Horse Powertrain has pulled the covers off a significant new chapter in its engineering story with the reveal of the HORSE W30, the company’s first production-ready V6 engine. Unveiled ahead of the Beijing Auto Show 2026, the new powertrain signals a decisive step into higher-performance hybrid applications, combining lightweight engineering with substantial power output and next-generation efficiency.
Designed as a 3-litre V6 intended for both mild- and full-hybrid vehicles, the HORSE W30 delivers an impressive output range of 350–400kW and torque figures between 600–700Nm. It is capable of revving up to 8,000rpm, positioning it firmly in performance territory while still adhering to the efficiency demands of modern electrified mobility. At just 160kg, it also claims the title of the lightest V6 in its class, weighing roughly 10kg less than its nearest competitor.
Much of this weight reduction comes from Horse Powertrain’s deliberate transfer of expertise from its established three- and four-cylinder engine programmes into the more complex V6 architecture. The result is an engine that is not only lighter but also engineered with hybrid integration at its core, rather than adapted for it after the fact.
Packaging flexibility is another defining feature of the HORSE W30. It can be configured in both transverse and longitudinal layouts, allowing manufacturers to integrate it across a broad range of vehicle platforms. Its 90-degree cylinder bank arrangement lowers the centre of gravity, enhancing vehicle dynamics while also improving installation efficiency and catalyst positioning.
Efficiency gains are further reinforced through integrated exhaust manifolds with turbochargers mounted directly onto the cylinder heads, reducing energy loss and improving thermal management. Every design choice appears to have been made with hybrid optimisation in mind, from combustion efficiency to system integration.
Horse Powertrain will showcase the W30 alongside its new HORSE 4LDHT four-speed hybrid transmission, a system designed specifically to complement the engine’s hybrid-first philosophy. The transmission itself weighs 199kg and supports a P1 + P3 motor configuration. In this setup, the P1 motor assists the crankshaft and battery charging with up to 300kW output, while the P3 motor delivers up to 450kW in driving support configurations, reinforcing the system’s performance credentials.
According to Horse Powertrain CEO Matias Giannini, the W30 represents a shift in how the industry can approach powertrain development, with shared innovation and consolidated engineering pipelines enabling broader access to advanced technologies. CTO Fortune Zhao further emphasised the platform’s versatility, highlighting its compact design, reduced weight and performance capabilities as key differentiators in the V6 segment.
The HORSE W30 and accompanying 4LDHT transmission are scheduled to enter production vehicles by 2028, marking the beginning of their real-world deployment in hybrid models. Their official public debut will take place at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, where Horse Powertrain will present its broader strategic vision and next-generation hybrid technologies.
