McLaren patents triple-motor EV powertrain

McLaren has patented a pioneering new pure-electric triple-motor powertrain that will help it rival the new breed of hypercars such as the Rimac Nevera.

According to the blueprints published by the European Patent Office on January 4, 2023, the advanced concept for a new powertrain consists of mounting three electric motors on the rear axle.

The system is said to be mounted around a mechanical differential, with one big motor positioned at the differential’s input and a further two bolted onto each output.

Saving weight, the motors are encased in either aluminium or magnesium.

But the real beauty of this unique set-up is it allows ultra-precise measuring out of torque to each individual wheel and smoother regenerative braking, plus unprecedented levels of torque vectoring.

The other great appeal of the triple-motor axle is it can be used either at the rear or front axle – or both.

The new axle’s compact packaging means it has also been designed to work with hydrogen fuel-cells, supercapacitors and traditional batteries.

Weirdly, the axle would also work on three-wheel vehicles, claims McLaren, suggesting a less-than-exotic application.

McLaren made a patent filing in November last year for a more conventional arrangement that sees a pair of motors drive a front axle and a third motor spinning up the rear pair of wheels along with a combustion engine.

Developed by McLaren Applied Technologies, the separate R&D hub owned by McLaren Automotive, the British supercar-maker is set to hugely benefit from a recent partnership with in-hub motor experts Elaphe, which is also working with McLaren to develop its next-gen all-electric powertrains.

There’s still no word on when McLaren will launch its first EV, but under new boss Michael Leiters (ex-Porsche, Ferrari) the safe money is it will be a battery-powered SUV that could be here by 2026.

Leiters was instrumental at Ferrari in pushing the Ferrari Purosangue SUV to production.

As well as the controversial SUV (McLaren for years swore it wouldn’t make one), it’s thought a Porsche Taycan-rivalling super-sedan might also be on the menu.

Both will be based around a superlight structure for best-in-class power-to-weight ratio and feature the fastest charging available.

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