Britain’s Protean Electric, billing itself as the world leader of in-wheel motor (IWM) technology, has become the first company to develop and supply IWMs for a mainstream OEM passenger car programme.
This landmark project for the Renault 5 Turbo 3E (T3E) positions Protean at the forefront of electric vehicle propulsion innovation and the leader of a growing pack of IWM competitors.
Not only does it mark a key step in the commercialisation of IWMs but also reinforces their viability as a scalable propulsion solution for mainstream automotive applications.
Protean has developed one of the most advanced IWM systems in the industry with its updated Pd18 solution delivering over 200kW/268hp directly to each rear wheel.
This enables exceptional performance, including 0–100kph acceleration in under 3.5 seconds on the T3E, which was shown to the public for the first time at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed.
“This collaboration represents a significant milestone for the future of vehicle electrification as it shows clearly in-wheel motors have no limits,” said Protean CEO Andrew Whitehead.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Renault and other OEMs as they seek to use in-wheel motors to deliver better electric vehicles for their customers.”
