Drive technology Geely: New combustion engine with thermal efficiency of 46.5 percent

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Geely has unveiled its new hybrid car, the Galaxy Starship, in China. Despite its cosmic name, the vehicle is making waves right here on Earth. Notably, the combustion engine boasts an impressive thermal efficiency of 46.5 percent—figures that seem almost out of this world.

Currently, internal combustion engines (ICE) on the market typically have thermal efficiency rates between 30 and 35 percent. The newly developed ICE engine by Geely, a four-cylinder with a 1.5-liter displacement named "BHE15," has "the highest thermal efficiency in the world" with its 46.5 percent, according to the manufacturer. What is actually meant here is "on Earth" and not "in the world," because who knows what might be driving around in distant galaxies. Joking aside—it is quite impressive. After all, this is not a prototype, but an engine and a hybrid car, both of which are already being mass-produced. The first models rolled off the assembly line at the Geely plant in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, at the beginning of this month.

Low energy consumption

Accordingly, there was a lot of attention when Geely introduced its new hybrid car "Galaxy Starship 7" at the Guangzhou Auto Show (PR China) in early November. It is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Thanks to the economical engine, the vehicle has a fuel consumption of 3.75 liters per 100 kilometers (approx. 62 miles), according to Chinese specialist media. Currently, there is nothing more economical in this model class (A-Class, SUV) anywhere, neither on Earth nor, to current knowledge, in the universe.

In tests, the new engine even achieved consumption values starting with a two before the decimal point. Test vehicles achieved "ranges of 2,390 kilometers (1,485 miles) and an average fuel consumption of 2.62 liters per 100 kilometers (62 miles)," as reported by CNEVPOST, for example. Innovative in the design of the new combustion engine is, among other things, the "duckbill" design of the air intake pipe with a very specific, high angle, a novel, "mask-like" air guide system, and a piston bottom that better controls the airflow—all of which together increase combustion efficiency.

The newly developed electric drive, which Geely calls "Leishen EM-i," also known in English as "NordThor," reduces energy consumption in combination with the E-motor. It is an "11-in-1" Edrive called "DHT" with silicon carbide modules, which, due to the high integration level of its components, reduces their overall weight in the vehicle by 13.5 percent, thus—along with other technical details—further reducing fuel consumption.

Competition to BYD

The name of the new electric drive already signals that Geely intends a frontal attack on its competitor BYD. The new Edrive mimics the naming of BYD's "DM-i," whose energy efficiency of 46.06 percent was previously considered leading. BYD's hybrid vehicles are very popular among car buyers due to their low fuel consumption, which in certain models under certain conditions has also already reached the low value of 2.9 liters per 100 km (62 miles).

BYD sold more than 2.4 million EVs and hybrids from January to September this year, making it China's largest car manufacturer. Geely sold 546,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in the same period. However, Geely's popularity among car buyers is currently growing very rapidly.

Rebirth of the combustion engine?

The new Geely engine with the new world record in thermal efficiency is another example of the “rebirth of the combustion engine” in Asia. Not only BYD and Geely are investing large sums in their research & development in China to develop increasingly efficient engines, especially for hybrid vehicles. Toyota in Japan is also pursuing this strategy.

Both countries are currently working hard on the electrification of the automotive industry, but at the same time, it is known that many consumers still do not find enough charging stations to feel truly comfortable with a purely battery-electric vehicle. The sales of hybrids in China are growing faster than the sales of purely electric vehicles (Battery Electric Vehicles, BEV).

The Japanese and Chinese are also united by the pragmatic approach that advanced, efficient combustion engines can make an important contribution to climate protection. As long as combustion engines are still needed and can therefore be sold, there is no reason not to make them as energy-efficient as possible, argue car managers in both Asian countries.

Incidentally, Geely's new "Galaxy Starship 7" can be fueled with both gasoline and methanol. The hybrid car costs between 109,800 and 142,800 Chinese Yuan in various configurations with different battery capacities, which is equivalent to just over 14,500 (15,230 USD) to around 18,900 euros (19,850 USD). If that's not all intergalactically cool, then we don't know what is anymore. (se)

*Henrik Bork, longtime China correspondent for the German 'Süddeutsche Zeitung' and the 'Frankfurter Rundschau', is Managing Director at Asia Waypoint, a consultancy specializing in China, based in Beijing.

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