LONDON: Horse Powertrain has revealed its first production-ready V8 engine: the Horse W40.
The Horse W40 is a 4.0-litre eight-cylinder engine optimised for high-performance hybrid vehicle platforms.
It is one of the most power-dense V8 solutions available on the market today – weighing just 200kg, its peak power output is over 500kW (680PS) with a maximum torque of 800Nm.
The global leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems says 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.
Horse Powertrain has operations in Europe, China, and the Americas, and employs over 19,000 people across 18 plants and five research and development (R&D) centres.
Its 25 customers include Renault Group, Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Proton, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
Horse Powertrain is headquartered in London, UK.
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 light-weighting 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.
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.
Horse Powertrain CEO Matias Giannini 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.”
Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng 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.”
