Sunseeker Sales Group has taken steps to bring powerboat racing to new levels of professionalism by forming a strategic partnership with Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT). The move represents a first in the international powerboat racing arena. This collaboration between a prestigious British marine brand and Italian engine manufacturer marks a significant leap in the sport, emulating the type of alliances usually only seen in the Formula one sporting arena.

The partnership with FPT will provide a significant advantage to the Sunseeker Sales Group powerboat team, Team Sunseeker, in their attempt to secure the SuperSport Class title in the 2007 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship. The boat, a Sunseeker Challenger which is a race version of the Sunseeker XS2000, will be equipped with twin 5.9 litre FPT NEF 400 turbo diesel engines, capable of a constant power of 480hp at 3000rpm.

Equipped with quality marine components to guarantee high performance, the engine features FPT’s latest light-weight engine construction technology in a compact package. It exhibits superb fuel efficiency and a power-to-weight ratio that forces the possibility of higher speeds. The smooth power, together with the outstanding torque characteristics and low emissions, makes the engine an outstanding choice for professional powerboat racing.

The Sunseeker Challenger with its new engines will make its debut in Malta at the first race of the series from 4th to 6th May in the SuperSport Class. Throughout the Powerboat P1 Championships, which take place from May until October in a number of top European destinations, FPT will provide technical support and back-up to ensure Team Sunseeker have the best opportunity possible to claim the P1 title.

Sunseeker Sales Group has distributed luxury Sunseeker boats from its UK and Spanish networks since inception 30 years ago and is located adjacent to the UK manufacturing arm of Sunseeker. Each of the Regional Offices offers expert advice on sales of new and pre-owned Sunseekers, along with finance and insurance arrangements and most importantly a comprehensive after sales service and maintenance support for all customers.

Team Sunseeker comprises of team manager, Mel Wilby, who has a wealth of racing experience having competed in more than 80 races since 1991; his son Andy Wilby, who is the driver and has a flair for powerboat racing and has competed as driver in every national race since 2000; throttleman Gavin Brown, whose expertise is in high speed powerboat rigging and has held a powerboat racing licence since 2001 and engineer, Tony Davis, a marine engineer by trade with a specialist knowledge of marine engines, sea trial and navigation.

Managing director at Sunseeker Sales Group, Dominic Byrne, says: "Participation in one of the world’s top endurance championships is very important to us. P1 is the most professionally organised powerboat race series in the world, emulating Formula one, and provides us with a spectacular way to demonstrate the true quality of the Sunseeker brand. The significant refinements to the Sunseeker Challenger race boat will further enhance performance and provide our team with the best possible opportunity to compete for the top prestigious title."
 

Born in March 2005 and located in Turin (Italy), Fiat Powertrain Technologies is the Fiat Group sector including all the powertrain activities previously carried on at Fiat Auto, Iveco, Fiat Research Centre and Elasis. With a yearly production of some 2.8 million engines and 2.1 million transmissions, 19.000 employees, 16 plants and 10 Research & Development centres located in eight countries, FPT is one of the most significant players in the powertrain sector on a worldwide basis. Thanks to an extremely wide range of products and technologies, FPT can satisfy almost any powertrain request, ensuring performance, reliability and efficiency to its customers. FPT Chief Executive Officer, Alfredo Altavilla, comments: "After the success achieved in the last period, Fiat Group wants to reinforce its presence in any application segment, including engines for the marine sector. Fiat Powertrain Technologies, relying upon a long tradition in powertrains for marine application, is the right solution also for the extreme need of performance and reliability of an excellent racing boat."

Vice President of Sales & Marketing at FPT, Natale Rigano, comments: "Customer’s satisfaction is fundamental for us at FPT! That’s why we worked hard in the last six months with the Sunseeker team, in order to develop this agreement which is being announced today and which makes us very proud! We are proud to have the chance of working with one of the most important shipyards in England and in the world. We are proud of providing Sunseeker with our best in class engine for marine applications and of being back in the world of marine racing, where FPT has an important tradition."

The Powerboat P1 World Championships is one of the fastest growing motorsports in Europe, with sleek powerful boats competing for challenge and glory. Televised to over 100 million homes worldwide, the P1 2007 race calendar features Grand Prix events in Malta, Italy, Germany, England and Portugal. Barry McGovern, commercial director of P1, says: "We became the promoter of the World Endurance Championship in 2002, renamed it P1 and immediately set about developing a sporting and business model that would provide the marine industry with a well organised, credible and sustainable platform from which to develop and promote its products worldwide. This announcement between one of the most respected and prestigious names in boat building and a global automotive engine manufacturer recognised for its innovation and powertrain technology, is the best possible endorsement of Powerboat P1. It also adds another dimension to our championship with the first Formula one-style engine tie-up, something that we are sure will capture the interest of the marine and motorsports industries."