According to an aspect, a rotor for a Synchronous Reluctance Motor (SynRM) is provided. The rotor core includes alternating layers of radially fabricated flux carrier and flux barrier material, defining flux barriers extending through the core without bridges and/or center-posts. In some embodiments, the alternating layers include layers of permanent magnet (PM) and soft magnetic composite (SMC) material fabricated on, and adhered directly to, the rotor shaft. A corresponding method for manufacturing the SynRM is also provided.