Geely’s new V6 could spawn a V8 if buyers demand it

Geely’s new hybrid-friendly V6 petrol engine developed in collaboration with Renault could be expanded into a V8 if market demand requires it, opening the door to even more powerful future models, including large pick-ups aimed at markets like the United States.

Revealed at this week’s Beijing Motor Show, the new Horse Powertrain ‘W30’ V6 is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol engine designed from the outset for hybrid systems.

The engine itself produces between 350-400kW of power and 600-700Nm of torque before electric assistance from mild or full hybrid systems are added.

The mill has been engineered with modularity in mind, allowing Geely to scale up the cylinder count and displacement if needed.

“We can [turn it into a V8], but it depends on the needs from the market,” Geely Holding Company executive vice-president and spokesperson Victor Yang told carsales.

“A V6 to a V8: that’s easy. If [we] have a V6, it is easy to make a bigger one.”

However, Yang reflected that the additional power delivery from the hybrid systems that will supplement the core V6 engine probably mean a V8 is not necessary.

He referenced the new Zeekr 8X large SUV, which will launch with a four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine supplemented by a dual- or triple-motor PHEV system.

“You see the Zeekr 8X with a two-litre engine and battery is very powerful already – you can drive it in different road conditions [and] that means we may not need a V8,” he said.

Still, the door remains open for an eight-cylinder version if needed in future to support even larger, heavier vehicles than Riddara’s incoming V6-powered Ford Ranger rival.

One scenario could be a full-size pick-up that would compete with the Ford F-150. Geely is openly exploring an entry into the United States designed around models that would be appropriate for the North American market.

A V8 could also serve to differentiate higher-end products under the Zeekr or Lynk & Co brands in future, particularly as Geely looks to push the former into more premium territory.

Competitive pressure could also play a role. Key Chinese rival GWM announced at last year’s Shanghai motor show that it was developing a new V8 engine, while Toyota used the 2025 Tokyo show to confirm it was doing the same.

Horse Powertrain has confirmed the first models featuring the new V6 engine launch in 2028, forming the basis of a wave of high-end hybrid models across Geely.

While a V8 derivative has not been confirmed, Geely’s confirmation that it can develop one if required shows a flexible approach.

For Australia, the hybrid V6 is expected to become the focus in two years’ time, with the powertrain expected to underpin an important new ute model.

*Lead image generated by AI

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