Sunseeker/Fiat/Gavin Brown

[Hasbeen]

Sunseeker teams up with Fiat for P1 Championship

By IBI Magazine

Sunseeker Sales Group has formed a strategic partnership with Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) to take powerboat racing to a new level of professionalism.

The move represents a first in the international powerboat racing arena, and the collaboration between a British marine brand and Italian engine manufacturer emulates the type of alliances usually only seen in Formula One racing.

The partnership with FPT is expected to 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 5.9L FPT NEF 400 turbo diesel engines, capable of a constant power of 480hp at 3000rpm.

The engine features FPT's latest light-weight engine construction technology in a compact package. It is claimed to have superb fuel efficiency and a power-to-weight ratio that forces the possibility of higher speeds.

With its new engines, the Sunseeker Challenger will make its debut in Malta at the first race of the series from May 4-6 in the SuperSport Class. Throughout the Powerboat P1 Championships, which take place from May until October at a number of European destinations, FPT will provide technical support and back-up.