Chery Holding’s new power source brand, RLEY Power Technology, was presented in the fall, and at the same time, the start-up test of the company’s first mass-produced diesel-hybrid engine was also successfully completed. The 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel unit was specially designed for hybrid powertrains and was the first in China to reach the mass production phase in this category. The milestone marks a new direction in diesel-hybrid developments and is an important milestone in Chery’s performance-oriented resource matrix.
A strategic step in diesel-hybrid developments
The new brand was created jointly by Chery and Quanchai Power, with the aim of introducing a modern diesel-hybrid system into the company’s power supply. The cooperation brings together Chery’s powertrain development experience, Quanchai’s accumulated knowledge in diesel engine production, and the city’s industrial development support. The model combines government guidance, cooperation between industry players and a market approach, which enables rapid technological maturity and industrial-scale production.
The new diesel-hybrid engine focuses on reducing mechanical losses and on the control side on fast and precise reactions. The regulation, specially optimized for hybrid systems, creates a balance between performance, consumption and ride comfort that can be well adapted to various areas of use.
High efficiency, compact design, fine operation
During the development, a modern combustion chamber design, electronically controlled, high-pressure common pipe injection, an efficient turbocharger and a variable volume flow oil pump were used. By reducing frictional losses and optimizing the bearings, the engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 47% even under heavy load. The reduction of harmful emissions is ensured by the built-in EGR module and the direct placement of the exhaust gas treatment, which results in quick response and clean operation.
The mass and space requirement of hybrid drives is a serious challenge, so the developers paid special attention to the light structure and the integrated design of the components. The integration of multi-functional units reduces the number of parts, and modern, high-strength lightweight materials reduce weight. Thanks to the combined structural arrangement and topological optimization, the engine is about 10% lighter than previous generations.
The frequent start-stop characteristic of hybrid systems presents a specific acoustic and vibrational challenge. In the case of the new engine, these were already addressed in the design phase: as a result of computer simulations and combustion chamber optimizations, lower noise and vibration levels are achieved, which ensures balanced operation even during mode switching.
Tailored to the needs of global use
The diesel-hybrid system first appears in the RELY P3X model, which was presented at the Chengdu Motor Show in August. High efficiency and low consumption are an advantage in vehicle markets where long-term use or versatile use is the main consideration. According to the manufacturer, the thermal efficiency and the range of more than 1,300 kilometers mark a new dimension in diesel engine hybrid technology and highlight that the hybrid drive can not only be interpreted with gasoline engines.
Chery’s goal is to be present in traditional gasoline engine, electrified and now diesel-hybrid technology as well, thereby building a comprehensive powertrain portfolio. The launch of RLEY Power completes this structure and also contributes to strengthening the international presence of Chinese diesel technology.
Source: cherycvglobal.com
GÉPmax Knowledge base: Diesel-hybrid – A hybrid powertrain where the electric motor(s) and the battery work together with a diesel engine: the diesel provides the range and the efficiency under heavy load, and the electric assistance improves the reaction during starting, acceleration and mode changes, can reduce consumption and the sensation of noise and vibration; it can be especially beneficial for many start-stops, towing or long-term operation.
