Key Highlights

  • The Type 135 will debut the HORSE W40 V8 engine and HORSE 8LDCT transmission as an integrated hybrid powertrain.
  • The HORSE W40 is a 4.0-liter, eight-cylinder engine with peak output above 500 kW.
  • The eight-speed transmission uses a wet dual-clutch design with shift response under 20 milliseconds.
  • The Type 135 sits between the Emira and Evija in the Lotus range.

Lotus Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:LOT) has confirmed a Partnership with Horse Powertrain that will bring a new hybrid V8 powertrain to its forthcoming Type 135 sports car. The arrangement, reported on November 11, 2026, marks the world debut of the HORSE W40 V8 engine paired with the HORSE 8LDCT hybrid dual-clutch gearbox. The Type 135 is a mid-engine hybrid supercar and the brand's first model in the category between the Emira and the Evija. Hybrid powertrains combine an internal combustion engine with electric motors, and high-performance models use them to add output and reduce emissions compared with conventional designs. The Type 135 pairs a traditional V8 with electrification, a combination that is becoming more common in performance vehicles.

The Engine: HORSE W40

The HORSE W40 is a 4.0-liter, eight-cylinder engine developed for high-performance hybrid platforms. It weighs about 200 kilograms and produces peak power above 500 kilowatts, with maximum torque of 800 newton-metres.

Horse Powertrain presents the engine as one of the most power-dense V8 solutions on the market. The company also says its low-end torque and high peak power suit sports cars, pickup trucks and off-road vehicles.

Power density is a measure of how much output an engine produces for its weight or size. The company's description of the W40 as one of the most power-dense V8 solutions reflects the relationship between its 200-kilogram weight and its output above 500 kilowatts.

The Transmission: HORSE 8LDCT

The eight-speed HORSE 8LDCT uses a sportscar-grade wet dual-clutch system. Horse Powertrain reports a pre-fill time under 50 milliseconds and a shift response below 20 milliseconds. The design includes a built-in silicon carbide control system.

Together, the engine and gearbox are presented as a single integrated hybrid powertrain rather than two separate components.

A dual-clutch gearbox uses two clutches to pre-select gears, allowing shifts to occur quickly without interrupting power delivery. Pre-fill time and shift response are the measures that describe how quickly the clutch packs engage and how fast the gear change completes.

Positioning Within the Lotus Lineup

Lotus describes the Type 135 as the next chapter in its sports car performance, combining driver engagement with a hybrid V8 powertrain. The company says the model keeps the connection Emira owners have with the brand's mechanical handling, while moving toward the technical benchmark set by the Evija.

The update also notes that the lifestyle vehicle portfolio is broadening its customer base. It does not include pricing, production volumes or a launch date for the Type 135.

The Type 135 is designed to sit between two existing Lotus models, which allows the company to address a gap in its range. The update describes the model as a way to broaden the portfolio's customer base, a point that will be tested once pricing is disclosed.

Technical Partner and Development Context

Horse Powertrain is presented as a global supplier of low-emission powertrain systems. The partnership gives Lotus access to an engine and transmission developed for hybrid applications, rather than requiring the company to develop both components internally.

The announcement of a world debut indicates the partners have progressed beyond concept work. The update does not state the vehicle's development stage, the number of units planned or whether the powertrain will be used in other Lotus models.

Final Word

The Type 135 partnership gives Lotus a hybrid V8 platform sourced from an outside supplier, and the published specifications describe the engine and gearbox performance in detail. Pricing, production volumes and timing remain undisclosed. Those details will determine how the model fits within the Lotus lineup and the company's sales plans. The partnership and the technical details will be considered in light of the broader vehicle program once further information is released.