Lotus plans to take on Ferrari with the new Esprit. The new hybrid supercar, codenamed Type 135, will rival the 849 Testarossa.
As per media reports, the new Esprit will get a hybrid V8 with over 1000 hp. Fresh details about the internal combustion engine have now surfaced online.
The new W40 engine is being developed by Horse Powertrain. It is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, featuring a “hot-vee” layout, where the turbos are placed between the two cylinder banks. The company claims that it weighs 200 kg and will be one of the most power-dense engines on the market. More specifically, it is said to deliver 662 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, thus contributing more than half of the combined output of the hybrid powertrain.
The 4.0L V8 hybrid will be paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The transmission is also being developed by Horse. It has an integrated electric motor and is capable of handling up to 774 lb-ft of torque.
The Lotus Esprit is also expected to get an entry-level variant, featuring a V6 hybrid powertrain developed by Horse.
Source: Autocar
