This Breakthrough EV Motor Makes 1,000 Horsepower—And Fits Inside A Wheel. Say What?!

TL;DR: Hold onto your hats, gearheads! UK-based Yasa just dropped a prototype in-wheel electric motor that blasts out over 1,000 horsepower and can practically replace your brakes with its insane regenerative capabilities. This tiny, mighty motor could revolutionize EVs, making them lighter, faster, and more efficient.

Meta: UK-based Yasa has revealed a potentially game-changing in-wheel electric motor capable of over 1,000 hp, promising massive weight savings and incredible regenerative braking for future EVs.

Alright, alright, settle down, 'cause I'm about to drop some tech on you that'll make your head spin faster than a record on a turntable! You know how everyone's always talking about in-wheel motors for EVs, but they never quite make it to the big show? Well, UK startup Yasa just blew the doors off that conversation with a prototype in-wheel electric motor that's so powerful, it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. We're talking over 1,000 horsepower per wheel, baby! Can you dig it?

This ain't no joke, folks. Yasa, which is already known for those pancake-like axial flux motors in supercars like the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Lamborghini Temerario, just scaled their record-breaking tiny axial flux motor and shoved it inside a wheel. This bad boy, weighing just 28 pounds (that's lighter than my Sunday brunch!), can hit a continuous 536 hp (400 kW) and peak at a mind-boggling 1,005 hp (750 kW). That's enough power to make your grandma do donuts!

Regenerative Braking So Good, You Might Not Need Brakes

But wait, there's more! This motor doesn't just go fast; it stops fast too. Yasa claims its regenerative braking capabilities are so off the charts, it could potentially downsize or even eliminate rear physical brakes. Imagine that! Your car slowing down and charging itself, turning all that kinetic energy into more juice. It's like having your cake and eating it too, then having the cake pay you back!

And talk about efficiency! Because you don't need drive shafts, Yasa figures carmakers could shave off about 440 lbs (200 kg) from current EVs, or even a whopping 1,100 pounds for ground-up designs. Lighter car, more battery space, more range, more fun! This is the kind of breakthrough that makes you wanna stand up and shout! This system works in tandem with the world’s first dual inverter, developed in-house by Yasa, weighing only 33 lbs but handling a massive 1,500 kW. That’s a power-to-weight ratio that’ll make your head spin: 100 kW/kg, double what current state-of-the-art power electronics deliver.

The Future Is Now (Eventually)

Now, before you go trying to order one of these for your golf cart, Yasa says this is still in the R&D phase. It's a prototype, folks, not quite ready for your daily commute. But it clearly shows how in-wheel systems could lead to lighter, more efficient, and higher-performance electric vehicles down the road. Mercedes-Benz, who now owns Yasa, is already flexing with this tech in their Mercedes-AMG GT XX concept, pushing over 1,360 hp. So, the future ain't just coming; it's already got a reservation.

This is why I love this industry! Just when you think you've seen it all, somebody comes along and invents a motor that changes everything. It's not just about making cars electric; it's about reinventing what a car can be. And Yasa? They're definitely in the business of reinvention.

What’s Next

Keep your eyes peeled, because this Yasa tech could be a game-changer for high-performance EVs, allowing for unprecedented design freedom and pushing boundaries on weight and efficiency. While it’s still in the lab, its potential to fundamentally alter EV architecture is undeniable. Imagine hypercars with four independent 1,000hp motors, each precisely controlled – that's a whole new level of driving dynamics!

So, get ready for a future where your car's wheels are doing more than just rolling. They'll be driving, stopping, and probably even doing your taxes. Well, maybe not the taxes, but everything else is on the table! Don't sleep on this, baby, 'cause the future just got a whole lot more exciting!