Off-road enthusiasts come in many stripes. There are those who don’t mind a little dust for the sake of outlandish rock climbing, and those who prefer the quiet serenity of the deep woods, despite mosquitoes and massive, biting flies. And then we have the waders – the drivers on lifted suspensions who can’t find a stream or river deep enough to keep the rubber dry. Aren’t there depth finders to take away the guesswork?
Horse Powertrain, the UK’s low-emission hybrid supplier, has a better engine solution than an adapted depth finder.
B20 Engine Isn’t Really About Horsepower
Horse Powertrain B20 waterproof engine hybridHorse Powertrain
The company’s new B20 four-cylinder engine displaces 2.0 liters, is turbocharged, and is capable of 248 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The performance specs might not sound noteworthy, but the innovation in this engine isn’t about zero to 60 mph times or a throaty exhaust note. No, Horse Powertrain’s B20 engine is waterproof, sealed up tight, ready to head for deep water.
Now, just because the engine can run with no problem in 43 inches (1.1 meters) of water, that doesn’t mean your door seals are equally suited for keeping your interior high and dry while you splash across a brisk, moving river. Horse Powertrain claims the B20 engine has an IPX8 rating, meaning it’s protected against continuous submersion in water deeper than 1 meter.
How Can It Stay Truly Watertight?
Keeping the B20 watertight meant using a fully sealed structure equipped with torsional vibration dampers and dedicated seals between the engine and transmission. All the electrical components and sensors are IPX8-rated to continuously monitor the operating environment.
“When the engine is submerged in water, the control system makes automatic adjustments such as limiting power or adjusting the throttle response, based on feedback signals from the sensors.”
This B20 2.0-liter engine was first showcased at the 2026 Beijing auto show as part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Geely Galaxy Cruiser 700 off-road vehicle, which is available in China only and is paired with Horse’s three-speed hybrid transmission.
That’s One Way To Keep An Engine Cool
Horse Powertrain B20 waterproof engine hybridHorse Powertrain
In addition to its impressive water-fording capabilities, the engine company says the direct-injected B20 can propel an off-road SUV or pickup truck up a 45-degree grade. The engine weighs 287 pounds and can also work as a range-extending generator for a battery-electric vehicle. The B20 runs on an advanced version of the Miller combustion cycle, enabling a brake thermal efficiency of 48.4% to improve emissions and fuel economy.
“The Horse B20 demonstrates how we are meeting the full range of market needs, delivering flexible engine and powertrain solutions designed for multiple use cases and applications,” said Ingo Scholten, Deputy Chief Technology Officer of Horse Powertrain.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Geely
With battery-electric vehicles facing an uncertain future, particularly in the US, internal-combustion engines will need to be more efficient, cleaner-burning, and capable across many use cases. Fording water is one of those applications, especially as flooding becomes a serious problem in many parts of the world.
But the B20 has other technical innovations as well, like high-tumble intake ports and pistons designed to enable a cleaner and faster combustion event. Perhaps Horse Powertrain is looking to license this design to major OEMs with the capacity to build millions of engines.
Horse Powertrain, though technically a new company established in 2024 under the Geely umbrella, actually has older roots with Renault. This engine is the latest from the brand, which has a growing portfolio of efficient and powerful powertrains.
