When a carmaker wants to license hybrid tech, typically they get into bed with Toyota. For KGM Motors, however, they opted for BYD instead for three reasons: long-range capability, durability, and towing-friendly character.

Offered in the Acyton and Torres SUVs, this new Dual Tech Hybrid System combines a 1.5-liter turbo engine with an e-DHT hybrid transmission and in-series dual motors.

The petrol engine which acts primarily as an energy generator already produces healthy numbers—150 horsepower and 220 Nm of torque. It’s high-tech in that it employs a Miller-cycle to improve thermal efficiency, while also being equipped with a variable geometry turbo for responsiveness across the rev range. It also has a high fuel injection pressure (350 bar) for combustion efficiency and cylinder-block coatings for durability.

From there, the Dual Tech Hybrid System uses a dual-motor architecture derived from BYD’s plug-in hybrid system. One motor (P1) is attached directly to the engine’s crankshaft for start/stop and charging, while another (P3) is mounted close to the drive shaft offering either an efficient hybrid operation or electric-only driving. In this case, the P3 motor delivers an near-instant 177 horsepower (130 kW) and 300 Nm. Similar to BYDs, it swaps out its traditional 12-volt lead-acid battery for a long life 12-volt lithium-iron phosphate one.

Managing all this is the e-DHT which supports electric-only EV driving, series hybrid operation where the engine works primarily as a generator, and parallel hybrid and engine drive modes where the engine and motors combine or hand over depending on speed and load. The Dual Tech Hybrid System also achieves optimal power distribution by simultaneously carrying out charging and electric driving with the dual motors, allowing the system to recover more energy and redeploy it more intelligently in everyday use.

All-electric driving is possible up to 100 km/h and with a 1.83-kWh hybrid battery pack, it means being able to run on this mode for longer. On faster roads and highways, the high-output drive motor and gas engine work together to provide robust acceleration and efficient high-speed cruising.

To enhance efficiency even further, the Dual Tech Hybrid powertrain incorporates an adjustable regenerative braking system with three selectable levels of deceleration. Drivers can tailor the feel to suit their preferences, from a lighter, more conventional response to stronger braking that maximizes energy recovery and reduces reliance on the friction brakes. When Smart Regenerative Braking is activated, the system automatically adapts the level of regenerative deceleration according to the distance to the vehicle ahead, helping to make braking smoother in stop-start traffic while capturing as much energy as possible.