Zytek Group Ltd is a British automotive engineering company founded in 1981 in Fradley, United Kingdom. The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design development manufacture marketing and sale of Motor vehicles In 2007 more than 73 million motor vehicles Engineering is the Discipline and Profession of applying technical and scientific Knowledge and Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Fradley is a village in Staffordshire, England close to Lichfield and Alrewas. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Initially designing engine management systems for production and racing applications, the company has expanded into the development of racing engines, hybrid electric engine systems, chassis construction, and integrated circuits for automotive use. An engine control unit (ECU is an Electronic control unit which controls various aspects of an Internal combustion engine 's operation A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle A chassis (plural "chassis" (ˈʃæːsiː ˈtʃæːsiː consists of a framework that supports an inanimate object analogous to an Animal 's Microchipsjpg|right|thumb|200px|Microchips ( EPROM memory with a transparent window showing the integrated circuit inside The Zytek Group is currently divided into four divisions, with Zytek Engineering further divided into Engine Technology and Vehicle Technology sections.
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History
Zytek Systems
A year after the founding of Zytek in 1981, Zytek Systems would be created with the intent of developing electronic engine management systems for Formula One teams. Zytek became involved with Brian Hart Ltd., who supplied engines to the Toleman team at the time. Brian Hart Ltd, also known as Hart and Hart Racing Engines was a motor racing Engine manufacturer that participated in 157 Formula One Toleman Motosport was a Formula One constructor based in the U Zytek would develop the first completely electronic management system in use in Formula One. From the expertise gained by this experience, Zytek would expand to using their systems in touring car and sports car racing, with manufacturers including Jaguar, BMW and Rover. A touring car was a popular Car body style in the early 20th century being a larger alternative to the runabout and the Roadster. Sports car racing is a form of circuit Auto racing with Automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels Jaguar Cars Limited is a luxury car manufacturer based in Coventry, England, now operated as part of the Jaguar Land Rover business ( BMW) (Bavarian Motor Works is an independent German automobile manufacturer founded in 1916 The Rover Company was a British Motor vehicle manufacturing company originating in Coventry in 1904 which moved to Solihull after World War II
In 1992, Zytek's technology would be used on production road cars for the first time, with Jaguar using electronic engine management systems on their XJ220 supercar. The Jaguar XJ220 is a mid-engined Sports car produced by Jaguar in collaboration with Tom Walkinshaw Racing as Jaguar Sport between 1992 Supercar is a term generally used for a high-end Sports car, whose performance is highly superior to that of its contemporaries In the next few years, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley would use Zytek systems on their top models. Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury performance cars, whose headquarters are at Gaydon, England. A Rolls-Royce car may refer to vehicles produced by Rolls-Royce Limited (1906-1973 Rolls-Royce Motors (1973-2003 which was owned Bentley Motors Limited is an English manufacturer of luxury Automobiles and Grand Tourers Bentley Motors was founded in England In 2006, Zytek would be contracted by Honda Performance Development to provide engine management systems for the Acura AL7R Le Mans Prototype engine. () is a Multinational corporation, engine Manufacturer and engineering corporation headquartered in Japan. Acura (アキュラ Akyura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. A Le Mans Prototype (commonly abbreviated as LMP) is a type of custom-built Race car intended for Sports car racing and Endurance racing, most
Zytek Electric Vehicles
Created in 1994 following the company's success in electrical technology, Zytek Electric Vehicles began work on the development of electronic drivetrains for use in production cars. It would not be until 1998 that Zytek was able to unveil the first product from this division. In association with Lotus Cars, Zytek would install an electric drivetrain in a small Elise sports car. Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at Hethel, Norfolk, England. The Zytek Lotus Elise is an electric Sports car jointly produced by Lotus and Zytek, from 1998 and discontinuing in 2003 The system would consist of 25 nickel-cadmium batteries which were able to produce 200 hp. The nickel-cadmium battery (commonly abbreviated NiCd and ˈnɑɪˌkæd "nye-cad" is a type of Rechargeable battery using Nickel oxide hydroxide Lotus sold these electric Elises until 2003. Following the success of the Elise, Zytek built a similar system for MCC Smart. Smart, formerly Smart GmbH (formerly MCC Smart GmbH is an automotive brand of Daimler AG, is a manufacturer of Microcars and superminis based
The company's first hybrid electric motor would be developed for motorsport use, when Panoz worked together with Zytek to introduce a system on the Esperante GTR-1. A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle Panoz Auto Development is an American manufacturer of high-performance automobiles founded in 1989 by Dan Panoz, son of pharmaceutical and motorsport mogul Don Panoz The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 (also known as Panoz GTR-1 and later the Panoz GTP) was a Race car developed by Panoz Auto Development and The design was created to attempt to increase fuel economy at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 24 Hours of Le Mans ( 24 Heures du Mans) is a sports car endurance race held annually since near the town of Le Mans, Sarthe, Although the car did not qualify due to the weight of the batteries, Zytek was commissioned by DaimlerChrysler to develop a hybrid diesel system for production versions of the Smart in 2001. Daimler AG ( (formerly DaimlerChrysler AG) is a German car corporation (not to be confused with the British car-maker Daimler Motor Company) and General Motors would also commission the company to built hybrid electric systems, which were eventually used on the Chevrolet Silverado. General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States. The Chevrolet Silverado (along with its GMC counterpart the GMC Sierra) is the latest line of Full-size Pickup trucks from General
Zytek is continuing to work with Smart, and is currently developing the Smart EV. The Smart fortwo EV is a Fortwo modified for operation by Zytek Electric Vehicles as a Battery electric vehicle. Zytek also supply the Electric Powertrain for Modec electric delivery trucks. Modec is a Coventry UK Electric vehicle manufacturer specialising in Commercial vehicles in the N2 category
Zytek Engineering
In 1987, Zytek bought the British Alan Smith Racing outfit in order to expand their motorsports involvement. The team initially supported the Jordan Grand Prix team in Formula 3000 before the team eventually chose to concentrate on engine development. Early history Jordan's success in lower formulae inspired the creation of a Formula One programme for the 1991 season. Zytek would return to running a motorsports team in 2004 when the company entered the Le Mans Endurance Series with their first sports car, the Zytek 04S, which was able to finish second in the team championship in 2005 due to two overall victories. The Le Mans Series (LMS is a European Sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest The Reynard 02S was a Le Mans Prototype Race car built by Reynard Motorsport in 2002. The 2005 Le Mans Series season was the 2nd season of ACO Le Mans Endurance Series Zytek Engineering continues to campaign in the Le Mans Series as well as in the American Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The American Le Mans Series ( ALMS) is a Sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. The 24 Hours of Le Mans ( 24 Heures du Mans) is a sports car endurance race held annually since near the town of Le Mans, Sarthe,
Engine Technology Division
Expanding from their development of electronic management systems, Zytek created an engine development division in the early 1990s. From experienced gained in running a Formula 3000 team, Zytek was chosen by Judd to further develop and maintain the KV V8s they had initially built for use in the series. Judd is a name brand of engines produced by Engine Developments Ltd This program would eventually lead to Zytek being chosen as the sole engine supplier for the series from 1996 until 2004, although the engines would continue to be used in later Formula 3000-based series. Zytek would built 90 units of the KVF3000 V8.
In late 2000, Panoz Motor Sports and Élan Motorsport Technologies would work together on the development of the new V8 motor for the Panoz LMP07 Le Mans Prototype. Panoz Auto Development is an American manufacturer of high-performance automobiles founded in 1989 by Dan Panoz, son of pharmaceutical and motorsport mogul Don Panoz Élan Motorsport Technologies is an umbrella company containing the Race car manufacturing companies owned by the Panoz Motor Sports Group. The Panoz LMP07 was a Le Mans prototype built in late 2000 for Panoz for competition in the American Le Mans Series. A Le Mans Prototype (commonly abbreviated as LMP) is a type of custom-built Race car intended for Sports car racing and Endurance racing, most Although this project did not last long due to difficulties with the LMP07, Zytek would continue developing a V8 prototype engine of their own for the DBA4 03S prototype. The Reynard 02S was a Le Mans Prototype Race car built by Reynard Motorsport in 2002. This engine would later form the basis for the eventual Zytek 04S prototype. The engine, based on the Formula 3000 units, would be developed into 4. 0 litre and 3. 4 litre variants. Although these engines were used exclusively in the 04S, some engines were also sold to customers. Both engines are currently still build by Zytek.
A further development of these engines was announced in 2005, when Zytek was once again chosen as the sole engine supplier for a new series, A1 Grand Prix. History The nation-based A1GP concept was founded by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of Dubai, initially in 2004 Although larger then the initial F3000 engines, the A1GP engines are based on the same architecture. A boost option was also included, allowing for 50 extra horsepower for a small duration of time. In 2008 Ferrari will replace Zytek as the sole engine supplier in A1GP. Ferrari SpA is an Italian Sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy
Vehicle Technology Division
In 2002, Zytek bought some of the remains of the defunct Reynard Motorsport from International Racing Management (IRM). Reynard Motorsport was at one time the world's largest racing car manufacturer These assets included the rights to the Reynard 02S Le Mans Prototype, of which only one had been completed since the company's demise. The Reynard 02S was a Le Mans Prototype Race car built by Reynard Motorsport in 2002. A Le Mans Prototype (commonly abbreviated as LMP) is a type of custom-built Race car intended for Sports car racing and Endurance racing, most Zytek already supplied an engine to the existing chassis, and would therefore built further copies under the name Zytek 04S, offering both the chassis and engine as a complete package.
Due to changes in the prototype regulations in 2006, Zytek would upgrade one of their existing 04S chassis while building a third all-new car, now named the 06S. Further regulation changes in 2007 would require the team to built an entirely new car, the Zytek 07S, which is currently campaigned in both the LMP1 and LMP2 classes of the Le Mans Series. The Le Mans Series (LMS is a European Sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest
MZ Technologies
In 2001, Motorola acquired portions of Zytek and formed Motorola Zytek Technologies (MZ Technologies). Motorola Inc ( is an American, multinational Fortune 100, Telecommunications company based in Schaumburg Illinois. The company builds integrated circuits for automotive purposes. Microchipsjpg|right|thumb|200px|Microchips ( EPROM memory with a transparent window showing the integrated circuit inside Although a division of Zytek, the company is run by separate management and housed in a separate location.
External links
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