Horse Powertrain has revealed its first production-ready V8 engine, the HORSE W40, a 4.0-litre powertrain developed specifically for high-performance hybrid vehicle platforms.
Weighing 200kg, the engine delivers peak power exceeding 500kW and maximum torque of 800Nm.
Designed for longitudinal installation, the W40 features twin top-mounted turbochargers in a ‘hot-V’ configuration. Its architecture combines direct fuel injection, lightweighting measures and a shortened turbocharger intake path to achieve high power and torque density.
Horse Powertrain says the engine’s combination of strong low-speed torque and high peak output makes it suitable for applications including sports cars, pick-up trucks and off-road vehicles.
The W40 has been developed as a hybrid-first engine, with integration considered from the outset alongside Horse Powertrain’s new HORSE 8LDCT transmission.
“The HORSE W40 marks another landmark achievement for Horse Powertrain’s engineering teams, with our world-class technology powering one of the most power-dense V8s in automotive history,” said Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain.
“This hybrid-first engine has been built with our company’s full-powertrain perspective and expertise, designed for integration from the outset with our landmark HORSE 8LDCT transmission. In powering the Lotus Type 135, Horse Powertrain is both advancing the state of the art of automotive engineering while making a historic contribution to the world-renowned Lotus brand.”
Eight-speed hybrid transmission
The 8LDCT is an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission featuring a wet clutch system designed for high-performance applications. It offers a maximum torque input of 1,050Nm, with a pre-fill time of less than 50ms and shift response below 20ms.
Its integrated silicon carbide control system and power module support the transmission’s electronic control requirements, while a variable-displacement mechanical pump contributes to its hydraulic operation. The combination is designed to deliver rapid gear changes and accommodate the torque characteristics of high-performance hybrid powertrains.
The W40 and 8LDCT will make their world debut as an integrated powertrain in the forthcoming Lotus Type 135, the marque’s first supercar.
“We are excited to partner with Horse Powertrain to bring its advanced V8 engine and hybrid transmission technology to the upcoming Lotus Type 135,” added Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus. “The HORSE W40 V8 engine and 8LDCT hybrid transmission represent significant advances in powertrain engineering, combining exceptional power and torque density with a highly integrated design.
“By bringing these technologies together with Lotus’ expertise in lightweight engineering and chassis dynamics, we aim to deliver a new generation of supercar performance, combining outstanding power, efficiency, and the precise, engaging driving experience that defines Lotus.”
