Abstract: A high torque-to-low mass variable reluctance motor includes a cylindrical stator assembly having a plurality of stator segments circumaxially arranged about a rotor wherein adjacent stator segments are maintained in a spaced apart relation with one another by non-magnetic pins which provide a radially inwardly projecting channel extending fully from the outer circumference to the inner circumference of the stator assembly to essentially magnetically isolate the stator segments from one another. A generally annular, non-magnetic shell coaxially surrounds and engages the outer periphery of the circular stator assembly to cause a compressive force to be directed radially inwardly to maintain the stator segments in a precisely aligned arrangement.