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IMPCO, VarityPerkins to Provide Clean Burning Natural Gas Powered Engines

9 October 1997

IMPCO Teams With VarityPerkins to Provide Clean Burning Natural Gas Powered Engines for Heavy Commercial Vehicle Fleets

    CERRITOS, Calif., Oct. 9 -- IMPCO Technologies
(Nasdaq: IMCO, IMCOW) today announced that it is developing an alternative
fuel system for a new engine produced by British engine manufacturer
VarityPerkins that is designed to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
    The engine, the Eagle TxSi, is tailored to meet the needs of fleets
operating heavy commercial vehicles in the 30- to 38-ton range who want to
switch to natural gas power.  The engine also will be capable of operating on
compressed natural gas (CNG) and most natural gases available in Europe.
    IMPCO's alternative fuel system has been designed and developed by the
company's new Heavy Duty Engine Division based in Seattle.  This project being
undertaken by the division is in partnership with VarityPerkins, a leading
manufacturer of engines throughout the world with manufacturing facilities in
17 countries and offices worldwide.
    VarityPerkins is in the process of field testing and validating the
engine.  IMPCO estimates that the potential market for such heavy duty
commercial fleet engines worldwide will exceed $250 million by the year 2000.
    A feature that distinguishes this latest gaseous fueled engine from its
conventional competition is its electronic air and fuel management system.
The electronic gas and air control system is unique, offering significant
advantages over more conventional speed density systems.  The advantage of the
IMPCO system is in the way it simultaneously measures the mass of both air and
gas.  Measurement is precise and not inferred from temperature and pressure,
as is the case with many other gas fuel systems in use today.  Improved
performance and economy are the results.
    VarityPerkins is a specialist in gas engine technology and the leading UK
manufacturer of gaseous fueled engines for the off-highway sector.  Its
gaseous fueled engines are in operation in over 300 locations around the
world.
    IMPCO Technologies, Inc. sells alternative fuel products and services
worldwide.  Headquartered in Cerritos, CA, the company has additional
facilities in Irvine, CA; Detroit, MI; Seattle, WA; Mt. Pleasant, IA;
Australia, the Netherlands, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.  IMPCO has
been a market leader in OEM and aftermarket gaseous fuel management systems
and components that allow internal combustion engines to operate on clean
fuels such as propane and natural gas.  IMPCO provides conversion systems for
motor vehicles, forklifts, other material handling equipment, and small
portable to large stationary engines.

SOURCE  IMPCO Technologies