Zytek powertrains lead Gordon Murray T.27 to victory
Powertrains developed by Staffordshire based clean tech firm Zytek helped entrants in this year's RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge gain three class wins and the prize for overall winner.
The company's air-cooled 25kW electric engine and battery system were used to drive the Gordon Murray T.27, a three seat city car concept developed with funding from the Technology Strategy Board, to victory.
The electric vehicle won the award for the Most Energy Efficient Small Car (Prototype) and the Best Overall Pure Electric Vehicle. Zytek's larger, 70kW electric drive system also powered two prototype Mercedes Vitos in the Light Commercial class.
Zytek's Automotive managing director, Neil Heslington, said: "It was fantastic to see the T.27 scoop the top prize, confirming the outstanding achievement of the combined Zytek and Gordon Murray design engineering teams who have achieved remarkable performance through a rigorous focus on efficiency and light weight. It's a victory that shows the way forward for low energy transport."
Zytek's Midlands workforce was recently awarded £1.3million as part of the second round of the government's £1.4billion Regional Growth Fund. It will use the funding to recruit 40 additional engineers to support the development of a next generation electric powertrain technology centre.
Heslington concluded: "Our business has grown over 50% in the last 24 months and we have several new products in development, including a project with Morgan to develop an electric prototype of the stunning Morgan supersports. This is the second year of the RAC London Future Car Challenge and the second year of Zytek victories. We'll be back next year to try for a third year of successes."
