Fiat introduces Lancia Ypsilon Ecochic Methane with 0.9 Turbo TwinAir dual fuel engine
12 December 2012
The Lancia Ypsilon Ecochic Methane, which offers a dual fuel 0.9 Turbo TwinAir engine, can now be ordered in Italy, with list prices starting at €16,500 (US$21,595). The new dual-fuel Lancia Ypsilon Ecochic delivers reduced CO2 (86 g/km) emission levels and low fuel consumption (3.1 kg/100 km in the combined type-approval cycle) when running on methane. With the dual tank, the total range exceeds 1,300 km (808 miles).
The new 80 hp (60 kW) 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Bi-Fuel is a turbocharged engine. Compared to the gasoline version, the TwinAir methane includes specific fuel system components, including the intake manifold, injectors, electronic engine control system and valve seats with specific geometry made of low-wear material.
The two fuel systems (methane and gasoline) are reciprocally independent: in normal conditions, the engine runs on methane and is always only started on gasoline, switching automatically and immediately to the other system. The engine only switches to gasoline if the gas is about to run out. It is nevertheless always possible to switch from methane to gasoline and back again as desired, by pressing a button on the dashboard.
Two methane tanks—containing about 12 kg, which corresponds to 72 liters at a pressure of 200 bar—are arranged under the floor to keep the luggage volume virtually unchanged (202 liter). The gasoline tank size is the same as for the gasoline version of the Ypsilon: a capacity of 40 liters (10.6 gallons US).
This could be a smart way to solve previous problem with cold weather start for methane and NG/SG vehicles.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 December 2012 at 12:14 PM
Fiat boss NG vehicles and are the world leader.
They don't charge the massive premiums that American producers do, so it can be truly economic to the consumer.
Posted by: Davemart | 12 December 2012 at 12:27 PM
Turbocharging has always been the way to address the volumetric charge-density issues created by carbureted methane.
Note the low pressures of the storage tanks: 200 bar compared to 350 or even 700 bar for H2 systems. This means lighter, cheaper tanks. 12 kg of methane has the LHV of 13.5 kg of gasoline, or about 4.7 gallons worth. With a home compressor like a Phill, most drivers would seldom use gasoline except for starting.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 13 December 2012 at 05:21 PM