Horse Powertrain develops new hybrid V8 powertrain

Nov 10, 2026 10:30 CET

• Horse Powertrain announces HORSE W40, the company’s first V8 engine

• 4-liter HORSE W40 can achieve peak output of over 500kW, with maximum torque of 800Nm

• Designed as a hybrid-first V8, HORSE W40 is designed for integration with the newly revealed HORSE 8LDCT transmission

• HORSE 8LDCT is an eight-speed dual-clutch hybrid transmission with a maximum torque of 1,050Nm

• Engine and transmission to debut in upcoming Lotus Type 135 – the brand’s very first supercar

• HORSE 8LDCT is an eight-speed dual-clutch hybrid transmission with a maximum torque of 1,050Nm

• Engine and transmission to debut in upcoming Lotus Type 135 – the brand’s very first supercar

London, UK (10 November 2026) – Horse Powertrain, a global leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, has today revealed its first production-ready V8 engine: the HORSE W40.

The HORSE W40 is a 4.0L, 8-cylinder engine optimized for high-performance hybrid vehicle platforms. The HORSE W40 is one of the most power-dense V8 solutions available on the market today – weighing just 200kg, its peak power output is over 500kW with a maximum torque of 800Nm. The engine’s ability to deliver exceptional low-end torque along with high peak power makes it an ideal solution for sports cars, pick-up trucks, and off-road vehicles.

Designed for longitudinal layouts and featuring twin top-mounted turbochargers in a “hot-V” configuration, the HORSE W40 brings together numerous technologies from across the Horse Powertrain portfolio to achieve unparalleled power and torque density. This is enabled by features such as the HORSE W40’s advanced direct fuel injection systems, use of extensive lightweighting techniques, and its shortened intake path for its turbochargers.

To complement the HORSE W40 and cement it as the leading hybrid engine for top-end vehicles, Horse Powertrain has developed the HORSE 8LDCT transmission. This eight-speed transmission features a sportscar-grade wet dual clutch, achieving a world-class pre-fill time of <50ms and delivering a shift response of <20ms. Featuring a built-in silicon carbide control system and power module, along with a variable-displacement mechanical pump, the HORSE 8LDCT supports a peak torque input of up to 1,050Nm.

The HORSE W40 and HORSE 8LDCT will make their world debut as an integrated set in Lotus’s upcoming Type 135 supercar – the brand’s first entry into the category.

Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain, said: “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. 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.”

Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus, said: “We are excited to partner with Horse Powertrain to bring its advanced V8 engine and hybrid transmission technology to the upcoming Lotus Type 135. 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.”

ENDS

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