 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Zytek Automotive" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(October 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Zytek Automotive is a Britishpowertrain and vehicle engineering specialist, which has been part ofContinental AG since 2014. Zytek Automotive designs, develops, and integrates electric motors into a range of cars and commercial vehicles. The UK facility can accommodate up to 6,000 E-Drive integrations a year in batches as low as 100.
In 1981 Gibson founded the Zytech Group with two main divisions: Zytek Automotive, based atFradley, Staffordshire; andZytek Engineering, based at Repton, Derbyshire.
In 2000,Motorola procured 19% of the Zytek Automotive and in 2006 this passed toContinental AG, a German engineering company, who purchased all of Motorola's automotive divisions & subsequently started raising their stock-holding of Zytek Automotive to 50%. Since 2014, Zytek Automotive has been part ofContinental AG after they purchased the whole business.[1][2]
Zytek Engineering, the other part of the Zytek Group, remained under Gibson's leadership and was renamedGibson Technology on 1 October 2014[3][4]
When Zytek was founded in 1981 the initial company focus was onengine management systems for motorsport.
By 1987 Zytek had expanded its operations to include race car engines as a specialty, working with teams and supporting championships such as theLe Mans Series,Formula 3000,Auto GP and the Renault FR3.5 Series.
During the 1990s, Zytek also developed high power-density electric vehicledrivetrains, creating what was the highest power-densityEV drivetrain at the time. Zytek's success in motorsport led to working with road cars on the Proto ESX HEV Series hybrid drivetrain design, and the creation of engine management systems for theJaguar XJ220 sports car. This led to further collaborations with automobile manufacturers.
Zytek has been developing vehicle electrification and electronics for road vehicles since 1997. Its first notable project was theAston Martin DB7 engine management system and it has since gone onto collaborate withJaguar Land Rover,Aston Martin,Rolls-Royce Bentley andDodge.[5] In 2001 Zytek worked withGM to assist with the creation on a new concept hybrid truck, the electrification system offering fuel efficiency saving in day-to-day use as part of a turnkey hybrid development programme.[6]
In 2006, Zytek converted one hundredSmart Fortwo to fully electric vehicles, which took part in UK market trials as lease vehicles from 2007 to 2009.[7] In 2009 Zytek developed ahydrogen fuel cell concept with Morgan, the EV3.[8] The 70 kW integrated drivetrain installed in theModec electric vehicle is designed and manufactured in house by Zytek, as well as the drivetrain in the E Vito Taxi.[9] Zytek works with the EV conversion company RBW Classic Electric Cars to provide EV drivetrains.[10]
In the early 2010s Zytek collaborated withAudi on the key electrification technology for theAudi R8 e-tron which set records for the fastest production electric car at theNürburgring.[11] The car was also featured in theIron Man movie.
The current family of electric motors ranges up to 170 kW.[12][13]
Launched in 2011 withGordon Murray Design, Zytek helped develop the Gordon Murray T.27 all-electric three seater road car. With a total cost of £9m, the T.27 was made possible via £4.5m of investment from the UK government backedTechnology Strategy Board.[14][15] With a total cost of £9m (US$14.4 million in June 2010), the research and development project allowed the consortium to develop a prototype that was unveiled at theRoyal Automobile Club in June 2011. The T.27 road debut was held in November 2011 at theRAC Future Car Challenge.[16] As of 2011, Gordon Murray Design was negotiating with three manufacturers for possible production of the T.27.[17][18]
| This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(October 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Zytek first started working in motorsport in 1981 specialising in engine management systems.
In 1984, for the Toleman-Hart car driven byAyrton Senna, Zytek developed the first fully electronicengine management system withinFormula One.
In 2009, for Mercedes/McLaren driven byLewis Hamilton, Zytek developed the firstkinetic energy recovery system to win an F1 race.
Since 2014 Zytek has developedvehicle electrification technology withinFormula E as an electric inverter and motor supplier.
Its customer included 4 out of 6 drivers and manufacturers championships and 16 race wins.
For theSuper GT racing series in Japan, Zytek developed an ERS system For the Honda 300/500. The developed hybrid system was retrofitted to Honda's existing platform.
Zytek also has worked withFormula 3000,Le Mans Series,Renault FR3.5 Series and theAuto GP Championships.
2014 saw Zytek engaged as the electric inverter and motor supplier to a team[which?] in the first season ofFormula E. This engagement saw Zytek having to deliver race-worthy systems in six months. It was a supplier in further seasons with theFormula E World Champions.