The era of large, heavy electric motors may be over. YASA (owned by Mercedes-Benz) has made a historic leap from laboratory tests to real-world application, integrating its record-breaking axial electromagnetic motor directly into the wheel of an electric car. This prototype doesn't just break records - it radically changes the architecture of the drivetrain.
The technology is based on the same unit that twice broke the unofficial world record for specific power in the summer and fall of 2025. Its latest iteration weighs just 12.7 kg, but can deliver short-term peak power of up to 750 kW, which is equivalent to over 1,000 horsepower per wheel. With a density of 59 kW/kg, this motor is three times more powerful than the best radial motors on the market.
The real innovation lies in its placement. The compactness of the axial design allows the power unit to be mounted directly in the wheel hub (in-wheel motor). Each of the four motors is combined with a new dual-channel inverter with a power of 1500 kW, weighing only 15 kg.
This solution has two key advantages:
Neutral mass: YASA claims that the new prototype is the first mass-neutral in-wheel motor. This means that its weight does not increase the unsprung mass of the wheel to critical levels, which is a major problem with conventional hub motors and compromises suspension dynamics.
Eliminating rear brakes: Thanks to its extremely high power, YASA's regenerative system can provide such effective braking that traditional rear axle braking mechanisms could become completely redundant - a dramatic reduction in weight and complexity.
Although the technology is still far from mass production, YASA is confident in its scalability, compactness and potential affordability. Integrated wheel drive has the potential to revolutionize the architecture of electric vehicles, improve energy efficiency and take performance to levels never before seen in production cars.