Orbital gains on Ford supply contract

Balcatta-based engine technology firm Orbital Corp's shares have jumped after it announced it had begun production level supply of its new generation LPG fuel systems to Ford Australia.

At 1:33 (WST) Orbital shares had spiked 24 per cent to trade at $0.36.

The fuel systems will be available on Ford's EcoLPi Falcons, which will go on sale midway through the year.

Using 91 octane fuel the EcoLPi engine produces 198 kilowatts of power and 409 Newton metres of torque - more than the regular 4.0-litre petrol engine which produces 195kW and 391Nm of torque using the same fuel.

This represents a 27 per cent increase in maximum power and a 10 per cent improvement in peak torque, compared with the previous generation E-Gas LPG engine that produced 156kW and 371 Nm, Orbital said.

Falcon models the engine will be available on include the XT, G6, G6E and XR6 variants, while EcoLpi on the Falcon Ute extends to XL, R6 and XR6 variants.

Orbital was first awarded the contract in May 2009.

Orbital Autogas Systems managing director Tony Fitzgerald said the new EcoLPi Falcon was a world class product and a world first for Ford Australia and Orbital.

"The performance and driveability is amazing," Mr Fitzgerald said.

"The Falcon EcoLPi offers exceptional performance coupled with all the space, comfort and towing capability of a family sedan, while at the same time delivering the fuel costs of a much smaller car".