What Kintesys does

Kintesys is a French engineering design office (bureau d'études) specializing in powertrain control — referred to in French as Pilotage de Groupe Moto Propulseurs (GMP) — for the automotive and motorsport sectors. Founded around 2003-2004 and headquartered in Élancourt (Yvelines, near Paris), the firm operates with 11-50 employees organized into four technical poles: modeling and simulation, control algorithm design (lois de commande), electronics, and test bench / workshop (banc d'atelier). It serves three primary customer segments: major automotive OEMs developing series-production prototypes, competition racing teams (including Formula E), and tier-1 automotive equipment suppliers.

The company's technical capability is built on an integrated stack of physical-law-based multidisciplinary simulation models (mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical), in-house control algorithm design spanning from PID/cartography to observers and fuzzy logic, a proprietary real-time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulator, rapid prototyping platforms with automatic code generation, and the design of custom analog/digital and power electronic modules. A signature asset is the 600 kW 4-wheel-drive GMP test bench — upgraded in 2022 with two new pods 100% designed in-house, partly financed by the French government under the Plan de Relance — featuring a 250 kW/3000 Nm axle and a 450 kW/4000 Nm axle with four independently controllable machines and a battery-based energy storage system.

Revenue is generated through two streams. The first is engineering studies and consulting services (modeling, control algorithm development, prototyping, electronics design, HIL testing and on-vehicle validation) sold on a project basis to enterprise clients. The second is the commercialization of internally developed products — Passerelles (CAN gateways), injection drivers, the Vilcam engine target simulator, a 48V VCU and 48V BMS, complete 48V drivetrains, and TuneTy calibration software — targeted at R&D and small-series applications. Commercial activity is conducted via direct B2B engagement, a LinkedIn presence, and website-led contact, with strategic relationships in place with Valeo, McLaren Applied (using ATLAS software), and Sodikart.

Name

Kintesys

Legal name

Kintesys

Website

https://kintesys.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kintesys is a France-based engineering design office specializing in powertrain control (GMP) for automotive OEMs, motorsport teams, and tier-1 suppliers, offering simulation, control algorithms, custom electronics, proprietary products, and a 600 kW 4WD test bench.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Powertrain Control Engineering

NAICS

Other Specialized Design Services (54149), Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Gearmotors, Gearboxes & Speed Reducers (IMAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Powertrain Test, Dyno & Validation Services (Post-rebuild/Reman QA) (TLAKALAN), Axle, Differential & Final Drive Manufacturing (Front/Rear/E-axle housings) (IMACAHAG)

Keywords

• Powertrain control engineering
• Automotive test bench services
• 48V electric powertrain
• Vehicle control systems
• Battery management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Élancourt

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Engineering Studies and Consulting: Complete engineering studies for automotive groups, competition teams, and equipment suppliers covering powertrain development from preliminary study to vehicle validation. Projects include modeling, control algorithm development, prototyping, electronics design, and test bench services.
2. Proprietary Products: Commercialization of internally developed products including gateways, injection drivers, Vilcam, VCU 48V, BMS, 48V drivetrains, and TuneTy calibration software for R&D and small series applications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Kintesys is an engineering design office (bureau d'études) that delivers complete powertrain control (Pilotage de Groupe Moto Propulseurs) services for series vehicle prototypes, motorsport competition programs and Tier-1 equipment suppliers, organized across four technical poles: modeling/simulation, control algorithms, electronics, and test bench/workshop. In parallel with engineering studies, Kintesys designs, manufactures and commercializes proprietary electronic products (gateways, injection drivers, engine target simulator, BMS 48V, VCU 48V, complete 48V powertrains) and calibration software (TuneTy) for R&D and small-series applications, supported by an in-house 600 kW four-wheel-drive test bench.

Product overview

Kintesys is an engineering consultancy specializing in Powertrain Control (Groupe Moto Propulseurs - GMP) for automotive prototypes and motorsport. The company offers a portfolio of electronic hardware products designed internally (Passerelles, Driver d'injection, Vilcam, VCU 48 V, BMS 48 V) alongside complete 48 V electric powertrain systems (Chaîne de traction 48 V). These products are complemented by calibration software (TuneTy) and supported by in-house testing capabilities through their 600 kW 4-wheel-drive test bench. Kintesys provides end-to-end services from preliminary studies through powertrain development, electronic prototyping, Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation, rapid prototyping, electronic design, demonstrator integration, and on-vehicle calibration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TuneTy: Calibration and visualization software using CCP protocol for parameter setting, table management, mapping, variable visualization and recording, calibration set management, and ECU programming.
• Vilcam

Products and services

• Passerelles (Gateways) Gateway device that exchanges and formats information between CAN networks and other networks (CAN, WiFi, Bluetooth, or LIN). Hardware and software developed by Kintesys. Used to integrate new components into existing electrical architectures, spoof control units in prototype vehicles, or add human-machine interfaces and modify CAN IDs.
• Driver d'injection (Injection Driver) Injection driver that converts impulses from the ECU into commands for solenoid valves. Features peak and hold outputs with up to 30 A current capacity, boost voltage up to 100 V, CAN communication, and control of up to 7 solenoid-type outputs. Both hardware and software developed by Kintesys.
• Vilcam (Engine Target Simulator) Engine target simulator that generates crankshaft target signals (inductive or Hall effect) and camshaft target signals (Hall effect). User-adjustable settings include engine speed, camshaft phase offset and target error simulation, supporting synchronization testing and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) applications.
• VCU 48V (Vehicle Control Unit) Vehicle controller for 48V electric powertrain control. Hardware specifications include supply voltage up to 60 V, two CAN Bus channels, and an integrated 48V/12V 50 W DC-DC converter; software includes function libraries and standard interfaces for electric powertrain management, battery and HMI interfacing, with custom development available on demand.
• BMS 48V (Battery Management System) Battery management system for monitoring and managing batteries up to 15S configuration. Features cell voltage measurement and balancing, SOC and SOH calculation, current and energy measurement, charger control, contactor control, and safety protections for over-current, over/under voltage, and temperature. BMS units can be chained for higher voltages and support Li-Ion and Na-Ion chemistries.
• Chaîne de traction 48V (48V Powertrain System) Complete 48V electric powertrain systems developed and distributed by Kintesys, combining automotive mass-production electric machines in multiple power ranges with or without gearbox and differential, paired with VCU 48 controller (or higher-volume control units) and standard or custom batteries from various suppliers.
• TuneTy (Calibration Software) Calibration parametering and visualization software using CCP (CAN Calibration Protocol). Features constants parametering, table and map editing, variable visualization and recording, calibration set management, and ECU programming. Designed for powertrain calibration, R&D and small-series applications.
• Banc d'essai GMP 4RM (4WD Powertrain Test Bench) High-dynamics hub test bench with four independent pods, including a 250 kW / 3000 Nm axle and a 450 kW / 4000 Nm axle (100% Kintesys-designed). Features four independently controllable machines across all four quadrants, low inertia, high-precision torque measurement, real-time CAN communication with tested vehicle, and innovative battery-based energy storage limiting electrical consumption.
• Engineering Studies and Consulting (Bureau d'études GMP) Complete engineering studies for automotive groups, competition teams and equipment suppliers covering powertrain development from preliminary study to vehicle validation. Engagements span modeling, simulation, control algorithm development, rapid prototyping, electronics design and test bench services, organized across four technical poles (modeling/simulation, control algorithms, electronics and test bench/workshop).

Quantifiable outcome

• Test bench capacity of 600 kW with 4 independently controllable machines

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ValeocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValeo is shown as a partner logo on the Kintesys website, indicating a strategic relationship for automotive powertrain development and technology collaboration.
• McLaren AppliedcoreTechnology or IntegrationMcLaren Applied is shown as a partner logo. Kintesys uses ATLAS software from McLaren Applied for data analysis and visualization, as mentioned in their competencies section.
• SodikartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSodikart is shown as a partner logo on the Kintesys website, indicating collaboration in the karting/motorsport sector.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AVL List: Global powertrain and vehicle engineering consultancy offering simulation, controls, and test bench services. Directly comparable to Kintesys across modeling, control algorithms, and powertrain validation, though at vastly greater scale.
• FEV Group: Independent engineering services provider for powertrain and vehicle development, with strong test bench and calibration offerings. Competes with Kintesys in European powertrain engineering services and validation.
• Ricardo: Engineering consultancy specialized in powertrain, propulsion systems, and vehicle integration. Overlaps with Kintesys on powertrain control development and ICE-to-electrification transition projects.
• McLaren Applied Technologies: Motorsport-derived powertrain and control technology provider, already a Kintesys partner via ATLAS software. Comparable in the high-performance/motorsport powertrain control niche and overlapping on Formula E and racing customer segments.
• Cosworth: Engineering firm specializing in high-performance engines, electronics, and powertrain control. Competes with Kintesys for motorsport and niche OEM powertrain control engagements.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Engineering: Subsidiary of Robert Bosch offering automotive engineering services across powertrain, chassis, and electronics. Overlaps with Kintesys on automotive control development and calibration, but with a much broader portfolio.
• Continental Engineering Services: Engineering services arm of Continental, providing powertrain, chassis, and electronics development. Comparable to Kintesys on VCU/BMS-like development, but embedded in a tier-1 supplier's broader portfolio.
• Capgemini Engineering (formerly Altran): Large engineering services firm with deep automotive practice covering powertrain, embedded systems, and embedded software. Competes with Kintesys for OEM engineering services contracts across Europe.

Others

• Sodikart: Listed partner of Kintesys; leading kart manufacturer and motorsport player. Comparable in motorsport powertrain ecosystem but as a customer/partner rather than direct competitor.

Emerging players

• IPG Automotive: Specialist in virtual test driving and powertrain/vehicle dynamics simulation software. Adjacent peer to Kintesys on the modeling/simulation pole, with overlapping HIL/simulation use cases for powertrain development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kintesys

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kintesys