Engineers at Oxford University are developing a lightweight, high-torque motor to power a four-seater electric sports coupé that is due to start track tests at the end of this year. The car (below) is being developed by the Delta Motorsport engineering consultancy, based at Silverstone.

The Oxford motor was originally developed for the Morgan Lifecar concept car in 2008, and is being adapted for high-performance electric vehicles by optimising its materials and design. According to the motor’s designer, Dr Malcolm McCulloch of the electrical power group at Oxford`s Department of Engineering Science, the aim is to achieve 500Nm of torque from a 25kg motor. He believes the technology could have other applications in the industrial, aerospace and renewable energy markets.

The development is being backed by the Oxford University Challenge Seed Fund, which is providing investment to build a prototype.