This from the Hobart Mercury, thanks to another discussion board...

This from the Hobart Mercury, thanks to another discussion board and Jake.
It is definitely going to happen, at last.

The Mercury, Hobart, Edition 1 -
WED 03 JUL 2002, Page 027


Delphi to give Orbital a run at last

By: KEITH DIDHAM in Detroit


THE Orbital Engine Corporation looks set to get its day in the sun at last.
After years of promising to revolutionise the efficiency of the combustion engine, Orbital has had its much-lauded fuel injection technology accepted for use in the mass vehicle market.
But investors in the Perth-based company will have to continue to be patient. The first cars to use the technology are not expected to be on the road until 2005.
The giant Delphi corporation, which holds the rights to make and sell the Orbital technology as part of its engine management system, has confirmed it has been dealing with at least four brands to use the fuel-saving technology in upcoming four-cylinder models.
Delphi, a major components supplier to the vehicle industry worldwide, will not name its customers.
It is understood General Motors -- Delphi's former parent company and its biggest customer -- will be getting the technology first and it will be made available to its subsidiaries and alliance partners in Saab, Opel, Subaru and Suzuki.
Delphi has been testing a four-stroke engine fitted with the Orbital system for durability and system integration for the past 18 months at its Brighton, Michigan and Luxembourg development centres.
In Troy, near Detroit last week, Delphi showed the engine working in one of the first mule vehicles, a Saturn sedan which was developed by Orbital in Perth.
Orbital is now building a second engine, this one based on an Opel motor, also in Perth, to continue durability testing.
Delphi said the air-assisted, direct injection system produced a 10-20 per cent saving in fuel, depending on the quality of the petrol.
Orbital's technology has already found a commercial market in two-stroke bike and marine engines.
Delphi's announcement signals the first time it has found its way into the mass four-stroke market.