Chery’s motor subsidiary Acteco has built a 1.5-liter gasoline engine tailored for hybrid vehicles, claiming it reaches 44.5% peak thermal efficiency—a figure that would place it among the most efficient internal-combustion units in mass production.
How the 1.5 TGDI DHE works
The engine, coded H4J15, displaces 1,498 cc and produces 143 hp at 5,200 rpm and 215 Nm of torque at 2,500 rpm. It weighs 106 kg and is branded DHE—Dedicated Hybrid Engine—because it was designed from the ground up for hybrid powertrains, not retrofitted from a conventional block.
A 14.5:1 compression ratio and a Deep Miller combustion cycle extend the power stroke and cut pumping losses. Variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust, direct fuel injection at 350 bar, and a high-energy ignition system (120 mJ) sharpen combustion timing. Water-cooled intercooling, adaptive lubrication, and friction-reducing coatings help the engine reach and hold its most efficient operating temperature quickly.
What 44.5% thermal efficiency means
Thermal efficiency measures the share of fuel energy converted into useful work. Most gasoline engines average 25-30%. The 1.5 TGDI’s 44.5% rating suggests it can deliver the same output with roughly 30% less fuel than a typical unit, assuming identical conditions.
That efficiency gain is most noticeable in hybrid operation, where the engine frequently runs at steady, optimal loads rather than across the full rev range.
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Integration with Chery’s hybrid system
The 1.5 TGDI pairs with Chery’s SHS hybrid architecture, which includes electric motors, a battery pack, and two dedicated hybrid transmissions. The 1DHT transmission, used in the Omoda 5 and 7 SHS and the Jaecoo 5 and 7 SHS, has a single gear for the gasoline engine. The 3DHT transmission, found in the Omoda 9 SHS and Jaecoo 8 SHS, adds two more ratios to keep the engine closer to its sweet spot at higher speeds.
In urban driving, the system can run electric-only. When the gasoline engine kicks in, it can either drive the wheels directly, assist the electric motor, or recharge the battery, depending on demand and state of charge.
For drivers, the engine’s efficiency should translate into lower fuel bills and longer electric-only range between charges. The trade-off is that the engine’s high compression and precise combustion control may require higher-octane fuel in some markets, though Chery has not yet specified regional fuel-grade recommendations.
The 1.5 TGDI is already installed across the entire SHS hybrid lineup of Omoda and Jaecoo, the two brands under Chery’s global umbrella.
