Formula Renault 3.5 now with maxon motors

The prestigious Formula Renault 3.5 series has become an important feeder championship for Formula One in recent years with a string of current F1 racers having graduated from Renault’s ranks. Scuderia Toro Rosso drivers Jean Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo, and reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel are all products of Formula Renault 3.5.

World leading race car and race engine manufacturer, Zytek Engineering was chosen to supply the engine for the Formula Renault 3.5 series until 2014. The entire grid, all 26 cars, are powered by a newly developed Zytek engine designed, manufactured and built in the UK.

The Zytek engine, specifically designed for the Formula Renault series, is a 3.4 litre V8 generating 530 HP at 9250 rpm, it has fifty more horsepower than the previous engine. Included in the new engine is a flyby wire throttle system controlled using a maxon DC motor and planetary gearhead, this allows the driver 3 pedal maps for varying track conditions, pushing the Formula Renault 3.5 even closer to Formula One specification and performance. Indeed the cars have proved to be four seconds a lap faster than the previous incarnation. The maxon DC motor, from the RE motor family, and the gearhead, from the GP family, were specially adapted to meet the demands of the high vibration and high temperature environment.

Zytek has a close working relationship with maxon engineers who helped to determine the correct choice of motor and maxon's support in the testing and evaluation phases ensured that motor would be reliable under demanding circumstances.

John Manchester Zytek's Operations Director said, ‘We began testing maxon’s products in July 2011 and have been extremely impressed with their technical backup and service. The motors need to work in a very hostile environment and maxon really understood the product and the problem and even made suggestions on how to improve the product to help us.‘

‘It was a great privelege for Zytek to be awarded the FR 3.5 contract and when you work with a major motor manufacturer such as Renault in such a high profile racing series you have to ensure that you can deliver. Working with maxon motor uk means we can exceed expectations.‘

Paul Williams, Sales Engineer at maxon motor uk commented ‘We are delighted to work in partnership with Zytek. 80% of our business comes from modifying our products for our customers and we thrive on challenging projects.‘

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