A reluctance machine includes a stator having a stator core. The stator core includes a central bore and a plurality of stator poles extending inwardly from the stator core. Each of the stator poles includes a stator pole face. The reluctance machine further includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor poles. Each of the rotor poles includes a rotor pole face. Each of the rotor pole faces includes a first portion, a second portion that is radially inwardly stepped with respect to the first portion to create a non-uniform air gap between the rotor pole face and a corresponding stator pole face, and a protrusion located at an edge of the second portion of the rotor pole face.