This paper proposes a new 8/6-pole doubly salient permanent-magnet (DSPM) motor drive, which offers the advantages of higher power density, higher efficiency, and wider speed range. The corresponding control and operation of the motor drive are presented. A variable proportional-integral (PI) controller combined with bang-bang control for the DSPM motor drive is developed. Two operation modes, namely, four-phase and two-phase operation modes, are proposed for the 8/6-pole DSPM motor drive. The drive system is implemented and tested. The results show that the developed control scheme can operate the DSPM motor properly, and the DSPM motor drive offers high efficiency over wide power range and good dynamic performance. Furthermore, the two-phase operation mode of the 8/6-pole DSPM motor offers the possibility of eliminating the torque ripple of the motor drive.