New Horse V8 confirmed for Lotus supercar
Type 135 will get Horse's first eight-cylinder engine, plus a new dual-clutch - and at least 680hp...
Even in the good times, confirmation of a new V8 engine would be quite exciting. In a world where we’re meant to be giddy about inverters, battery chemistry and regen, it’s borderline exhilarating. And that’s what we have right here: the W40 is the first eight-cylinder unit from Horse Powertrain, a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 designed to work with the company’s new 8LDCT dual-clutch.
The news gets better, too, as the hot-V W40 has been confirmed as the engine for the Lotus Type 135 supercar. It sounds an ideal fit, weighing 200kg and offering maximum outputs of more than 679hp (500kW) and 590lb ft. Horse has developed this new V8 with electrification in mind, the design ‘optimised for high-performance hybrid vehicle platforms.’ In the modern supercar fashion, it seems likely that the Type 135 will have a bit of battery boost somewhere - heaven forbid a new exotic goes on sale with less than 700hp - but those details haven’t been confirmed yet. The dual clutch, which can shift in 20 milliseconds, is rated for up to 774lb ft, so the hardware is certainly capable of handling more.
There’s plenty to the W40 to be eager about, too, from ‘extensive lightweighting techniques’ to a shortened intake path for the brace of blowers. Even without a hybrid helping hand, it should be a responsive 4.0, with ‘unparalleled power and torque density’ promised. This capacity has become the go-to size for a V8 of late, with a nice round 500cc for each cylinder - think about the AMG and Audi/Porsche/Lambo equivalent - so it’ll be interesting to see how Horsepower (sorry) compares.
CEO Matias Giannini has called the V8 “another landmark achievement” for the company. Certainly it’s a bit more interesting than yet another four-pot. Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng added: “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.” With electric having not really worked and the old V6 not special enough for a flagship, this new 4.0-litre sounds like an ideal fit for a Hethel hypercar - over to you, Lotus…
I m not sure Lotus have the brand to carry that kind of price tag against the usual suspects. Maserati, McLaren, Aston Martin etc aren t exactly flying out of the door.
Otherwise the actual product sounds exciting!
so this will be yet another 'fat' supercar of 1600-1700 kg
sigh
this will be a direct competitor to a Mclaren won't it ?so it will have to compete on price
Another 4.0 hot-v turbo V8 that'll deliver it's power with all the charisma of a slightly faulty electric motor and the same blurry flatulent blaring sound track as every other 4.0 turbo V8. All ready for installation into another 1.8 ton "sports car".
Hurrah, I suppose?
so this will be yet another 'fat' supercar of 1600-1700 kg
sigh
this will be a direct competitor to a Mclaren won't it ?so it will have to compete on price
Another 4.0 hot-v turbo V8 that'll deliver it's power with all the charisma of a slightly faulty electric motor and the same blurry flatulent blaring sound track as every other 4.0 turbo V8. All ready for installation into another 1.8 ton "sports car".
Hurrah, I suppose?
If the latter, then shurley there's no reason on Earth why it should cost more than a 296 GTB, is there..?
The word is surely..
They announce the Evija that, at the time, won the "numbers war" against other established EV hyper cars and looked amazing, but people moaned that a Lotus shouldn't be battery powered.
6 years later Lotus announce a new ICE model with circa 700bhp and people are actually whinging that it might not be as good as a Mclaren/Ferrari/Lambo or whatever, might cost more than an Emira (duh!) and might not sound as good as a V8 from decades ago (yeah, none of them do these days, deal with it).
Just be grateful that it's even being considered.
Imagine a sonorous, high-revving (8k+), n/a V8 with at least an Emira-beating 450hp in a car about 1,350kg wet. You could pitch it as a junior T.50, there would surely be demand as there is basically nothing like it on offer nowadays whereas boosted hot-V 4.0 V8s are literally everywhere.
But then, I'm just another forum numpty who knows naff all about building and selling supercars so why the hell should they listen to me*?
*Having said that, I have definitely lost less money in the supercar business than Lotus has
They announce the Evija that, at the time, won the "numbers war" against other established EV hyper cars and looked amazing, but people moaned that a Lotus shouldn't be battery powered.
6 years later Lotus announce a new ICE model with circa 700bhp and people are actually whinging that it might not be as good as a Mclaren/Ferrari/Lambo or whatever, might cost more than an Emira (duh!) and might not sound as good as a V8 from decades ago (yeah, none of them do these days, deal with it).
Just be grateful that it's even being considered.
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