By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: Horse Powertrain has revealed the HORSE W30 — its first production-ready V6 engine — alongside a new four-speed hybrid transmission at the Beijing Auto Show 2026. The W30 is a 3.0-litre unit weighing 160 kg, configured for transverse or longitudinal installation, producing 350–400 kW and 600–700 Nm at up to 8,000 rpm, with first production vehicles due in 2028.
Key engineering takeaway: At 160 kg the W30 is claimed to be approximately 10 kg lighter than the nearest V6 competitor. A 90° cylinder bank offset lowers the centre of gravity and improves catalyst packaging; integrated exhaust manifolds with head-mounted turbochargers maximise thermal efficiency. The W30 pairs with the HORSE 4LDHT four-speed hybrid transmission in a P1+P3 configuration — P1 supporting the crankshaft (250–300 kW), P3 driving the wheels (350–450 kW).
Why it matters: As a hybrid-first V6 compatible with both transverse and longitudinal installations, the W30 extends Horse Powertrain’s offer beyond four-cylinder units and signals readiness to supply performance-tier hybrid powertrains to global OEM programmes from 2028.
Horse Powertrain, a global leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, has revealed the HORSE W30 — the company’s first production-ready V6 engine — ahead of the Beijing Auto Show 2026.
The HORSE W30 marks a first for Horse Powertrain, in transferring its expertise in developing optimised three- and four-cylinder engines into the V6 category. By deploying its expertise in this way, Horse Powertrain has developed the lightest V6 on the market and created a hybrid-first V6 with outstanding fuel economy and efficiency.
Horse Powertrain W30 Engine Specification
The HORSE W30 is a 3-litre engine that can be fitted in a transverse or longitudinal configuration, allowing it to be packaged in a wide variety of vehicles. The two rows of cylinders are offset at an angle of 90° to lower the engine’s centre of gravity, improving ease of installation and optimising catalyst layout.
The engine can output between 350–400 kW of power and 600–700 Nm of torque, with a maximum speed of 8,000 rpm. To maximise efficiency and fuel economy, the HORSE W30 features integrated exhaust manifolds with turbochargers mounted directly on the cylinder heads. The engine weighs just 160 kg, approximately 10 kg less than the next-lightest V6 engine on the market today.
The HORSE W30 is intended to be deployed in mild- and full-hybrid vehicles, with the first models featuring the engine reaching the roads in 2028. To show the hybrid-first mindset of the HORSE W30, the engine will be presented at Beijing alongside the new HORSE 4LDHT four-speed hybrid transmission.
HORSE 4LDHT hybrid transmission
The HORSE 4LDHT weighs just 199 kg and is designed to be mounted in a P1 + P3 configuration. The P1 motor used to support the engine crankshaft and charge the vehicle’s battery can output between 250–300 kW, with the P3 motor used to support driving capable of outputting between 350–450 kW in a P3 configuration.
Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Powertrain, said: “At Horse Powertrain, we believe we can offer automakers unprecedented economies of scale and innovation by consolidating the powertrain production and development pipeline that traditionally would have been replicated by many individual OEMs, allowing everyone in the industry to benefit from best-in-class technologies. The HORSE W30 is clear proof of this concept — bringing our mindset and expertise to a new category, we’ve developed the lightest V6 that was designed from the outset to support hybrid vehicles.”
Fortune Zhao, Chief Technology Officer of Horse Powertrain, said: “The HORSE W30 showcases Horse Powertrain’s technological versatility, and represents our first venture into the V6 engine category. Leveraging expertise from our wide portfolio of hybrid-first engines, the HORSE W30 is lighter and more compact than any other V6 currently on the market, all while delivering superior performance. As well as embodying our engineering sophistication, it also highlights our flexibility in providing hybrid solutions to every market.”
The HORSE W30 and HORSE 4LDHT will be available in 2028.
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