From Las Vegas to the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley

On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Elaphe’s SONIC.1 In-Wheel Motor, first unveiled at CES 2025, was publicly presented for the first time in Europe at the MAUTO – Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin (Regione Piemonte), during the Future Mobility Space press conference.

A proud milestone for Elaphe, showcasing its most advanced in-wheel propulsion system in the very center of where some of the world’s most passionate cars are made. Elaphe SONIC.1 isn’t just a motor—it’s a cornerstone of software-defined, next-generation mobility.

The Elaphe SONIC.1 will remain on public display at the MAUTO – Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile for the time being.

Maurizio Arnone, curator of the Future of Mobility program, added:

“The Elaphe SONIC.1 represents more than just innovation—it brings new diversity to the way we think about propulsion. Its modular, scalable nature opens up possibilities for a wide range of vehicles and applications, showing how mobility is becoming more adaptable, intelligent, and dynamic.”

Gorazd Gotovac, CTO at Elaphe, added:

“SONIC.1 represents a new chapter in high-performance mobility—where power, control, and intelligent integration meet in one compact, software-defined package. Presenting it here in Turin, at the heart of Europe’s Motor Valley, underlines its significance: it’s not just a motor—it’s a gateway to the future of scalable performance and vehicle character customization. With 20x faster torque response than conventional e-axle systems, SONIC.1 enables a new level of vehicle control and safety—responding in milliseconds with independent torque at each wheel. That precision allows for unmatched slip control, smarter torque vectoring, and full utilization of available grip.«

It has become clear that, despite the mind-blowing capabilities of electric powertrains, full-electric hypercars still struggle to attract consumers—often due to concerns around battery lifespan and emotional connection. With SONIC.1, Elaphe introduced a new approach to hybridization: electrifying the front axle with direct-drive in-wheel motors (300 kW each), while leaving the rear to a traditional high-performance ICE. The result? A visceral, responsive driving experience with true track capability with stock performance 400 mm brakes, superior traction, and a dramatically faster route to integration for OEMs.

Foto: Cosimo Maffione

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