Horse Powertrain, a joint venture between Geely and Renault, has unveiled the W40, a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. The unit features a hot-V configuration and direct injection, weighing approximately 200 kilograms. It produces 671 hp and 800 Nm of torque, designed primarily for high-performance hybrid vehicles.
The engine will debut in the upcoming Lotus Type 135, expected to be the successor to the Esprit. This supercar is slated for a 2028 release and is projected to deliver over 1,000 horsepower in its hybrid configuration. Lotus aims for a curb weight of approximately 1,500 kilograms for the vehicle, utilizing a conventional hybrid system.
The W40 engine is paired with a new eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission developed by the joint venture. This gearbox supports up to 1,050 Nm of torque and achieves gear changes in under 20 milliseconds. The transmission also features a pre-fill time of less than 50 milliseconds to minimize shift delays.
Beyond the Lotus Esprit, the W40 engine may be utilized by other brands within the Geely automotive group, such as Volvo, Polestar, and Zeekr. The engine is engineered as a hybrid-first platform, intended to integrate with electric motors to meet performance and emissions standards. An entry-level version of the Esprit with a V6 engine is also planned.
