YASA has unveiled an axial flux motor prototype weighing 12.7 kg and delivering over 1,000 hp. Explore the company's history, Mercedes-Benz takeover, and plans for serial production.
British company YASA has presented an axial flux electric motor prototype described as "the most powerful motor in the world the size of a dinner plate." The latest design delivers over 1,000 hp and sets new benchmarks for power density in electric mobility.
YASA's latest prototype weighs just 12.7 kg and generates a peak output of 750 kW, equivalent to over 1,000 hp. Power density reaches 59 kW/kg. In continuous operation, the motor delivers between 476 and 544 hp, enabling high efficiency without excessive mass.
The motor features a compact, disc-shaped design – roughly the size of a dinner plate – that can be easily integrated into vehicles. YASA emphasizes that the design does not require rare-earth metals, which simplifies production and reduces environmental costs. Although still a prototype, the company sees clear potential for mass production.
YASA was founded in Oxford and has been developing axial flux technology for years, differing from traditional radial flux motors through higher efficiency and lower weight. In 2021, Mercedes-Benz acquired YASA and integrated it into Mercedes-AMG, opening the door to applications in luxury and sports models.
According to YASA's official website, the takeover accelerated innovation. In the summer of 2025, the company achieved 550 kW at 13.1 kg. The current prototype improved that result by another 200 kW, setting an unofficial world record in power density.
photo: electrive.com
The YASA prototype is designed primarily for electric supercars and hybrids. Thanks to its low weight, it can be installed in motorcycles, light commercial vehicles, and even aviation – YASA operates a spin-off called Evolito for aerospace applications. In electric cars, such a motor reduces vehicle mass, which translates into longer range or smaller batteries.
According to Road & Track, the motor is well suited for performance applications where every kilogram matters. Hypothetically, four such units in a Mercedes-AMG would deliver over 4,000 hp. The high price currently limits use to the premium segment, but YASA expects the technology to reach more accessible models within a decade.
Compared with motors from Tesla or Lucid, YASA stands out with more than double the power density of standard designs.
photo: themanufacturer.com
YASA is opening a new UK factory dedicated to axial flux motors, signalling the start of serial production. Mercedes plans to use the technology in upcoming EV models, potentially including AMG hybrids. Production tolerances remain a challenge, raising costs, but they are expected to improve over time.
The YASA motor is light, powerful, and free of rare-earth metals, fitting the trend toward sustainable mobility. It marks an important milestone for electric vehicles.
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