This paper presents a power hardware-in-the-loop emulation test bench (PHIL), based on a modular multiphase multilevel converter (MMPMC), to mimic arbitrary permanent magnet synchronous machines with nonlinear magnetics as they are used in automotive applications. Measurements in stationary operation as well as high dynamic torque steps are conducted at a real automotive machine and precisely reproduced at the PHIL system to demonstrate the excellent performance of the PHIL test bench. Moreover, the superiority of a PHIL test bench over conventional motor test benches is proven by the unproblematic emulation of a blocking rotor or a cracking shaft.