A synchronous machine having a hybrid rotor excitation. The synchronous machine includes a rotor having a plurality of permanent magnets and electromagnets embedded within a rotor body. The permanent magnets produces a constant magnet field having a magnetic axis along a direct axis (D-axis). The electromagnets produces a variable magnetic field along a magnetic axis offset from the D-axis, preferable substantially orthogonal to the D-axis. The plurality of permanent magnets are separated from the electromagnets by a rotor air-gap. The plurality of permanent magnets includes inner pairs and outer pairs of permanent magnets nested in a V-shaped configuration. In another embodiment, the outer pairs of permanent magnets are replaced with outer radius electromagnets.