LPG

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Opel Launches Broad LPG ecoFLEX Range; GM Having Detailed Final Talks with Magna and RHJI on Offers for Opel

July 23, 2009

Opel’s LPG range. Click to enlarge.

Opel is now offering five dual-fuel LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)-powered Corsa, Meriva, Astra station wagon and Zafira models with a wide performance range, expanding its line of ecoFLEX models with alternative propulsion. The Opel LPG models can run on gasoline or LPG—the switch happens automatically, but can also be made by pressing a button.

In addition to the standard gasoline tank, these models also feature an LPG tank located either in the spare-wheel well (Corsa, Meriva, Astra station wagon) or under the vehicle floor (Zafira), ensuring storage space and load volume remain unchanged. Instead of the spare wheel, a tire repair set is on board for emergencies.

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Dacia Broadens Fuel Efficient and Low Emission Offerings With LPG and E85 Engines, new 1.2L Gasoline Unit

February 03, 2009

The Sandero 1.4 LPG. Click to enlarge.

Dacia, a member of the Renault group, is broadening its offerings of fuel-efficient and low-emissions engines. During 2009, Dacia will introduce the Sandero and Logan 1.4 LPG, Logan MCV 1.6 LPG, and the Sandero 1.6 E85 bioethanol. Sandero and Logan will also be available with a new gasoline engine, the 1.2 16V 75 hp, with CO₂ emissions of 139 g/km.

LPG. The 1.4L LPG (75 hp / 56 kW) and 1.6L LPG (90 hp / 67 kW) engines reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 12% compared with gasoline power, and offer lower emissions of criteria pollutants.

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Westport Joint Venture Juniper Introduces LPG Engines; Initial Focus on Industrial Markets with Hyundai Engine Platforms

January 15, 2009

Juniper LPG engines. Click to enlarge.

Juniper Engines Inc., a joint venture between Westport Innovations Inc. and SIT’s subsidiary OMVL SpA (OMVL) of Italy, presented its new 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter alternative fuel engines at the ProMAT Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.

Juniper’s engines, initially targeting the OEM liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) forklift market, will be fully integrated, high-performance, low-emission solutions. The Juniper products are based on the Hyundai Motor Company’s 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter industrial engine platforms, and OMVL’s LPG multipoint injection technology.

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VW Premieres New Golf Plus, Golf BiFuel (LPG) and Passat TSI EcoFuel (CNG) at Bologna Motor Show

December 04, 2008

The 7-speed DSG. Click to enlarge.

Volkswagen is staging the world premieres of the New Golf Plus and low-emissions Golf BiFuel with autogas (LPG) and gasoline drive at the Bologna (Italy) Motor Show (3-14 December). In an Italian premier, VW is showing the Passat TSI EcoFuel (earlier post). VW also introduced the Scirocco Studie R and Passat CC Individual.

Golf Plus. The new Golf Plus will be offered with five gasoline engines (59 kW / 79 hp to 118 kW / 158 hp) and four new turbo-diesel engines (66 kW / 89 hp to 103 kW / 138 hp). All engines are four-cylinder, all engines are charged starting at 89 hp, all engines fulfill the Euro-5 emissions standard. And with the exception of the base variants, any of the gasoline and diesel engines may be paired with a 6-speed or 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG). (Earlier post.) This signifies the retirement of the classic automatic with torque-converter lockup clutch in the Golf Plus and its replacement by DSG technology.

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GM Holden Reduces Pricing on LPG-Powered Commodores

August 05, 2008

The LPG system on the Alloytec V-6. Click to enlarge.

In Australia, GM Holden has reduced the cost of Holden’s dual-fuel LPG system by $1,500: from $3,900 to $2,400 on Commodore Omega, Berlina and 60th Anniversary sedans; and from $4900 to $3400 for VE Omega ute (automatic model only). The Australian Federal Government offers a rebate of $2000 on such vehicles, and the state government of Western Australia offers an additional $1,000 subsidy.

Holden’s LPG unit is an advanced Sequential Vapour Gas Injection (SVGI) system, which injects gas directly into the engine, mimicking the gasoline injection sequence. It has automatic changeover to LPG via seamless cylinder-by-cylinder activation and provides an automatic change back to gasoline at low LPG levels.

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