YASA Introduces a 12.7-kg In-Wheel Motor Producing Over 1,000 Horsepower
In a groundbreaking leap for electric propulsion, British engineering company YASA Limited has unveiled an upgraded version of its in-wheel motor — a technological marvel that produces over 1,000 horsepower (1,020 hp) while weighing just 12.7 kilograms. This innovation sets a new benchmark for power density in electric drive systems, with an unprecedented output ratio exceeding 80 hp per kilogram.
The Lightest and Most Powerful Motor of Its Kind
The new YASA motor builds upon the company’s axial-flux design, a layout that positions magnetic flux parallel to the axis of rotation — allowing for exceptional compactness and torque density. The latest iteration reduces weight from 13.1 kg to 12.7 kg, while simultaneously boosting peak output from 748 hp to 1,020 hp — roughly a 30% improvement in power with a slight reduction in mass.
In continuous operation, the motor delivers between 476 and 544 hp, confirming its potential for sustained high-performance applications, from electric supercars to aerospace systems.
Axial-Flux Architecture: The Core of YASA’s Innovation
Unlike traditional radial-flux motors found in most EVs, axial-flux designs enable a far thinner and lighter structure, improving both efficiency and cooling. This design minimizes copper losses and shortens the magnetic path, allowing YASA motors to deliver higher torque per kilogram than conventional units.
YASA’s proprietary “yokeless and segmented armature” technology — from which the company takes its name — also improves scalability and reduces manufacturing costs. These engineering advances could revolutionize how future EVs distribute power to the wheels.
Mercedes-Benz and the Future of Electric Mobility
YASA has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz Group since 2021. While Mercedes has not yet announced plans to integrate YASA’s in-wheel technology into production models, the partnership hints at ambitious future EV platforms.
Currently, YASA’s motors are used in Mercedes-AMG high-performance hybrids, including the AMG S63 E Performance and the AMG GT63 S E Performance, though these employ central, not wheel-integrated, configurations.
If integrated directly into wheels, such motors could eliminate traditional transmissions, axles, and differentials, freeing interior space and improving handling dynamics through precise torque vectoring.
Power Density Comparison: YASA vs. Orbis HaloDrive
To put this achievement into context, California-based Orbis Electric recently introduced its own axial-flux motor, the HaloDrive, weighing 29.5 kg and producing 560 hp with torque around 5,500 Nm. Impressive as it is, YASA’s 12.7-kg unit delivers nearly double the output at less than half the weight, making it one of the most efficient electric motors ever developed.
| Specification | YASA In-Wheel Motor (2025) | Orbis HaloDrive (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 12.7 kg | 29.5 kg |
| Peak Power | 1,020 hp | 560 hp |
| Continuous Power | 476–544 hp | 400 hp (approx.) |
| Torque | Not disclosed (estimated >6,000 Nm) | 5,500 Nm |
| Type | Axial-flux, yokeless | Axial-flux, integrated hub |
| Power Density | ~80 hp/kg | ~19 hp/kg |
Such compact power units could redefine electric performance — allowing designers to build lighter, more agile vehicles with individually controlled wheel torque and advanced regenerative braking systems.
Potential Applications Beyond Cars
YASA’s in-wheel motor opens exciting possibilities across mobility sectors:
- Hypercars and sports EVs — direct torque control for each wheel and instant throttle response.
- Urban micro-mobility — smaller EVs with compact powertrains and flat floors.
- Aviation and drones — lightweight electric propulsion for vertical take-off vehicles.
- Marine and robotics — compact, waterproof modules ideal for modular applications.
Technical Highlights
- Design: Axial-flux (yokeless, segmented armature)
- Peak Power: 1,020 hp (760 kW)
- Continuous Power: 476–544 hp (355–405 kW)
- Weight: 12.7 kg
- Power Density: 80.3 hp/kg
- Cooling System: Liquid-cooled
- Efficiency: Estimated over 95%
The latest YASA in-wheel motor marks a milestone in electric propulsion — a device so compact yet powerful that it challenges conventional EV engineering. While Mercedes-Benz has yet to announce a production car using this technology, it is clear that YASA’s innovation could soon power a new generation of ultra-efficient electric hypercarsand lightweight EV architectures.
If successfully commercialized, YASA’s 12.7-kg motor could become the cornerstone of next-generation electric mobility, where efficiency, power, and minimalism converge.
