Product Launches
Horse Powertrain Unveils First V8 Engine, a Hybrid-First W40 for Lotus Type 135
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- Horse Powertrain revealed the HORSE W40, a 4.0L hybrid-first V8 producing over 500kW and 800Nm of torque at 200kg.
- The W40 pairs with the HORSE 8LDCT eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which supports up to 1,050Nm of torque.
- Both units will debut as an integrated set in the Lotus Type 135, the brand's first supercar.
- Horse Powertrain CEO Matias Giannini said the W40 is designed for integration with the 8LDCT from the outset.
Horse Powertrain has revealed the HORSE W40, its first production-ready V8 engine, a 4.0L hybrid-first unit producing over 500kW and 800Nm of torque, the company said on November 10, 2026. The engine and the new HORSE 8LDCT transmission will debut in the Lotus Type 135, the brand's first supercar, according to news.cision.com.
Inside the HORSE W40 and 8LDCT Pairing
Horse Powertrain said the W40 weighs 200kg and is designed for longitudinal layouts with twin top-mounted turbochargers in a hot-V configuration. The company lists sports cars, pick-up trucks and off-road vehicles as target applications, citing the engine's low-end torque and high peak power.
The HORSE 8LDCT is an eight-speed dual-clutch hybrid transmission with a sportscar-grade wet clutch, a pre-fill time of under 50ms and a shift response of under 20ms. It supports a peak torque input of up to 1,050Nm and includes a built-in silicon carbide control system and power module.
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."
Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Cars, 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." Lotus opened its Hethel manufacturing site to the public for its 60th anniversary, with about 1,600 attendees, the BBC reported on October 24, 2026.
Horse Powertrain's Hybrid Supply Deals
According to akta.pro company records, Horse Powertrain partnered with United Nova Technology in May 2026 to develop and supply IGBT and SiC power modules for hybrid systems over a five-year horizon. The same records show India approved a $370 million Horse Powertrain investment in June 2026 to manufacture hybrid powertrains at Renault's Chennai plant for Nissan and Renault vehicles.
Earlier Horse Powertrain Launches
Horse Powertrain unveiled the 3DHT200, a 13-in-1 PHEV drive system with a three-speed dedicated-hybrid transmission delivering up to 4920 Nm of wheel torque, CarNewsChina.com reported in September 2026. In August 2026, Autocar reported the company had unveiled the D20 Methanol, a range-extender powertrain pairing a 2.0-litre turbo engine designed for M100 methanol with an axial-flux motor-generator. Horse Powertrain was named to Gasgoo's Top 100 China New Automotive Supply Chain list for 2026 for its HORSE 3DHT230 hybrid electric drive, news.cision.com reported in November 2026.