This is the sort of stuff I've been looking forward to. Remove the current differential, stuff this thing in its place, add halfshafts and electricity, enjoy.
Next step: develop a bolt-in replacement for a Ford 9 inch :)
Yamaha’s latest foray into electric powerplants? A 350-kW motor “intended for installation and use in hyper-EVs and other high-output applications.”
Just how much power is 350 kW? Roughly 469 horsepower. And that’s just per motor: “The main feature of this newly developed electric motor is its compact construction that treats the mechanical and electrical components as a single entity, integrating the gear and inverter into one unit. It was also developed in anticipation of installation and use of multiple units on a single vehicle.”
Imagine, as this illustration portrays, having one of these new Yamaha motors connected to each wheel of a car. That’s approximately over 1800 horsepower on tap.
Yes, we get it, internal combustion engines do make some very cool noises that we love, but we can’t continue to ignore the sheer potential electric motors have in performance applications.
Read the full press release below:
IWATA, April 12, 2021 - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) announced today that it has developed an electric motor reaching the industry's highest class in output density. This unit is aimed at use in hyper-EV models and other offerings in the high-output mobility segment and Yamaha will begin accepting orders for commissioned prototype development from April this year.
Since 2020, Yamaha Motor has been accepting commissions for developing prototype electric motors (35–200 kW) for automobiles and other mobility applications. However, the company has also newly developed a unit boasting a maximum output in the 350 kW class (operating voltage of 800V) intended for installation and use in hyper-EVs and other high-output applications.
The main feature of this newly developed electric motor is its compact construction that treats the mechanical and electrical components as a single entity, integrating the gear and inverter into one unit. It was also developed in anticipation of installation and use of multiple units on a single vehicle.
Regarding commissioned prototype development, Yamaha will leverage its production technology and know-how in the casting, machining and assembly fields that give the company the flexibility to adapt to the needs of motorcycles and its numerous other products, its prototyping equipment and facilities and more in order to develop prototype motors tailoring to the specific requirements of clients in a short period.
Yamaha Motor plans to exhibit the 350 kW class unit and its other electric motor prototypes at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2021 Yokohama scheduled for May 26 to May 28, 20
This is the sort of stuff I've been looking forward to. Remove the current differential, stuff this thing in its place, add halfshafts and electricity, enjoy.
Next step: develop a bolt-in replacement for a Ford 9 inch :)
I'll take two, please. (But I'm going to mount them in the LF and RR positions.)
It appears to have a spin on oil filter. Which is nice.
Next step: develop a bolt-in replacement for a Ford 9 inch :)
Yeah, that's the ticket! I'd say the only way you could improve on that is a battery pack and controller that is roughly the size of a small block v8 and transmission, and can be bolted to the factory engine mounts. From there run some big orange cables where the driveshaft used to be, and show it some open roads!
I'm really ready for this bright future \o/
jerrysarcastic (Forum Supporter) said:Next step: develop a bolt-in replacement for a Ford 9 inch :)
Yeah, that's the ticket! I'd say the only way you could improve on that is a battery pack and controller that is roughly the size of a small block v8 and transmission, and can be bolted to the factory engine mounts. From there run some big orange cables where the driveshaft used to be, and show it some open roads!
I'm really ready for this bright future \o/
I'm on board with this plan, it's good.
Keith Tanner said:Next step: develop a bolt-in replacement for a Ford 9 inch :)
I like the cut of your jib, and not just because I happen to have a 9" in teh RX-7...
Keith Tanner said:Next step: develop a bolt-in replacement for a Ford 9 inch :)
And the GM optimum batteries are supposedly going to be modular with focus towards EV swaps.
It's happening boyos
I want to get together with some industrial design friends and come up with the look of Jerry's SBC battery pack. Make it look kinda like an SBC, but very cyberpunk and electric. Because it IS cyberpunk for reals. I dig it.
will these be sold to the public ?
any guess on price ? $15k each for the motor only ?
Keith Tanner said:I want to get together with some industrial design friends and come up with the look of Jerry's SBC battery pack. Make it look kinda like an SBC, but very cyberpunk and electric. Because it IS cyberpunk for reals. I dig it.
It’s kinda what ICON did with the “engine” for their 49 Merc EV and I’ve always admired how nicely they packaged their conversion. This is actually Tesla batteries in a classic V formation with the battery controllers and cooling all up front. Always thought this treaded the line between retro and futuristic pretty nicely.
The actual motor is low in the transmission tunnel and looks to be connected directly to the diff via a conventional driveshaft.
Keith I like your idea of mounting the motor in the diff itself, though I suppose unsprung weight might be a concern. Packaging would be easier for the average hobbyist though since it’d be bolt-in. And let’s be honest, if you have a solid axle you’ve already given up the war on unsprung weight.
Props to ICON though for switching to an IRS rear, which is more work to fab, but is a real advantage to mounting the motor where the trans would normally go. I could see this as a good option for packaging a conversion (even if the solid axle is retained) as well.
Displaying 1-10 of 33 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
