Bio-Hybrid Technology Is Stellantis' ANSWER To Maintain Gasoline Machines

The new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is the winner of this year's Trophy Design given by Automobile Magazine. (Doc. Stellantis)

JAKARTA - The internal combustion engine (internal combustion engine - ICE) is not going to die, especially outside Europe and America. Automotive manufacturer Stellantis announced a new investment of 5.6 billion euros for powertrain development, with one of its biggest goals being the application of Bio-Hybrid technology.

Reporting from CarBuzz, March 8, Bio-Hybrid, as the name suggests, is a combination of electrification and flex-fuel engines that use biofuels such as ethanol. This will include powertrains with plug-in hybrid functionality, multiple coupling transmission, and pure electric vehicles.

This technology is being developed at the Stellantis Automotive Hub in East Betim, Brazil, for the global market. This facility will also produce new pure electric vehicles in the future. This new hybrid technology is promised to be available starting later this year.

"Four global platforms related to Bio-Hybrid technology will be implemented - more than 40 models, in addition to eight new powertrains and electrification applications," said Emanuel Cappellano, COO Stellantis South America, in an official statement from the company.

There is no detailed explanation of the types of vehicles and powertrains to be presented. However, with the large number of powertrains and new vehicle models promised, it is estimated that they will cover various segments, ranging from small city cars to medium pickups and even full-sized commercial vehicles.

This investment demonstrates Stellantis' commitment to maintaining the gasoline engine, although some may regret the end of the V8 engine in Dodge Charger.

Investasi yang dilakukan dari 2025 hingga 2030 ini bukan satu-satunya upaya Stellantis. Pada September tahun lalu, Stellantis mengumumkan bahwa banyak mobil mereka sudah koleng dengan bahan bakar sintetis. Besar kemungkinan mesin baru yang dikembangkan di Brasil juga akan tersebut.

The possibility of these new machines and products being offered in America is still unclear, but it is intended as a global product. That is, at least some products will be compatible with the US market.

Apart from that, Stellantis is taking a safe step by exploring various technologies. This flexibility may look like doubt, but this means they have many options for various brands, regardless of the future of the automotive industry.