[ishiwgao]

The only question, which I attempted to highlight in my first post, is whether we will have to design our own reduction drive into the hub, or whether we use hub motors.

Cost is not an issue as we have an appropriate budget.

Since there aren't many small able-to-fit-in-a-hub motors available, in my opinion, a reduction drive into the hub may be a better option because it increases the range of motors you can use (ie using the reduction gear to gain as much torque as you need)

This of course increases cost, complexity and space constraints since you need to design an extra gearbox inside the hub

But as others have mentioned, you'll probably need to do your own casing with the hub that can be IP protected. motors don't usually withstand such harsh conditions; moreover yours is an off-road application