Zytek Automotive

In 1981 Gibson founded the Zytech Group with two main divisions: Zytek Automotive, based at Fradley, Staffordshire; and Zytek Engineering, based at Repton, Derbyshire.

In 2000, Motorola procured 19% of the Zytek Group and in 2006 this passed to Continental AG who purchased all of Motorola's automotive divisions. Continental soon raised their stock-holding of Zytek Automotive to 50%.

Zytek Engineering remained under Gibson's leadership and was renamed Gibson Technology on 1 October 2014 [1][2]

When Zytek was founded in 1981 the initial company focus was on engine 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 the Le Mans Series, Formula 3000, Auto GP and the Renault FR3.5 Series.

In the 1990s, 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 the Jaguar XJ220 sports car.

In the early 2000s Zytek was working with Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and Aston Martin.

During the 1990s, Zytek also developed high power-density electric vehicle drivetrains, creating what was the highest power-density EV drivetrain at the time. As a result of this in 1999 Zytek was awarded by General Motors a turnkey hybrid development programme.

2014 saw Zytek engaged as the electric inverter and motor supplier to a team in the first season of Formula E. This engagement saw Zytek having to deliver race-worthy systems in six months. It was a supplier in further seasons with the Formula E World Champions.

Zytek first started working in motorsport in 1981 specialising in engine management systems.

In 1984, for the Toleman-Hart car driven by Ayrton Senna, Zytek developed the first fully electronic engine management system within Formula One.

In 2009, for Mercedes/McLaren driven by Lewis Hamilton, Zytek developed the first kinetic energy recovery system to win an F1 race.

Since 2014 Zytek has developed vehicle electrification technology within Formula E as an electric inverter and motor supplier.

Its customer included 4 out of 6 drivers and manufacturers championships and 16 race wins.

For the Super GT racing series in Japan, Zytek developed an ERS system For the Honda 300/500. The developed hybrid system system was retrofitted to Honda's existing platform.

Zytek also has worked with Formula 3000, Le Mans Series, Renault FR3.5 Series and the Auto GP Championships.

Zytek has been developing vehicle electrification and electronics for road vehicles since 1997. Its first notable project was the Aston Martin DB7 engine management system.

Zytek has also worked with Jaguar Landrover, Rolls-Royce Bentley, Daimler Smart, General Motors,  Audi and Dodge.

Zytek also works with the EV conversion company RBW Classic Electric Cars to provide EV drivetrains.[3]

Launched in 2011 with Gordon 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 backed Technology Strategy Board.[4][5]

In 2009 Zytek developed a hydrogen fuel cell concept with Morgan, the EV3.[6]

In 2017 Zytek collaborated with Audi on the key electrification technology for the Audi R8 E-Tron (which was featuring in the Iron Man movie). The car set records for the fastest production electric car at the Nürburgring.

Zytek converted one hundred Smart Fortwos to fully electric vehicles, which took part in UK market trials as lease vehicles from 2007 to 2009.

In 2001 Zytek worked with GM to assist with the creation on a new concept hybrid truck, the electrification system offering fuel efficiency saving in day-to-day use.

• Honda CRZ
• Mercedes / McLaren Racing

• Zytek Automotive
• Continental Engineering
• RBW Classsic