Drive System Design (DSD), a leading engineering development partner specialising in electrified and conventional propulsion systems, has been named Facility of the Year at the 2026 Automotive Testing Technology International (ATTI) Awards.
The award recognises DSD’s advanced engineering and testing facilities that enable customers around the world to accelerate the development, validation and optimisation of next-generation propulsion technologies across automotive, commercial vehicle, aerospace, defence, marine and off-highway applications.
Judged by a panel of industry experts and presented as part of Vehicle Tech Week Europe in Stuttgart, Germany, the ATTI Awards celebrate outstanding achievements and innovation across the global vehicle testing and development sector.
The award-winning facility was recognised in part for its role supporting YASA in the validation of a next-generation axial flux eMotor and wheel-hub drive unit programme.
Working closely with YASA’s engineering teams, DSD utilised its 800kW high-speed test cell to validate a prototype eMotor capable of delivering 750kW of power from a package weighing just 12.7kg, achieving an unofficial power density benchmark of 59kW/kg.
Alongside motor testing, DSD engineers designed and commissioned a bespoke testing and development rig capable of replicating real-world vehicle loads while the wheel-hub drive unit operated at high power. The system enabled comprehensive assessment of performance, efficiency, NVH characteristics and potential failure modes under simulated operating conditions.
By applying up to 16kN of cornering force alongside acceleration, braking and lateral loading scenarios, DSD was able to reproduce complex vehicle dynamics within a controlled laboratory environment, significantly reducing risk and accelerating the programme’s validation phase.
Rob Smith, Head of Development and Test, Drive System Design, said:
“We’re immensely proud to have won the ATTI Facility of the Year – an exceptional achievement for DSD. Above all, it recognises our outstanding people, whose commitment has created a truly world-class powertrain development facility.
“We’re proud to be at the forefront of propulsion system development across a wide range of sectors, from automotive and commercial vehicles to aerospace, defence and beyond. By combining design, development and testing capabilities within a single, integrated facility, we can move seamlessly from concept to validation. Our collaborative approach allows us to tackle increasingly complex challenges with confidence, accelerating outcomes for our customers.”
Rachel Evans, Editor of Automotive Testing Technology International and Chair of the ATTI Awards, said:
“The judges were particularly impressed by the breadth of capability demonstrated within DSD’s facility and the way in which advanced testing is integrated directly into the wider engineering process.
“The company’s work supporting the validation of next-generation electric propulsion technologies showcased both technical innovation and a clear ability to help customers accelerate programmes while reducing risk, making DSD a worthy recipient of this year’s Facility of the Year award.”
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