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Ljubljana, 7th July 2025

Elaphe Unveils Sonic X: Revolutionary High-Performance In-Wheel Platform

  • Drop-in performance boost for ICE, hybrid and BEV vehicles with limited space where it was previously impossible to fit additional drives. Scalable across 20 to 23-inch wheels.
  • In-wheel motor systems add +300 kW per wheel with only 25 kg of extra weight in existing space within the wheel. 40% powertrain weight reduction versus a dual motor e-axle.
  • High-performance braking function for the front wheels ensured with integration of standard large performance brake discs and high-power brake blending.
  • Superior vehicle dynamics and cornering experience: ready to use embedded high-speed traction control software for 15% performance upgrade and 5% faster cornering speed.

Front-wheel Sonic X-21, delivering 300kW peak, 200 kW continuous power in a 21-inch wheel at only 25kg added mass.

Ljubljana, Slovenia, 7th July, 2025 – Elaphe, a global leader and pioneer of in-wheel motor technology and wheel control, has announced its innovative high-performance in-wheel system product platform, the Sonic X.

Following the world-first high-performance front in-wheel motor Sonic.1 unveiled exactly 6 months ago at CES 2025, the Sonic X represents a new performance product platform for hybrid and electric vehicle architectures, delivering massive performance upgrades for new and existing vehicles. It offers unrivalled direct-drive power density in a lightweight package, advanced control capabilities and direct compatibility with high-performance brakes and existing high-end car architectures.

Sonic X drive technology is designed to add 300+ kW of power per wheel with minimal increase in weight, regardless of the vehicle powertrain base. The Sonic X platform is compatible with standard high-performance brakes, enabling the integration of large brake discs fitting into 20 to 23-inch rims – a feature not yet achieved by anyone – making it ideal for boosting the front or rear wheel torque of high-performance vehicles where space and weight are critical factors.

The integration of the Sonic X in-wheel systems directly into the wheel not only optimizes vehicle space and weight but also contributes to a more controllable wheel. Elaphe direct-drive solutions deliver 20-times faster wheel control than conventional e-drives, which enables a new level of traction control and lateral dynamics, resulting in 15% performance improvement and more driving fun with faster cornering. Sonic X samples will be available to automakers in the first quarter of 2026.

 

Sonic X: High-performance in-wheel platform with gearless torque delivery and high-speed wheel control

In-wheel systems built on Sonic X performance product platform consist of direct-drive in-wheel motors (without transmission), power electronics and embedded proprietary high-speed control software, which controls powertrain and vehicle dynamics functions.

  • Torque and power dense in-wheel motors scalable across 20 to 23-inch wheel sizes
  • Onboard high power SiC inverter in dual or single unit packaging with minimal volume (16 litres)
  • Proprietary Elaphe high-speed control software embedded on the inverter, providing electric motor control, wheel slip control and vehicle dynamics functions (brake blending and optional torque vectoring). In case of integration with driven axle in a hybrid vehicle the software also provides mechanical differential control.

 

Key features of the Sonic X – based in-wheel systems:

  • Lightweight performance design: Unmatched direct-drive power density with over 8 kW/kg continuous power density and 80 Nm/kg torque density.
  • Track-worthy braking function: Integrates large friction brake discs (350 – 420 mm). Utilizes high-power brake blending to ensure high-performance braking function, reduced brake temperatures and shorter stopping distances compared to only friction brake.
  • High-speed traction control: Advanced Elaphe Slip Control delivers 15% increase in acceleration and deceleration and 5% faster cornering speeds.
  • Easy integration: Fits all existing vehicle architectures (400 or 800 V), from ICE to full BEV as a performance boost or possible to customize for main drive. Compatible with standard performance wheel components and suspension geometries.
  • Minimal space onboard: Ideal for high-performance vehicles with limited space, for front or rear wheels. Delivers the power of high-performance dual e-axle with only 10% of the footprint.
  • Elaphe Vibroacoustics: Industry-first proprietary functionality which controls the authentic sound and vibration of in-wheel motors. Can be tuned to completely silent and smooth or amplified for enhanced feedback and driving experience.
  • Scalable Technology: Supports axle peak power up to 1 MW in rear-wheel-drive with up to 9000 Nm of peak torque per axle. Wheel sizes ranging from 20 to 23-inch wheels.
  • Design Freedom: Enables new design opportunities by removing 100 litres of components from onboard the vehicle, from improved aerodynamics to component placement and styling.

 

Exploded view of Sonic X in-wheel motor integration with standard performance wheel components.

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About Elaphe:

Elaphe Propulsion Technologies is a pioneer of in-wheel electric motor technology, motion control software and power electronics, paving the road to software-defined mobility. Elaphe delivers scalable in-wheel solutions with extensive experience of integration into a wide range of vehicles. 

Elaphe believes traditional EV architecture with central drive units is missing out on the full potential of electrification possible with in-wheel technology. The current electric vehicles lack differentiation and excitement, are inconvenient, expensive and inefficient.

Elaphe goes beyond the powertrain, developing the domain knowledge to simplify vehicle architecture through high-speed motion control enabled by in-wheel motors. The company’s vision is to unlock a new level of performance, design freedom, safety and long-trip efficiency while reducing vehicle weight and number of components for maximum cost efficiency.  

Together with OEMs, Elaphe aims to create next-generation EV platforms, combining innovation with sustainability to shape the ultimate riding experience.

For more information, please contact:

Petra Jan

Email: petra.jan@elaphe-ev.com

Mobile: 00386 41 399 894