PONTIAC, Mich.

FOR RELEASE: April 17, 2002

GM Powertrain Develops High-Performance Vortec 8100 V8 Concept Marine Engine

Vortec HP3 8100 poised to compete in 2002 APBA Offshore Race Series

PONTIAC, Mich.- General Motors Powertrain division has developed a high-performance Vortec 8100 V8 concept marine engine, called HP3, to demonstrate the performance capability of its stock truck engines for the marine market. The Vortec engine is the latest marine development project using the 8.1-liter V8 as its base engine and will power several boats in the 2002 APBA Offshore Race Series. The engine powered the first and second place entries at an APBA pre-season competition April 7 in St. Cloud, Fla.

Seven teams, known as the Vortec Power Team, are competing in the APBA's Super Vee Light Single and Twin divisions with identical Vortec HP3 8100 engines. The engine is very similar to the production Vortec 8100 V8 engine featured in many GM trucks and sport utilities such as the Chevrolet Silverado and Avalanche, and GMC Sierra and Yukon XL.

The Vortec HP3 8100 engine is produced at GM's engine assembly plant in Tonawanda, N.Y. The engines are then shipped to Innovation Marine Inc., in Sarasota, Fla. (Certified Racing Engines), where they are modified, tested and sealed before they are assembled into the race boats. All engines are identical. The driver and teams cannot make any adjustments to the engine. Engine performance data will be recorded throughout the season by GM for evaluation and use in its development programs.

The Vortec HP3 8100 concept engine will be the third and highest level of performance of the marinized versions of the Vortec 8100. Currently available marine versions include the Vortec HP1 8100, rated at 375 horsepower, and the Vortec HP2 8100 rated at 420 horsepower.

The HP3 is being subjected to the same demanding test procedures as other GM marine engines including in-boat and out-of-boat dyno testing. Because GM is evaluating the engine for production, details on the engine, including output, will be officially released at a later date.

"The HP3 project demonstrates our commitment to the marine market by developing more power from our stock truck engines to benefit our marine customers," said Rick Dunagan, executive director of OEM sales for GM Powertrain. "Pushing a boat through the water requires more than nine times the horsepower needed to power a truck at the same speed, and our involvement in the APBA Offshore Race Series serves as a excellent proving ground to showcase the power and durability of our Vortec marine engines in perhaps one of the toughest environments.

"Our involvement also allows us an opportunity to take what we learn on the water to improve the on-the-road durability of our production engines," said Dunagan. "Whether under the hatch of your boat or under the hood of your GM vehicle, Vortec engines deliver the uncompromised power to get you there." According to Michael Allweiss, APBA Offshore chairman and CEO, the Vortec HP3 8100 V8 engine will add a new element of excitement to the series.

"With its high-performance capabilities, the Vortec HP3 8100 will add a new dimension to our Super Vee Light division by making it more exciting for fans to watch while leveling the playing field," said Allweiss. "Drivers have indicated that races will be more competitive and you'll see more lead changes. Top speeds for the single division will reach 90 mph and 100 mph for the twin division. We think this will help make the APBA-Offshore Pro Racing Series the premier powerboat racing series in the world."

The 2002 APBA Offshore season opens April 25 in Daytona Beach, Fla., at the Daytona Harley Davidson Offshore Grand Prix and Boat Show Presented by the Daytona International Speedway. The series features 10 events at various venues including such states as Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Texas. All race weekends include a two-day format. Cable network FOX Speed Channel is telecasting all races this year. For more information log onto gmvortec.com or www.apbaoffshore.com

GM Powertrain is a global producer of engines, transmissions, castings and components for GM vehicles and other automotive, marine, and industrial OEMs. Headquartered in Pontiac, GM Powertrain has operating and coordinating responsibility for GM powertrain manufacturing plants and engineering centers in North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.