IGNITED — Intelligent Grip for Next-gen Integrated Twin Electric Drive

Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, YASA Limited, and DePe Gear Company Ltd are building a compact dual-motor axle for high-performance electric vehicles. This matters because current electric drive units for performance cars are bulky and inefficient, limiting range and vehicle packaging. The IGNITED consortium combines Formula 1 powertrain expertise with advanced motor and gearbox manufacturing to create an integrated system that is smaller, lighter, and more powerful than existing designs. The project addresses a gap in UK capability for producing complete, high-performance electric drive units domestically. If successful, IGNITED could transform how high-performance electric vehicles are built. A compact, powerful dual-motor axle would allow carmakers to free up space for batteries or passengers, improve energy efficiency, and reduce manufacturing complexity. For the UK automotive industry, this means securing skilled jobs in powertrain engineering and manufacturing, and establishing the country as a leading supplier of advanced electric drive technology. The project is applied engineering with a clear commercial pathway, not fundamental science.