In the world of electric propulsion, a small British firm has quietly shaken up the industry. Yasa, a company already known for its innovative axial flux motor designs, has reportedly set a new benchmark in power density delivering a staggering 737.5 horsepower from a motor that weighs just 28.8 pounds.
Yasa’s groundbreaking prototype publicly praised in a recent LinkedIn post by the company’s CTO, Tim Woolmer has achieved a power density of 42 watts per kilogram, setting what appears to be a new world record in the field. The motor not only delivers mind-boggling performance in a compact footprint, but it also does so without relying on exotic or rare materials.
According to Woolmer, Yasa’s design forgoes costly components like cobalt-iron laminations and litz wire, making it both affordable to manufacture and scalable for mass production. The company estimates it could ramp up to 50,000 units per year, signaling strong commercial potential.
Though this prototype isn’t technically the most powerful electric motor in absolute terms, it leaves a considerable mark when measured by power density. The much-celebrated Koenigsegg Dark Matter motor produces 800 horsepower and 921 lb-ft of torque, but weighs roughly 60 pounds more than Yasa’s design. That gives the Swedish motor a power density of just 15 w/kg, making Yasa’s unit nearly three times as efficient on a weight-to-power basis.
To be clear, the Dark Matter motor still deserves recognition. It’s part of Koenigsegg’s advanced hybrid powertrain for the Gemera, a hypercar that combines electric and combustion power to achieve up to 2,300 total horsepower. But while Koenigsegg focuses on performance integration in luxury hypercars, Yasa is quietly redefining the baseline physics of electric motor performance.
The impact of Yasa’s technology isn’t theoretical. It’s already been embraced by the highest tiers of the automotive world. Mercedes-Benz, recognizing the strategic potential, acquired Yasa in 2021, integrating the tech into its next-gen electric lineup. Before that, Italian supercar makers were quick to leverage Yasa’s innovations. Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale and 296 GTB, as well as Lamborghini’s Revuelto and Temerario, all reportedly feature Yasa motor technology under the hood.
Interestingly, not all Lamborghini models benefit from the same source. The Lamborghini Urus SE, for example, features an electric motor built by the Volkswagen Group, underscoring the complexity of sourcing within high-performance brands.
