- Italdesign Quintessenza concept car suggests in-wheel quad-motor future topping 2,000 hp
- Elaphe’s new in-wheel motors can be used in high-performance hybrids or EVs
- It can deliver a continuous 268 hp and peak 342 hp at each front wheel
Legendary Italian design house Italdesign, now owned by the Volkswagen Group, showcased an updated version of its Quintessenza concept at the 2025 CES event in Las Vegas in early January.
The concept combines the sleek body of a coupe with a pickup truck-like bed beneath a removable rear windshield. It was first unveiled last April at the 2024 Beijing auto show, but at CES Italdesign presented a version equipped with in-wheel electric motors from Elaphe, a Slovenian company that previously supplied in-wheel motors for the now-defunct Lordstown Endurance electric pickup truck
In the Quintessenza, four larger Elaphe motors—each measuring 21 inches in diameter and housed within a 24-inch wheel—combine to deliver over 2,000 hp. According to Elaphe, this new system significantly enhances performance, nearly tripling the power output compared to the vehicle’s original three-inboard-motor setup displayed in Beijing. The new configuration also offers superior off-road capabilities, with wheel control that is 20 times faster than the previous system.
Elaphe further stated that in a full set such as in the concept, the motors can generate vertical forces on the chassis when high torque is applied, which may improve stability during cornering. This capability could potentially replace or complement existing semi-active and active suspension systems, the company said. The company said it also developed an advanced system to manage the inverter, enabling customizable sound profiles and haptic feedback that can be tailored to meet the preferences of various manufacturers.
Elaphe Sonic.1 in-wheel electric motor
The motor maker also introduced its latest Sonic.1 design, intended for the front wheels of high-performance vehicles, at CES. The motors feature a continuous output of 268 hp and a peak output of 342 hp. Each motor weighs approximately 88 pounds.Deliveries of the Sonic.1 motors are scheduled to begin later this year, though Elaphe has not announced whether the motors will be used in any production vehicles.
Elaphe was not the only company to unveil new in-wheel motor technology at CES. A company called Donut Lab introduced a modular family of in-wheel motors, including a flagship design claimed to deliver up to 845 hp.
While in-wheel motors have demonstrated many advantages, including reduced costs and improved packaging for EVs, their long-term durability has yet to be proven. Additionally, the increased unsprung mass they introduce can negatively impact handling.
UPDATED 1/17/2025 to separate Sonic.1 references from those about the concept vehicle
