Yamaha's city car concept to be fitted with new Zytek engine

Yamaha's new MOTIV.e city car concept, shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, is powered by an advanced electric drive from Zytek that employs a range of new design approaches to minimise the cost, weight and size of the powertrain while maximising the performance and range. By supplying a number of core high voltage components as an optimised system, Zytek is also minimising the time required for vehicle development.

MOTIV.e comes from the partnership between Yamaha and Gordon Murray Design, using Murray's revolutionary iStream manufacturing technology to deliver a highly efficient yet fun-to-drive electric vehicle at an affordable price.

Zytek supplies the 13kg electric motor, paired with a 11kg single-speed reduction gearbox from Vocis and the electronic vehicle control module (EVCM), which provides the interface between the powertrain and the rest of the vehicle.

To help achieve the lightweight and high-efficiency targets for the MOTIV.e, the 25kW motor revs to 15,000rpm, much higher than comparable units. This substantial increase in motor speed allows the electric engine to be smaller, lighter and more cost-effective than previous generation units.

The Zytek EVCM is unique, being built on an electronics platform that duals as a development tool and a cost-effective production unit complying with all relevant automotive standards. Zytek claims that unlike other dual-purpose systems that are suitable for production, their unit is cost-competitive with bespoke production technologies.