Superior's first whole-engine project was the XP-360, an
experimental 180-horsepower engine targeted at the homebuilt
aircraft market.

In 1996, Superior executives decided to seek FAA certification of a
180-horsepower Superior engine, which at first glance appears to be a
version of the Lycoming 0-360. The Vantage Engine is not a clone of
any Lycoming engine, according to Superior, which prefers to call
the engine "the next-generation of piston engines." Nevertheless,
every part used in the Vantage Engine also will fit on Lycoming
0-360s because all of these parts were originally certificated as
PMA replacement parts for the Lycoming engine.

Few new piston engines have received FAA certification during recent
years, probably because of the small volume of the new-aircraft
market. What makes the Vantage Engine unique is that it is the
first FAA-certificated piston engine to receive a type certificate
that allows it to run on unleaded automotive gasoline. The engine
also is approved to run on the proposed 91/98 avgas, which is not
yet being marketed.

http://www.aviationtoday.com/am/categories/maintenance/242.html

Paul Lamar