News

Honda Motor Company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hybrid road cars, with
over 800,000 such cars on the road in approximately 50 countries worldwide. Since the
inception of Zytek, its mission has been to develop innovative electronics solutions for both
race and road cars, from the first digital engine management systems and electronic
gearshifts to hybrid and EV systems, including Formula One KERS technology.
The first racecars resulting from the new partnership were rolled out at the Twin Ring Motegi
circuit on July 2 nd – 3rd 2012, where Team Mugen’s Honda CR-Z GT car made its track
debut.

The car’s 50kW hybrid system has been developed by Honda and Zytek to meet the
challenges of one of the world’s most competitive sportscar series. Zytek’s experience of the
performance challenges of KERS in Formula One and endurance challenges of hybrid
systems in Le Mans 24-hour racing have been combined to produce a formidable solution.
Zytek’s engineers have worked closely with their Honda counterparts to develop innovative
ways in which the hybrid systems can be used to increase the performance of the car.
Both English and Japanese engineers from Zytek are on site to support their Honda
colleagues. Design and development work on the next generation of systems is currently
underway at Zytek’s engineering facilities at Fradley and Repton, UK, and at Honda’s R&D
HQ in Tochigi, Japan.

Following the announcement, Zytek Automotive Managing Director, Neil Heslington said “We
are delighted and proud to have been recognised by Honda Motor Company as a world
leader in hybrid race technology and the opportunity to work together with them in
partnership allows us to continue to develop our innovative solutions, keeping our products
ahead of the competition.”

Zytek Automotive has designed and integrated electric drive systems for a wide range of
European and US vehicle manufacturers. The company is currently building high
performance electric drivetrains from 25kW -120kW and has drives of 150kW and more in
development to meet growing demand for zero emissions light commercial vehicles and
high-performance passenger cars. Their UK facility can integrate up to 6,000 E drives a year
in batches as low as 100, providing vehicle manufacturers with a highly flexible specialist
production resource for their low carbon vehicle programmes.

www.zytek.co.uk

Press Enquiries
Ian Wagstaff
tel: +44 (0)1844 353025
ian@wagstaff.fsbusiness.co.uk