Remy and MotoCzysz to Start Production of a Revolutionary Electric Drive System- The D1g1tal Dr1ve

PENDLETON, Ind., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Remy International, Inc. announces that its subsidiary, Remy Electric Motors, LLC, has entered into an agreement with MotoCzysz LLC to bring a revolutionary, new generation electric drive system to market.  The unique drive system leverages Remy's patented High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) electric motor technology and patent-pending cooling and integration technology from MotoCzysz. The resulting breakthrough is a "complete electric drive system" optimized to elicit and manage the full performance benefit of the powerful Remy motor.  The new integrated D1g1tal Dr1ve is the first of its kind of a new classification of complete electric drive solutions.  Its compact size, originating from motorcycle racing and winning performance, are expected to provide a remarkable efficiency advantage to automobile and other vehicle manufacturers.

MotoCzysz is an internationally recognized design and engineering firm and considered the leading innovator in the American motorcycle industry.  Today, the company focuses primarily on electric drive systems and electric vehicles. "I believe electric drives are the purest and best solution to propel the majority of automobiles around the world. The D1g1tal Dr1ve was designed specifically with that vision in mind.  Our partnership with Remy Electric Motors will allow us to deliver a modern, simpler, evolved replacement for the 100 year-old gas engine. Remy is a powerhouse in electric motor design and manufacturing and our first choice for a partner in this emerging sector," says Michael Czysz, Founder and CEO of MotoCzysz.  Czysz concludes, "Our mutual goal is for the D1g1tal Dr1ve to deliver the highest performance, greatest efficiency and most integrated packaging solution available for companies needing electric drive solutions."

Remy, a leading global manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of light duty starters and alternators and Delco Remy brand heavy-duty systems, also manufactures electric motors for hybrid and electric vehicles. With over a billion miles of proven reliability, Remy motors are an industry leader. Remy CEO John Weber says, "MotoCzysz proved their ability to optimize a Remy motor with their astounding test results and win in the TT Zero electric motorcycle race on the Isle of Man this year. Integrating that same groundbreaking engineering with the patented Remy HVH motor is a win for our electric automotive and light duty commercial customers. Remy and MotoCzysz have the experience and technology to make this remarkable propulsion system the new industry standard for electric automobiles."

The new D1g1tal Dr1ve combines high performance and efficiency in the smallest, most integrated solution available. The system was originally designed to fit a motorcycle frame. When applied to automobiles, this weight and size advantage, coupled with disproportionately high performance, will leapfrog other systems and provide OEMs, integrators and converters unheard of efficiencies. In typical electric vehicles, various components from a variety of vendors are assembled and then connected together via wires. The D1g1tal Dr1ve system optimizes and matches all high-voltage components in a single housing. The highly integrated system is packaged as a "super axle" located between the two drive wheels, delivering torque with unprecedented efficiency and compactness.  Additionally the D1g1tal Dr1ve's nearly wireless solution provides additional overall safety for the vehicle.

The first D1g1tal Dr1ve utilizing a liquid-cooled Remy internal permanent magnet (IPM) motor will create class-leading torque (250ft/lbs) and 100kW (135hp) of power at 93% efficiency, measured at the rotor.  Future models will extend the D1g1tal Dr1ve range to include an even more powerful drive as well as a smaller, more compact option.  Remy and MotoCzysz will make the game-changing D1g1tal Dr1ve unit available in the second quarter of 2011.

About Remy International, Inc.

Remy International, Inc., headquartered in Pendleton, Indiana, is a leading global manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of light duty starters and alternators and Delco Remy brand heavy-duty systems.  Remy International also manufactures and distributes electric propulsion motors designed with leading edge technology and backed by the security of over a billion miles of proven reliability. In business for over 100 years, today Remy International is actively collaborating with companies throughout the world to develop innovations that are transforming the vehicle industry. Recently, Remy International was recognized by the United States Department of Energy for its leadership role in the hybrid technologies space and awarded a $60 million grant under the Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative.

To learn more, visit the Remy brand website at www.remyinc.com

About MotoCzysz, LLC.

MotoCzysz is a design and engineering firm that has been awarded numerous patents and now focuses primarily on electric drive systems and electric vehicles.  MotoCzysz recently utilized the D1g1tal Dr1ve in the MotoCzysz E1pc experimental electric motorcycle and won the two largest and most important electric races in 2010; Isle of Man TT zero, IOM and the e-Power Red Bull MotoGP, Laguna Seca.  MotoCzysz is also working with Indian Automotive and Motorcycle giant Bajaj on a bold solution for a next generation electric car.

To learn more, visit the MotoCzysz website at www.motoczysz.com

This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number DE-EE0002023.  This release was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government.  Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.  Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.  The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof."

SOURCE Remy International, Inc.