Elaphe Propulsion Technologies unveiled its new front-wheel in-wheel motor, Sonic.1, at CES 2025, featuring integration with high-performance brakes in what the company calls an industry first. The direct-drive motor system accommodates 400mm brake discs within a 21-inch rim while delivering 272 horsepower of continuous output per wheel.
The Sonic.1 motor can achieve peak power of 347 horsepower per wheel, with the potential for up to one megawatt of power in rear-wheel-drive configurations. The system’s power density reaches over 5 kW/kg in continuous output, with the company claiming capability for up to 8 kW/kg.
According to Elaphe, the motor’s direct integration into the wheel enhances vehicle control, providing response times twenty times faster than conventional electric axle systems. The technology includes patent-pending sound and vibration generation functionality for driver feedback.
The company has partnered with Italdesign to demonstrate the technology’s applications. Italdesign’s concept car, Quintessenza, features scaled versions of the Sonic.1 motors on all wheels, showcasing potential implementations in future vehicle designs.
The in-wheel motor technology aims to simplify electric vehicle architecture by eliminating the need for traditional centralized drive units. This approach could enable greater design flexibility for manufacturers in areas such as aerodynamics and component placement.
Elaphe states the system’s design allows for straightforward integration into both existing and new vehicle platforms, particularly targeting high-performance applications where space and weight optimization are crucial factors.
The technology is on display at CES 2025 in the North Hall at Booth #10529. The company positions the development as part of its broader strategy to advance EV architecture through in-wheel motor solutions and motion control software. This emphasis on decentralized propulsion represents a departure from conventional electric vehicle design, potentially offering manufacturers new options for vehicle layout and performance optimization.
