Ahead of F1, Lotus already has its 1,000 hp Horse hybrid V8!
- Published on 14/11/2026 15:08
As F1 prepares for the return of the V8, Horse unveils its version for a future hybrid Lotus with over 1,000 hp.
The V8 clearly has not said its last word. As Formula 1 plans to roll out the red carpet for it again around 2030 or 2031, Horse Powertrain is already presenting its version. Named W40, this twin-turbo engine will equip the upcoming Lotus Type 135, a hybrid supercar expected to exceed 1,000 hp by 2028. On the calendar, the road car might therefore outpace the single-seaters!
The comparison obviously stops here: there is no technical affiliation with a future Grand Prix engine, whose regulations remain to be finalized. But between the paddock discussions and Lotus’s ambitions, this noble architecture seems to be on the rise. And electrification might well offer it a new field of expression.
More than 680 hp for the only V8
Unveiled on November 10, the W40 is a 4.0-liter V8 designed from the outset for hybrid propulsion. The internal combustion engine develops over 500 kW, or about 680 hp, and 800 Nm of torque, with a reported weight of 200 kg.
Its two turbochargers are positioned between the rows of cylinders, according to a “hot-V” layout. Direct injection, efforts on weight reduction, and shortened intake paths complete the recipe.
The promised 1,000 hp for the Lotus refers to the combined power of its hybrid system. Horse has not yet detailed the contribution of the electric part: it is therefore unnecessary to attribute all the horsepower to the eight cylinders.
A transmission to match
To accompany this V8, Horse has developed the 8LDCT, a hybrid gearbox with eight gears and a wet dual-clutch. It can handle up to 1,050 Nm on input and boasts a response time of less than 20 milliseconds during gear changes.
The whole setup will debut on the Type 135. It’s up to Lotus to turn this power into music. With eight cylinders, the score appears promising.
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This page is translated from the original post "En avance sur la F1, Lotus a déjà son V8 hybride Horse de 1 000 ch !" in French.
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