YAMAHA is delving deeper into the field of electrification as it announces a new electric powertrain capable of producing 475hp.
While the motor is destined for electric vehicles, the same technology could conceivably find its way into the outboard market. As a brand, Yamaha has not gone all-in with the notion of electric power. We have seen two-wheeled concepts and design studies adopting battery power, although until its range of high-density motorcycle and scooter motors were announced last year, it seemed the Japanese giant wasn’t fully committing to the idea.
Yamaha Motor Company is providing peeks at its newest electric motor that boasts a maximum output of 350kW or 475hp that the Japanese manufacturer is promoting as a platform for “hyper EVs” (electric vehicles) and other high-performance applications.
The drive unit was developed, Yamaha said so that multiple units can be installed in one vehicle. With an electric motor driving each wheel, a so-called hypercar would have an output of 1,400kW or 1,904hp.
The electric drive system works with 800 operating volts with what is said to be an enormously high power density. The electric motor is an “integrated permanent magnet synchronous motor” (IPMSM) that is oil-cooled. All mechanical and electrical components are integrated into one unit, which should enable a particularly compact design, according to electrive.com.
The motor is set to debut at the end of May during the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2021 in Yokohama, Japan.
Yamaha has no plans to offer electric cars, but there is speculation about how the drive system might be incorporated into the company’s motorcycles and outboard engines.
Yamaha has been building electric motor prototypes for outside customers in the 35kW to 200kW range for the past year.
The 350kW powertrain is still under development, and the figures could change. The maximum power and also the cooling method could still be adjusted or changed according to customer requirements.
