HORSE technologies engines to power 2026 Caterham Academy cars

Horse Technologies, a division of Horse Powertrain and a leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, has signed an agreement to supply engines for the 2026 Caterham Academy series.

The 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder ‘HR13’ turbo engine will power vehicles competing in its 2026 Academy Championship. Featuring direct injection technology, the high-performance gasoline engine with bespoke tuning will be able to deliver peak power of 130bhp (132PS) and a peak torque of 176Nm at 5,150rpm.

HR13 utilises a delta-shaped cylinder head to save mass and space, lower the centre of gravity, and improve thermal management of the engine. The exhaust manifolds are directly cast into the head for faster turbo response and exceptional low speed torque delivery.

The Caterham Academy is a unique championship exclusively for novice drivers. Established in 1995, its aim is to introduce anyone to the world of motorsport and enable them to realise their dream of becoming a racing driver. Today, the series is considered one of Britain’s most successful and over 1,400 drivers have competed in it.

 Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Powertrain, said: “It’s a privilege for us to supply our HR13 engine for the 2026 Caterham Academy Championship. Caterham is an iconic brand in the automotive and racing world, with a rich history and this is a unique opportunity to collaborate in their mission to discover the next generation of racing talent in the 2026 Academy series.”

Patrice Haettel, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Technologies, said: “We are very proud to see our technology achieve this new milestone. This collaboration with Caterham is a world-first application of the Horse Technologies HR13 engine to the world of racing, and reflects the performance, reliability, and expertise that drive everything we do.”

Bob Laishley, Chief Executive Officer of Caterham said: “The Caterham Academy has successfully introduced more than 1,400 rookie racing drivers to motorsport in the UK over the last 30 years. We’re very pleased to confirm our new partnership with Horse Technologies and look forward to working with their team on the introduction of this new turbo engine to our competitive rookie series from next season.”

The HR13 is produced at Horse Technologies’ Valladolid Motores plant in Spain.