A spindle motor for implementation in a low profile hard disk drive is described; that spindle motor having a novel configuration for the torque generating portion. The spindle motor includes a hub coupled with a disk platter; that has a rotational axis about a suitable bearing system. A stator portion of material for conducting magnetic flux from the rotor poles, and having twelve stems and a plurality of windings, is configured to be disposed beneath the disk platter and coupled to the drive base. A rotor portion coupled with the hub having back iron ring with a permanent sixteen pole magnet radially polarized is closely radially disposed to the stator. The number of poles of the rotor portion has a defined proportion relative to the number of stems of the stator portion. The windings provide conductivity for creating an electromagnetic force applicable at the torque radius for rotation of the hub.