On the day it debuts, the 80hp electric outboard system Deep Blue from Torqeedo wins the boat industry's prize for the most important innovation of the year - the DAME Award.

Torqeedo is recognized as the world's leading manufacturer of electric outboards, especially in the smaller hp range - up to 8hp. Now, with a new 80hp motor, the company is gearing up to support electric mobility in the higher hp ranges. The magnitude of this achievement was recognized in Amsterdam last month when Torqeedo was awarded the renowned DAME Award: the award for the boat industry's most important innovation for the coming year.

In their report, the jury praised Torqeedo's groundbreaking research and development, saying, "In bringing this truly original product to the marine market, Deep Blue's designers have achieved a first-class package that offers convenience, price worthiness and performance." The jury selected Deep Blue from 115 innovations of the marine industry from 25 countries as the overall winner.

Deep Blue now offers the typical Torqeedo benefits to the higher performance classes: outstanding efficiency to give greater power and range from a limited battery supply together with more convenience. It features an on-board computer that uses GPS to calculate remaining range and displays travel time and direction to individual waypoints. Finally, it provides greater safety thanks to automotive standards in the battery technology and redundant electrical components.

Torqeedo has achieved a special coup by establishing a partnership with Johnson Controls, the world's leading automotive suppliers of battery technology. For the Deep Blue System, lithium batteries from the automotive industry were developed further for maritime applications. As a result, the Deep Blue system's batteries come with a 9-year capacity warranty.

Because battery costs are independent of the intensity of usage, the Deep Blue system makes a lot of sense for commercial users. "Commercial users with gasoline costs over $5,800 per year should check whether Deep Blue meets their speed and range requirements," said Torqeedo founder and CEO Dr. Christoph Ballin. "If they do, the change from gasoline to electric motors could mean these users can start saving money today. The fact that the electric motors are naturally environmentally friendlier and future-oriented, as well as much quieter is a bonus."

In addition, boat owners on waters where the use of gasoline motors is limited or forbidden can rejoice. This small segment (compared to the global market) hardly justifies the industrial development and production, which is why drives that are more or less individually manufactured have dominated up until now. With Deep Blue, an industrially developed and manufactured product is available to these users with benefits in price-performance ratio, comfort, and safety - because Torqeedo's Deep Blue was developed for these applications.

Because Deep Blue is a 325V DC high-voltage system, sales will only be via boat manufacturers that take on the installation of the system during production. According to the manufacturer, there is no shortage of interest from renowned boat manufacturers in Europe and the USA.

Contact Torqeedo Inc., 171 Erick Street Unit A-1, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. 815-444-8806; Fax: 815-444-8807. usa@torqeedo.com; www.torqeedo.com.

Editor's Note: The motor is on display at the International Workboat Show this week in New Orleans, the largest commercial marine trade show in North America. Please visit Torqeedo at booth #463 through Friday.