Karry
Wanda
On September 13, Chery Holding’s new powertrain technology brand, RLEY Power Technology (Anhui) Co., Ltd., was officially inaugurated. At the same event, its independently developed 2.5-liter turbocharged dedicated diesel hybrid engine, China’s first to reach mass production, successfully completed its ignition test. Together, these milestones set a new benchmark for diesel hybrid technology and mark a major step forward in Chery’s full spectrum powertrain matrix.
Government–enterprise collaboration: RLEY Power takes on Chery’s “Leading Power” mission
At the ceremony, Zhang Xiang’an, Vice Chairman of the Anhui Provincial CPPCC; Wu Jin, Secretary of the Chuzhou Municipal Party Committee; Yin Tongyue, Chairman of Chery Holding Group Co., Ltd.; and Xie Li, Chairman of Quanchai Group, jointly unveiled RLEY Power. In his remarks, Chairman Yin noted that RLEY Power’s entry into the diesel engine field is both a strategic act of independent innovation and a way to fill the brand’s powertrain gap with high performance diesel engines establishing a new benchmark for “Leading Power.”
As a strategic brand jointly created by Chery, Quanchai Power and the Chuzhou municipal government, RLEY Power was born with a core mission: to close Chery’s product gap in diesel hybrid power and help build a comprehensive power matrix covering “gasoline + diesel + new energy.” Under a model of government guidance, industry leadership and market driven operation, the brand integrates Chery’stechnological know-how, Quanchai’s diesel power manufacturing expertise and Chuzhou’s industrial policy support to endow its products with reliability and efficiency from day one, paving the way for rapid industrialization and market adoption.
Technological breakthroughs: multi-dimensional innovations that strengthen the engine’s core performance
As China’s first mass-produced dedicated diesel hybrid engine, it adopts a highly efficient and simplified mechanical layout to reduce parasitic losses, pairs this with comprehensive electronic controls for precise response, and adds hybrid specific calibration. The result is a well balanced blend of power output, fuel economy and ride comfort that gives diesel hybrid powertrains a differentiated edge.
Leveraging advanced technologies,high-efficiency combustion, electronically controlled high-pressure common rail, an efficient turbocharger, a fully variable displacement oil pump and low friction bearing shells, the engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 47% even under high load operation, meeting both performance and fuel saving goals. An integrated EGR module and close coupled aftertreatment system precisely control emissions, ensuring clean operation and highlighting its low carbon credentials.
To meet hybrids’ stringent requirements for mass and packaging, the engine makes key strides in light weighting and compact design. The R&D team adopted an integrated architecture to consolidate multi-function modules, cutting part count and assembly space; employed high strength lightweight materials in place of conventional metals to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity; and used a compact overall layout with component topology optimization to remove mass from non-load-bearing areas.
Testing shows the engine is about 10% lighter than previous generation competitors, improving vehicle efficiency and giving OEMs greater packaging flexibility.
Comfort is another core highlight. Through CAE driven analysis and iterative optimization of structure and combustion characteristics, operating vibration and noise were reduced from the design stage. Special calibration also addresses hybrids’ frequent start stop and mode switching behavior, further enhancing smoothness and laying the groundwork for a comfortable driving experience.
The realization of these technological achievements not only demonstrates Chery’s powertrain technology capabilities, but also translates RLEY Power’s vision of “leading diesel-hybrid technology and delivering top-tier powertrain solutions” into tangible productivity, injecting new vitality into the global diesel-hybrid market.
Global adaptability: “high power + low fuel consumption” for diverse market needs
According to current plans, the engine will be installed first in the RELY P3X, which appeared together with the vehicle at the Chengdu International Auto Show in August. Its combination of strong performance and fuel efficiency is tailored to household, commercial and off-road use cases, bolstering the model’s competitiveness in overseas markets.
From an industry perspective, a 47% thermal efficiency and a potential range exceeding 1,300 km not only chart a new path toward lower carbon diesel power, but also challenge the long held notion that hybrids are only suited to gasoline engines, offering fresh ideas for technology upgrades across the sector.
Chairman Yin remarked: “We aim to hold two strategic positions. First, to consolidate national leadership in diesel engines while breaking new ground and reaching new technological heights. Second, in application development and economic value creation, to maintain domestic leadership while simultaneously expanding overseas, building a strong competitive moat with concrete results at home and abroad.”
From gasoline power to new energy and now to efficient diesel hybrids Chery is building a full scenario power ecosystem via parallel technology paths.
The launch of RLEY Power not only completes a vital link in Chery’s power portfolio, but will also help bring Chinese diesel power technology to the global stage, contributing a “Chery Solution” to the auto industry’s low carbon transition.