The as yet unnamed machine runs at 180ppm, which is almost twice as fast as Xerox's previous highest speed of 92ppm.

New 128ppm and 155ppm models are also available in the series, which will be rolled out towards the end of 2004 and start of 2005.

Only basic specifications are available at this stage but the machine incorporates technology from Xerox's flagship DocuTech line for mono imaging and its top-of-the-range colour machine, iGen3, for highlight colour printing.

The machine prints in a single pass. This gives a full rated speed that Xerox claims to be three times faster than that of competitor machines which use two passes. Red and blue toners will be available at first to be  followed later by green.

The colour toners are said to be only fractionally more expensive than mono toners enabling a price per copy at 180ppm of "less than a penny".

"It's the fastest highlight colour on the market with similar running costs to black and white," said vice president product marketing for production systems, Jerry Murray.

Story by Lauretta Roberts in Chicago