The dual motor versions (D) of Tesla electric vehicles (models S and X at least) use this principle. As far as I know, they have induction motors. However, I am not sure to which extent one of the motors is used primarily for high torque and the other for high speed.
They shut the rear motor down at highway speeds giving the Dual Motor cars slightly better range.
Or do they have a third kind of motor which is wound to be a better balance?
Single motor, non-P: 1 large motor in the rear.
Dual motor, non-P: 2 small motors in front/rear with front motor geared for cruising, rear for accel.
Dual motor, Performance: 1 small motor in front geared for cruising, one large motor in the rear.
There's really no reason to have a front motor only. It's done in ICE cars to save cost/complexity since the engine is up front. With how the center of gravity shifts during accel you want the drive wheels to be on the rear since they have better traction.
Same reason in reverse you have large disk brakes on the front wheels and drum in the rear.
But you need a powerful motor to act as the brake (you want to avoid friction braking as much as possible). And that needs to be in the front.
You also want friction braking for cases where you've got 100% charge or the battery is cold and you can't dump energy into the pack.
I'll argue front wheel drive is better / safer for most driving situations most people find themselves in, especially in slippery conditions, on wet or dirt roads.
That said the traction control on Tesla is responsive to < 1ms. Lots of throttle inputs that would cause traction to break free on a traditional ICE due to momentum in the drivetrain doesn't on our Tesla. Heck I can floor it in the rain and it doesn't step out at all.