Abstract: The present invention discloses small compact motor systems which may be located inside a vehicle drive wheel, and which allow a drive motor to provide the necessary torque with reasonable system mass. The motor systems of the invention utilize polyphase electric motors, and are preferably connected to appropriate drive systems via mesh connections, to provide variable V/Hz ratios. In one embodiment the stator coils are wound around the inside and outside of the stator. In a further embodiment, the machine contains a high number of phases, greater than three. In a further embodiment, the phases are connected in a mesh connection. In a further embodiment, each half-phase is independently driven to enable second harmonic drive for an impedance effect. Improvements are apparent in efficiency and packing density.