Bespoke transmission solutions

Design and niche volume manufacture of custom, high-end transmissions and gearboxes

Ricardo is a world-leader in the design and manufacture of gearbox and transmission solutions for motorsport and performance automotive. We create custom solutions optimised to the requirements of our client's high performance and specialised platforms.

Complete transmission development programmes for performance applications

Ricardo specialises in the design and manufacture of driveline solutions for high performance and specialised applications. Our extensive experience of delivering high quality optimised transmissions to the motorsport and high-performance industry makes us the partner of choice for the provision of quality, cost-effective turnkey gearboxes and transmissions.

Contact us about your requirement

Ricardo has supplied performance-focused transmissions and gearboxes to top-tier motorsport and premium automotive for over 50 years. We provide the very best, highly optimised solutions which has earned us recognition as market leaders for transmission design and manufacturer.

We work directly with OEMs, tiered suppliers, race teams, vehicle design authorities and prime contractors to design and build fully optimised driveline products and supply them in low volumes. We excel in creating solutions for platforms which require specialist technical or packaging requirements where quality, precision, reliability, and performance are critical. As well as motorsport and performance automotive, our offering extends to markets such as defence, off-highway, and industrial manufacturing which often have special packaging or durability requirements.

Ricardo offers a truly comprehensive end-to-end service tailored to the requirements of our clients. These programmes can include design, low-volume manufacture and assembly, end-of-line test and validation, and supply chain management. We also offer spares supply and warranty packages to support the programme throughout the product lifecycle. All supported by a dedicated programme manager.

Our programmes range from full transmission and driveline design, manufacture and supply programmes, to the development of driveline components and sub-assemblies for existing systems. They can be tailored to suit any kind of propulsion system including traditional ICE, electric vehicle, and hydrogen.

With extensive experience delivering solutions for highly regulated markets, our clients can be assured that we will deliver high quality products manufactured to exacting specifications with low levels of in-service failure.

Ricardo's transmission specialists have decades of experience in developing novel solutions to some of the most challenging technical and packaging design briefs.

Our experts think outside of the box to develop optimised driveline and transmission solutions bespoke to the client's requirements. They are equipped with access to advanced digital engineering and simulation technology which enables the team to work as efficiently as possible, whether they are designing from a clean sheet or building on a client's existing design.

Our experts take an end-to-end approach to our transmission design programmes. Our design engineers work closely with our production, manufacturing, and supply chain experts to ensure that value is built into the finished design. All our solutions are developed with cost-effective and efficient manufacture in mind, without compromising on the quality of the finished product.

Our transmission experts have extensive experience in highly regulated industries where delivering high-end technical products in short lead times is the norm. This enables us to deliver quality assured products manufactured to meet even the most challenging project timings without compromise.

Our in-house manufacturing facility is capable of producing every element of a high performance transmission. It includes advanced CNC machinery and precision conventional tools and processes which give our skilled engineers complete control over every element of their manufacture. From precision gear manufacturing with high levels of complexity and tight tolerances to intricate prismatic machined components.

Quality, reliability and value are at the heart of our production processes. All of our manufacturing operations are subject to strict quality management controls. We hold ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D, demonstrating our commitment to delivering components which adhere to strict industry standards and regulatory controls.

Ricardo's comprehensive prototyping solutions are helping our clients to bring the next generation of high-performance vehicle to market.

We offer rapid design and development support which includes consideration of value engineering and design for manufacture principles to facilitate smooth transition to series supply.

Our manufacturing experts apply their specialised knowledge to build prototype units in batch quantities to support your development programme. All components are manufactured and supplied to the same quality and levels of precision our clients expect of our series supply programmes.

Gear Installation
Gearbox Assembly
Transmission CAD
Prismatic Machined Cases

Make Ricardo your bespoke transmission development partner

Bespoke solutions

We develop and manufacture completely bespoke transmission solutions for our clients completely optimised to the requirements of the platform.

Efficient delivery, high-end performance

Our approach to transmission solution development is born from our expertise in the motorsport industry where high-end technical performance delivered in short lead times are the norm. This enables us to meet even the most challenging project timings without compromise.

Regulated markets

We have extensive experience delivering solutions for highly regulated markets. Our clients can be assured that we will deliver high quality products manufactured to exacting specifications with low levels of in-service failure.

Motorsport expertise

We have significant experience over many years delivering high-performing transmissions to the very top levels of motorsport. We have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and designs to draw upon, minimising overall project risk in terms of time, cost, and reliability.

Bespoke transmission solutions

Markets

This service is offered within the following sectors.

More about transmission manufacturing

Development of hybrid 4wd transmission

Read case study

Ricardo’s in-house manufacturing capability explained

Read insight

The future of motorsport: Trends, opportunities and challenges to look out for over the next decade

Read insight

Bespoke transmission solutions Resources

Hyundai Motorsport secure an impressive 1-2 victory at Rally Italia Sardegna

Read article

Developing a hybrid transmission for the Hyundai i20 N Rally

Read article

How will e-motors evolve in the coming decade?

Read blog

Ricardo congratulates Hyundai Motorsport for an impressive win in Rally Finland

Read article

Meet the experts

James Sundler

James Sundler

Business Development Director

View bio
Steve Blevins

Steve Blevins

Head of Engineering for Motorsport

View bio
Stuart Cooper

Stuart Cooper

Market Head - Motorsport

Read my story
Tony Golland

Tony Golland

Market Head - Defence

Read my story

Contact us about your bespoke transmission requirements