Four New 'Orbital' Scooter Models Hit European Summer Market

PERTH, Australia, June 4 Orbital Engine Corporation today announced details of product releases by Piaggio and Peugeot for the European summer.

Piaggio, the largest scooter manufacturer in Europe and maker of the famous Vespa scooter, has for the first time offered products for sale incorporating Orbital technology. Two 50cc models have been introduced, the Piaggio NRG and the Gilera Runner. These two models use a 50cc "Pure Jet" engine that incorporates the Orbital direct injection system. Both models comply with the Euro II emissions levels and achieve a fuel economy of 50 km/litre. These models are the first scooters to use Orbital's direct injection technology in combination with a simple catalyst to achieve low levels of pollution.

Peugeot Motocycles have recently launched two 50cc models incorporating Orbital direct injection, the Looxor and Elystar. The Looxor, previewed at last year's Paris Motor Show, and the innovative Elystar use the Two Stroke Direct Injection (TSDI) engine developed by Peugeot using Orbital technology. The TSDI engine complies with European emissions levels and provides much improved fuel economy and other user benefits. The Elystar introduces a new level of safety and functionality to the 50cc scooter market, including its advanced braking system.

These four models enter the market with the two Aprilia scooter models introduced in previous years.

"Aprilia, Peugeot Motocycles and Piaggio are three of the four biggest European scooter manufacturers and, based on the models launched to date, we are confident we will achieve double digit market share of the European 50cc scooter market next calendar year," Orbital's CEO, Peter Cook, said.

Synerject, the JV between Orbital and Siemens VDO, is the supplier of the fuel systems to each of these models. In addition to these products, Synerject is also supplying port injection (PI) systems to these and other customers. These include the Peugeot Elystar 125 and 150cc models, the SanYang 150 cc and the recently released Kymco 125cc. The direct injection and port injection fuel systems are complementary across a manufacturer's range, providing efficiencies and economies of scale for Synerject.

Orbital is a leading international developer of engine technologies using direct in-cylinder fuel injection and lean-burn systems for enhanced fuel economy and lower emissions. The company serves the worldwide automotive, marine, recreational and motorcycle markets. Headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, Orbital stock is traded on the Australian Stock Exchange (OEC), the New York Stock Exchange (OE) as well as the Berlin (ORE) and Frankfurt (OREA) Exchanges.