Speedo has launched a new swimsuit, called the Speedo LZR Racer, which is said to provide swimmers with up to 5 percent more efficiency in terms of oxygen intake, making it easier for them to swim longer. The swimsuit will be launched at national trials worldwide from March 2008 and a retail version will follow two months later. Speedo, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, says it asked the U.S. space agency, NASA, and other international research institutes to help create what Speedo claims to be now the world’s fastest swimsuit. It has been designed to have 10 percent less passive drag than the brand’s Fastskin FSII, launched in 2004, and 5 percent less passive drag than its FS-PRO, launched in March 2007. The new swimsuit is made from an ultra-lightweight, low-drag, water-repellent and fast-drying fabric called LZR Pulse, invented by Speedo. According to Speedo, it is the world’s first fully bonded swimsuit that is ultrasonically welded to give the effect of zero seams. It features a 3-D anatomical shape with a corset-like grip to help swimmers maintain the best body position in the water. To make the suit, Speedo scanned the bodies of over 400 swimmers and held technical tests involving over 100 fabrics and suit designs.