The NXP CoreRide Z248 zonal reference system interlocks 48 V energy distribution
and intelligent data routing on a pre-integrated hardware-software foundation
— unlocking silicon performance and delivering a faster, scalable, lower-risk path
to production of SDV architectures.
NEW DELHI, March 11, 2026 – What’s new: NXP Semiconductors today introduced its
NXP CoreRide Z248 zonal reference system – the semiconductor industry’s first pre-
validated, design-ready zonal foundation that combines advanced 48 V energy
distribution, deterministic data handling, functional safety, and real-time
responsiveness. The hardware-software foundation is designed to optimize system
performance, reduce system integration effort, shorten development cycles, and
allow OEMs and Tier 1s to focus investment where it matters most. It sets a new
benchmark for accelerating the journey from zonal architecture concepts to
production‑ready implementations.
Built on NXP’s S32K5 microcontroller series, its integrated advanced MRAM
technology unlocks ultra-fast, ultra-frequent over-the-air updates throughout the
entire vehicle lifecycle. At the software level, the Z248 integrates a comprehensive
pre-validated software stack that streamlines complex development of smart
data energy network (SDEN) functionalities such as impedance, power and
protection monitoring, intelligent data routing, AI‑enabled virtual sensing,
diagnostics, and audio.
With its built-in, validated remote protocol stack (RCP), it supports the up-
integration of end node functions and ECU consolidation to enable new cost-
optimized vehicle architectures. It also addresses key challenges of 48 V zonal
systems by managing energy conversion, distribution, and protection within a
single, integrated architecture.
The Z248 is rigorously validated through thousands of system-level tests
demonstrating outstanding low-power modes, fast boot and fast wake-up
response. It is supported by a modern, collaborative continuous integration,
continuous testing and continuous delivery (CI/CT/CD) development environment
that allows significantly faster test loops with OEMs and tier 1s, shortening
validation cycles.
Why it matters: Automakers are being asked to move faster, scale broader, and
spend smarter – even as safe zonal consolidation, hybrid power systems, and AI-
enabled features dramatically increase architecture complexity. NXP’s new
CoreRide zonal reference system brings scalability to this rising architectural
complexity. It reduces risk by helping OEMs and tier 1s accelerate development into
production, it eases the switch from legacy platforms and lower total cost of
ownership – freeing them from complex integration to put them on a path
to production.
“As new E/E architectures redefine vehicle design, our focus is simple: give the
automotive ecosystem the foundation to move faster and differentiate with
confidence,” said Sébastien Clamagirand, SVP and General Manager, Automotive
Systems & Platforms at NXP Semiconductors. “The NXP CoreRide zonal reference
system Z248 delivers a performance-optimized, scalable 48 V foundation that
intelligently fuses power, data and software, while dramatically simplifying system
integration, reducing time to market, and enabling OEMs to focus on vehicle
differentiation and long‑term value creation.”
More details: The Z248 zonal reference system is delivered with a complete Board
Support Package (BSP) with pre-integrated software from the NXP CoreRide
partner ecosystem, including GLIWA’s performance monitoring suite, Green Hills’
software compiler and Vector’s embedded software and tools. The full package
undergoes extensive validation to help ensure optimized performance, while
continuously improving processing efficiency and power consumption based on
the primary use cases of a zonal ECU.
Its scalable, safe and secure hardware-software stack adapts easily to different
variants of SDV E/E architectures and integrates naturally with NXP’s broader
system offering. It leverages technologies across computing, networking, power
management and 48 V energy distribution, including NXP’s S32K566 zonal
microcontroller featuring on-chip MRAM that significantly accelerates ECU
programming times, both in factory settings and during over-the-air (OTA)
updates.
The reference system also integrates 48‑volt‑capable power components such as
eFuse, PMIC and DC‑DC converters, robust in‑vehicle networking through Ethernet
PHY and CAN transceivers, and built-in audio support. In addition, it introduces a
new concept for zonal I/O extension. Designed for broad applicability with housing
and a wiring loom, the new NXP CoreRide Z248 zonal reference system can be
deployed across ICE, hybrid and BEV platforms, supporting the industry’s move
toward zonal processing and ECU consolidation.
Ecosystem Voices
Peter Gliwa, CEO and Founder of GLIWA
“NXP understood that the eco-system, the tooling around a new platform is
essential for its success. With our Analysis Suite T1 built into the NXP CoreRide Z248
zonal reference system, high efficiency, proper timing analysis and timing
verification are very well addressed.”
Dan Mender, Vice President of Business Development at Green Hills Software
“Green Hills is proud to play a central role in NXP’s transformative reference
solution strategy, which simplifies and accelerates production-focused
automotive ECU development through pre-integrated hardware and software
optimized for zonal automotive architectures. By leveraging Green Hills’ integrated
software solutions, customers can develop high-quality, safety-critical
applications with a minimal footprint and optimal performance, while significantly
reducing time to deployment.”
Sam Yeh, Chairman of Inventec
“In response to the automotive E/E architecture trend toward zonal and centralized
designs, Inventec is collaborating with NXP Semiconductors to support the
advancement of next-generation zonal architectures. Through this collaboration,
Inventec can provide hardware design and JDM support to OEMs as part of NXP’s
zonal E/E architecture initiatives.”
Jochen Rein, Senior Vice President Business Unit Software Platform at Vector
“The combination of the NXP CoreRide platform and Vector’s software foundation
provides a robust basis for nextgeneration zonal architectures. We enable our joint
customers to reduce their time- to-market due to a pre-integrated and highly
optimized software stack.” Vector contributes as an NXP CoreRide partner,
providing preintegrated software and tools that help streamline development and
ensure smooth integration within the zonal ECU architecture.”
Availability
The NXP CoreRide Z248 zonal reference system is available now for selected
customers, supported by comprehensive system documentation such as a system
safety manual, validated KPIs and software integration guidance to accelerate
adoption in upcoming vehicle programs.
NXP CoreRide platform
The CoreRide zonal family is part of the NXP CoreRide platform, which marks a
major step forward in helping automakers overcome software and hardware
integration barriers, while scaling development efforts for new architectures in
SDVs. The platform integrates NXP’s S32 compute, networking, system power
management and energy distribution with middleware, OSes, tooling and other
software from the world’s leading automotive software providers.
For more information, please visit nxp.com/CoreRideZ248.
About NXP Semiconductors
NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) is the trusted partner for innovative
solutions in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communications
infrastructure markets. NXP’s “Brighter Together” approach combines leading-edge
technology with pioneering people to develop system solutions that make the
connected world better, safer, and more secure. The company has operations in
more than 30 countries and posted revenue of $12.27 billion in 2025. Find out more
at www.nxp.com.
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