Finland’s start-up, Donut Lab, has unveiled the 845 HP Ring, which is Finland’s first circular engine set to redefine global EV standards, delivering 845 horsepower and 3,171 lb-ft of torque. Packaged in a 21-inch frame that weighs approximately 88 pounds, Finland’s circular engine is rewriting global EV standards completely. Donut Lab’s modular motor will also provide solutions for electric motorcycles and drones soon. Imagine aircraft powered by Donut Lab’s donut-shaped motor. Well, an electric revolution surely is underway, and we have Finland and Donut Lab to thank for that.
845 HP and no further compromise from the Donut Motor
Guaranteed, the Donut Motor is far from anything else on the market. Donut Lab has turned its focus on placing the motor within the wheel hub and is, as such, doing away with drivetrains in its entirety.
Such a shift signifies benefits such as weight savings and thus allows for a 21-inch 845-hp model that only weighs on average 88 pounds. Most EV motors are heavier. Aside from being lightweight, the torque figure is most impressive. Donut Motor’s 3,171 lb-ft rating is one of the highest torque densities, offering instantaneous acceleration.
According to Donut Lab, the motor can be mass-produced at a relatively low cost, and that is all thanks to the motor’s simplified design and the fact that far fewer components are involved. More automakers are learning what reducing a motor’s complexity could mean, especially in terms of mass-producing vehicles.
One donut-shaped motor offering endless potential
Donut Lab is not just creating one motor; it is looking at the full lineup of wheel motors fitting different vehicle classes. The flagship 845-hp version from the company reflected a 17-inch, 201-hp model perfect for motorcycles, weighing a mere 37 pounds and being utilized in Verge Motorcycles’ TS Ultra.
Variants are on the way and will include:
- The 12-inch version for compact vehicles, weighing approximately 8 pounds
- 4-horsepower, 3.3-pound version for drones
- The 21-inch commercial-grade motor for semi-trucks produces 268 hp and 2,212 lb-ft of torque
All of Donut Lab’s motors are scalable and modular, which means they work well for all vehicle designers in the most cost-effective way. Soon, Donut Lab’s motors won’t be the solution for land vehicles only but will find their way in the marine and aerospace sectors, too. Zero-emissions and endless possibilities are on offer with these deliciously donut-shaped motors. If donut-shaped engines are the future, perhaps we could be saying goodbye to EVs and hydrogen much sooner.
A bite of Donut Lab’s offering
Donut Lab in partnership with Verge Motorcycles (also a Finnish company) is looking at how their tech can be effective in the real world. Having stores in Los Angeles and Santa Clara, production-ready motorcycles powered by Donut’s in-wheel motor will soon be delivered.
However, the question that looms large is whether automakers will choose to adopt Donut Lab’s interesting offering. With EV accessibility being harder and motor enthusiasts being in search of better performance vehicles, automakers everywhere may choose this motor as it moves away from EVs and hydrogen, and may very well be favored by some automakers worldwide.
While Donut Lab’s Donut Motor is small, it offers a loop of possibilities. Boasting 845hp, a lighter design, and somewhat of a modular platform, the innovation is redesigning how we could view the future of motors. Being rare earth-free and donut in shape, this sci-fi engine is turning dreams and spinning new possibilities for the future of mobility and the offering in terms of motors set to power future vehicles.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of events affecting companies is purely informative and descriptive. Under no circumstances does it seek to promote an opinion or create a trend, nor can it be taken as investment advice or a recommendation of any kind.
