Turntide Technologies plans to enter its Sierra Echo-S electric off-road vehicle in King of the Hammers 2026, a mixed-terrain endurance race combining high-speed desert sections with low-speed, high-load rock crawling.
The program is intended to evaluate axial flux electric drive performance under sustained high-torque, high-shock, and thermally demanding conditions.
Unlike prior retrofitted electric entries, the Sierra Echo-S is a purpose-built electric platform designed specifically for extreme off-road operation.
The vehicle serves as a testbed for Turntide’s axial flux motor architecture, power electronics integration, and battery system behavior in environments characterized by rapid load changes, limited traction, and continuous mechanical stress.
The vehicle configuration emphasizes torque delivery, packaging efficiency, and weight distribution to support precise control during technical driving while maintaining performance during higher-speed segments.
Key engineering specifications include:
- Battery capacity: 18.6 kWh
- Motor: Axial flux electric motor
- Peak torque: 235 Nm at 1,500 rpm
- Nominal system voltage: 420 V
- Gear ratio: 4.56, tuned for low-speed control and torque multiplication
- Tires: 33-inch off-road tires
- Power-to-weight ratio: 2.64 hp/lb
- Acceleration: 0–60 mph in approximately 3 seconds
Data and lessons from the program are intended to inform off-highway electrification efforts across applications such as construction equipment, specialty vehicles, and other high-load, duty-cycle-intensive platforms where torque density, thermal performance, and drivetrain robustness are critical design factors.
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