This paper presents a new predictive current control (PCC) for permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM) drivers. Based on a hybrid model including an inverter model and a PMSM model, the proposed scheme selects more than one inverter configuration and allows to reach exactly the reference state vector. It appears attractive when compared to conventional direct torque control (DTC). Hysteresis comparators are not used. The switching frequency is fixed and it does not have to be very high. The control scheme has been verified experimentally with a 1.6 kW PMSM drive. Comparative studies with DTC control are performed with the same test bench. The results show that the proposed control obtains the same fast torque dynamics if not better than DTC control schemes but with smaller ripples. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.