Lotus will power its upcoming Esprit supercar with a new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine built by Horse Powertrain. The engine, called the Horse W40, produces 670 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque on its own. Combined with a hybrid system, the total output reaches at least 986 horsepower.
The W40 uses a hot-V configuration, placing its turbos between the cylinder banks rather than on the sides. Despite this complexity, the engine weighs just 441 pounds.
Horse Powertrain also built the transmission pairing with the engine. The Horse 8LDCT is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic with a sports car-grade wet dual clutch. The gearbox claims sub-20-millisecond shift responses and features a silicon-carbide control system and variable-displacement mechanical pump.
Horse designed the engine from the ground up with hybrid integration in mind. The Esprit, codenamed Type 135, will debut the new powertrain. Lotus plans to reveal and launch the model in 2028.