The name W40 can mean very different things depending on who you ask. Some might associate it with a nuclear warhead, the Wanderer W40 sedan from the Auto Union era, or the original Toyota Celica's W40 manual transmission. Horse Powertrain, however, wants the designation to mean something considerably more exciting: a V8 packing nearly 700 horsepower.
The Geely-Renault joint venture is introducing a newly developed 4.0-liter engine with the turbochargers mounted between the cylinder banks in a "hot vee" configuration. This arrangement shortens the intake and exhaust paths and creates a more compact package. The engine also uses direct injection and lightweight materials to keep its mass down to approximately 200 kilograms (441 pounds).
Developed primarily for high-performance hybrid cars, the engine produces 671 hp and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque on its own. Add one or more electric motors, and the combined output will be considerably higher. Horse Powertrain confirms that the engine will power the Lotus Type 135, which all signs point to becoming the revived Esprit. Name aside, we already know the supercar will deliver more than 1,000 horsepower, with the V8 alone accounting for well over half of that output.
The engine doesn't come alone; Geely and Renault also developed a new eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission. It supports up to 1,050 Nm (774 lb-ft) of torque and delivers lightning-fast gear changes in less than 20 milliseconds. The DCT will work alongside the V8 in the new Esprit, which is scheduled to debut in 2028.
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