Zefiro (train)

Zefiro
Company type	Product line
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	November 2005
Founder	Bombardier Transportation
Area served	China, Europe, Sweden, Norway
Products	High-speed trains (Zefiro 250, Zefiro 300, Zefiro 380, Zefiro Express)
Owner	Bombardier Transportation (until acquisition by Alstom)
Parent	Bombardier Transportation (until acquisition), then Alstom

Zefiro represents a series of high-speed rail passenger trains developed by Bombardier Transportation, capable of reaching maximum operational speeds between and .

This series comprises the Zefiro 250, fully produced in China, with a peak speed of ; the Zefiro 300, engineered for speeds up to but typically running at ; and the Zefiro 380, which operates at a top speed of and is designed for speeds reaching .

By 2024, Alstom had incorporated the Zefiro 250, 380, and Express variants into its Avelia Stream high-speed train lineup.

Background

Bombardier Transportation, along with its antecedents, has manufactured numerous high-speed trainsets through partnerships with leading industrial groups, including Germany’s Intercity-Express, Spain’s AVE Class 102 and RENFE Class 130, Switzerland’s ICN, the United States’ Acela express, as well as contributing components for Europe’s TGV Duplex, Eurostar, Thalys, and ETR 500.

Separately, Bombardier created high-speed trains tailored to specific regional markets such as China’s CRH1 ("Xinshisu"), Sweden’s X 2000 and Regina, and Norway’s Class 71.

The Zefiro single-deck high-speed train was introduced by Bombardier in November 2005, available in configurations of 4, 8, 12, or 16 cars. It supports multiple electrical supply voltages and is built in either standard (2.9 m) or wide (3.4 m) body widths, designed for versatile use across international rail systems.

Following Alstom's acquisition of Bombardier, regulatory requirements led to the announcement in December 2021 that intellectual property rights and business operations related to the Zefiro V300 would be transferred to Hitachi Rail. This divestiture was necessary to satisfy EU antitrust regulations and was completed on 1 July 2022.

Design

The Zefiro trainset is a traditional single-deck electric multiple unit high-speed train composed of both powered and unpowered cars, with motorized power cars positioned at each end. The car bodies are mainly constructed from aluminium, except for the wide-bodied Zefiro 250 models which utilize stainless steel. Interior layouts offer flexibility with open-plan arrangements.

Each train is formed from 4-car segments, each equipped with its own transformer and power source. Generally, powered bogies are located on the end cars within each segment while intermediate cars remain unpowered; pantographs are installed on unpowered cars.

Designs current as of 2009 employ asynchronous three-phase motors featuring forced air cooling. Additionally, Bombardier provides permanent-magnet synchronous motors under its "ECO4" energy-efficient technology suite, which were trialed on modified Bombardier Regina trains in 2008.

Zefiro 250

The initial Zefiro model produced was a batch of twenty 16-car EMU sleeper trains built by Bombardier’s joint venture Sifang Power (Qingdao) Transportation (BSP), delivered starting in 2009. These trains were the first high-speed sleeper units authorized for manufacture in China and hold the distinction of being the fastest sleeper trains worldwide. They are designated CRH1E by China Railways.

Notable performance figures include acceleration exceeding 0.6 m/s², a total weight of 859 t for the full 16-car set, and an axle load of 16.5 t. The bogies are derived from those used on the Bombardier Regina with a wheelbase measuring 2.7 m; motorized axles account for 63% of all axles.

In July 2010, the Ministry of Railways placed an order for an additional forty 8-car CRH1E Zefiro trains from the Sifang joint venture. Subsequently, in September 2012, a further order was made for one hundred six 8-car trains including sixty units of the enhanced Zefiro 250NG variant, which incorporates material advancements aimed at reducing weight and improving operational efficiency.

Zefiro 300

The Zefiro 300 model is tailored for the European market, incorporating a UIC loading gauge and compatibility with the four principal European electrification standards (1.5 & 3 kV DC, 15 & 25 kV AC). It utilizes FLEXX bogies featuring a 2.85 m wheelbase, with half of the axles powered, enabling acceleration rates exceeding 0.60 m/s² and maintaining an axle load near 17 tonnes. Two sets of eight cars can be coupled to create longer train formations.

In 2010, Bombardier, collaborating with AnsaldoBreda, proposed a Zefiro 300 variant to Trenitalia as part of a bid for a high-speed fleet consisting of 50 trains. Trenitalia awarded the contract within the same year, and these trains began operation in 2015 under the name Frecciarossa 1000, substantially boosting Italy’s high-speed rail capabilities.

Subsequently, an enhanced Zefiro 300 platform was presented by a joint venture between Bombardier (now Alstom) and Hitachi Rail for the HS2 rolling stock procurement. This partnership won the contract to supply 54 trainsets, marking a significant entry into the UK's high-speed rail sector.

Zefiro 380

In September 2009, Bombardier received an order from China’s Ministry of Railways for eighty Zefiro 380 high-speed trainsets to be produced at the Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd joint venture. The contract included twenty 8-car and sixty 16-car configurations, valued at roughly 27.4 billion RMB (approximately €2.7 billion or $4 billion), with Bombardier’s portion estimated at €1.3 billion.

Initially designated under China Railways as CRH1C (8-car) and CRH1D (16-car), these trains were later reclassified as CRH380C/CRH380CL and subsequently renamed CRH380D (8-car) and CRH380DL (16-car) following updates to the classification system.

By September 2012, the order was revised to consist of seventy 8-car CRH380D units alongside 46 Zefiro 250 and 60 Zefiro 250NG sets. All eighty-five trainsets have been delivered and are currently operated by the Shanghai and Chengdu Railway Bureaus.

Västtrafik X80

In 2018, Swedish regional transit authority Västtrafik placed an order for 40 trains—initially designated EMU200 and later renamed X80—which was subsequently increased to 45 units. These three-car trainsets measure approximately 80 meters in length and are engineered to reach speeds up to . The original delivery schedule targeted late 2021 but was postponed due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Västtrafik anticipated receiving the first unit in Västerås by April 2022, with four additional sets expected during spring. Service commencement was planned for spring 2024. These trains are specially designed to endure severe Nordic weather conditions, capable of operating in temperatures as low as -40°C and managing snow accumulations up to 80 cm.

The design incorporates a winter package featuring an upgraded propulsion system, single-axle drives, and improved slip-slide control mechanisms. The car bodies were manufactured by Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd in China, with final assembly conducted at Bombardier’s Hennigsdorf plant in Germany. The fleet underwent rigorous temperature trials and was scheduled for further winter testing in Sweden throughout 2022.

In 2023, delivery timelines were extended to 2025 due to necessary modifications related to indoor climate control systems following comprehensive winter evaluations.

SJ Zefiro Express

In 2021, the Swedish rail company SJ placed an order for 25 Bombardier Zefiro trains, expected to commence operations by 2026, with a maximum speed of .

Each unit will accommodate 363 passengers and is specifically designed to function efficiently in extreme cold conditions down to -40°C. These trains are certified for seamless cross-border travel and approved for service in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

External links

Bombardier Zefiro official website