Mercedes-Owned Yasa Build Tiny But Mighty New 1,006 hp e-Motor

Mercedes-owned and UK-based e-motor makers YASA (Yasa) has a new iteration of its 'Axial Flux' motor, and it's very powerful despite being very tiny and ultra-lightweight.

If you’ve never heard of UK-based YASA (Yasa), then pay attention. That’s because the tech start-up, owned by German automaker Mercedes-Benz, just showed its latest electric motor (e-motor) design, and it might just be a game-changer. 

Firstly, through said new axial flux e-motor, Yasa claims it has set a new unofficial power density record as the unit outperforms the previous record-holder – also made the firm – by an impressive rate of 40%.

Versus its previous record-setting design, Yasa's latest outperforms which by 40%, albeit unofficially.

The firm detailed that it recently put a new, full functional prototype to the test on a dynamometer where it delivered 750 kW – which equates to 1,006 hp. What’s even more remarkable is just how tiny and light this hardware is.

“This record demonstrates what makes YASA unique. With three times the performance density of today’s leading radial flux motors, YASA continues to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in electric motor design,” expressed Joerg Miska, CEO of Yasa.

In terms of power density, this latest design boasts a rate of 59 kW/KG. This explains how it can develop up to 1,006 hp despite weighing just 12.7 KG.

No bigger in size than an infant and weighing just 12.7 KG, it boasts a record-smashing power density of 59 kW/KG. in contrast, Yasa’s previous record setting unit mentioned weighed 13.1 KG and developed 550 kW (737 hp), which in turn achieved a power density rate of 42 kW/KG.

Compared to the e-motor primed in the new Tesla Model Y Standard, which is rated at roughly 200 kW (268 hp) in Europe, Ytherivalling axial flux design from Yasa stands up to four times more potent.

Yasa-built Axial Flux e-motor as primed in the Mercedes-AMG GT XX concept (AMG Concept GT XX).

Of course, peak power isn’t everything, apart from for short bursts (i.e. during overtaking). What’s more critical is the continuous power output rating, and Yasa claims the same prototype yields between 350 and 400 kW (469 to 536 hp) continuously.

Apart from that, the UK-based firm further touts that the axial flux e-motor detailed is both scalable and uses non exotic materials. In other words, this e-motor is designed to be easily mass-produced should there be demand prompting which.

Said new concept EV 'super grand tourer' powered by a trio Yasa e-motors recently set a series of records too, which you can read up on by clicking here.

Additionally, the ultra-lightweight e-motor could also lead to significant range gains. With any EV, less weight means it doesn’t need a bigger – read: heavier – battery. Moreover, a smaller battery size also translates to shorter re-charge times.

Presently, Yasa already supplies e-motors for high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Temerario and Ferrari 296 GTB/GTS where they are augmented with combustion engines (ICE). 

Besides Mercedes-Benz, Yasa e-motors are also primed in electrified supercars like the Ferrari 296 (left, GTS pictured) and Lamborghini Temerario (right).

Through the Mercedes-AMG GT XX concept (also known as the AMG Concept GT XX), the eventual production version to which – a fully-electric super grand tourer – is tipped to harness a trio of Yasa axial flux e-motors and deliver over 1,000 kW (1,360 hp) in total.

Like many innovations we've seen in the past, it’s typically best for them be adopted by higher-priced offerings first. Hopefully, they eill trickle down into more attainable (accessible) models over time thanks to economies of scale – when costs are reduced by increasing production.