The project has been underway for several months, and bench testing, engineering calibration and on-site support is expected to be completed within 12 months. It will develop a battery-electric drivetrain fitted to a Chinese-market Bora saloon, a restyled version of the globally available Jetta.

Protean Drive in-wheel motors weigh 34kg each and fit inside an 18-inch wheel, housing not only the motor itself but the power and control electronics too. Compatible with hybrid and pure electric applications, these allow 85% of kinetic energy to be recovered as battery charge, and provide 100bhp of peak power per wheel.

Kwok-yin Chan, CEO of Protean Holdings Corp, said: ‘Our involvement with this prestigious automaker shows that Protean Electric is continuing to serve as a valuable resource for OEMs as they develop New Energy Vehicle programs

‘This is a two-phase project that will capitalize on the torque and packaging freedoms that Protean Drive(TM) can bring to an automaker. Our technology will return the space to the new Bora vehicle platform that was formerly occupied by an in-board motor and powertrain.’

FAW-Volkswagen recently unveiled the first of its China-only electric sub-brand, Carely, again based on the Bora, at an event in Beijing. As yet, it is unclear whether knowledge gained from the project with Protean will be applied to global models.