Slovenia’s Elaphe is emphasizing performance applications for its in-wheel electric motors.
At CES 2025, the company unveiled the Sonic 1, a thin electric motor it claims is compatible with high-performance brakes. That can be difficult with in-wheel motors, as they occupy the same real estate as brake hardware. Slimming down the motor allows for larger 400-millimeter brake rotors to be packaged together with motor hardware within a 21-inch front wheel, Elaphe claims in a press release.
The Sonic 1 is intended for EVs or hybrids. It generates 268 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque by default, but can be tuned for higher outputs. Each motor also adds 88 pounds of unsprung weight, which could make tuning for ride and handling more difficult.
Italdesign Quintessenza concept
Elaphe in-wheel motors were showcased on the Italdesign Quintessenza GT concept, a grand tourer with a raised ride height and pickup-style bed. Italdesign quotes a 0-62 mph time of 2.5 seconds, or 2.2 seconds with performance tires. A 150-kwh battery pack mounted under the floor provides an estimated 466 miles of range, although it’s unclear which test cycle that number is based on.
Elaphe in-wheel motors were slated to be used in the Lordstown Endurance pickup truck and the hyper-efficient Lightyear 0 sedan, but neither reached volume production. In 2023, Elaphe also announced a partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies—the tech arm of the race team and supercar builder—to use its motor tech in “highly efficient and hyper-responsive electric vehicles.”
Italdesign Quintessenza concept
In-wheel motors offer the packaging advantage of moving propulsion hardware to the corners of the vehicle. Despite the tradeoffs, established automakers are also showing more interest. Ferrari has tried to patent an in-wheel motor design for performance EVs, while Ford pickup trucks with what might be in-wheel motors were spotted testing last year.
Elaphe isn’t the only company slimming its in-wheel motors to achieve greater packaging flexibility and reduced unsprung weight. Donut Lab unveiled its own family of motors at CES 2025, claiming record power density and a wide range of sizes for use in everything from cars to drones.
