Horse reveals hybrid V8 powertrain
Horse Powertrain has unveiled its first V8 engine, the W40, a 4.0-liter, eight-cylinder engine optimized for high-performance hybrid vehicle platforms that the company says is one of the most power-dense V8 solutions available on the market.
Weighing 200kg, with a peak power output of over 500kW and a maximum torque of 800Nm, the engine has the ability to deliver exceptional low-end torque along with high peak power, which makes it an ideal solution for sports cars, pickup trucks, and off-road vehicles.
Designed for longitudinal layouts and featuring twin top-mounted turbochargers in a “hot-V” configuration, the 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 W40’s advanced direct fuel injection systems, use of extensive lightweighting techniques, and its shortened intake path for its turbochargers.
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.”
The 8LDCT transmission was developed to complement the W40. The 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 8LDCT supports a peak torque input of up to 1,050Nm.
The Horse W40 and 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.
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’s 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.”
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