Volkswagen launches new rear-wheel drive electric motor “APP550” 286 PS, 550 Nm for MEB electric vehicle

Volkswagen has announced that the MEB electric car platform is now underpinning cars like ID3, ID4 And ID buzz will receive a new electric motor option – the AP550.

The new engine will be installed as a rear-wheel drive configuration and will produce a maximum capacity of 286 hp and 550 Nm of torque. This is significantly more power and torque than the current single rear-wheel drive option that produces 204 PS and 310 Nm.

The MEB platform also now features a dual-engine configuration used in the higher-performance “GTX” version of Volkswagen electric cars. The total system output of the dual motors is 299 PS and 460 Nm, so this new single motor actually outperforms the current dual-motor configuration in terms of torque. This opens up the possibility of achieving an even more powerful total output if the new 550 Nm rear motor is used in a dual-motor setup.

Volkswagen says the higher torque of the APP550 engine is due to an improved stator with a higher effective number of turns and a larger wire cross-section. The rotor like its counterpart is equipped with stronger permanent magnets that have a higher load capacity. The drive is also reinforced to withstand the significant torques generated.

Volkswagen’s next electric car to be launched is Volkswagen ID7so we think this will be the first car with this new AP550 engine.