Opel will offer two factory-installed LPG models, Meriva and Corsa, in France
The least alternative of the alternative fuels – LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) – has received some good news in the expanding market in France: Opel has decided to sell two factory-converted models there. The chosen models are the Corsa and the Meriva, even though the latter will be replaced soon. The Corsa version uses a 1.2-liter gasoline engine with a 34-liter tank. The model loses some power compared to the gasoline version: horsepower drops 6.25 percent (down to 75hp) but CO2 emissions are lowered by 19 g/km: 127 g/km vs. 146 g/km with the gasoline version. The Meriva uses a converted 1.4-liter gasoline engine with a 38.4-liter tank. In this case, CO2 emissions are also lowered by 19 g/km: 129 g/km vs. 148 g/km from the standard version. Thanks to tax breaks and other green incentives, either car can be bought for €10,990.
[Source: Opel via Le Blog Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gerrrg 6:16AM (10/05/2009)
Looks like the Honda Fit, but smaller.
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Laurens 7:10AM (10/05/2009)
Governments have to come up with a system that takes a global view on CO2 emissions. LPG is better CO2 wise mainly due to it's chemical formula. The same LPG can also be burnt in power-plants were it could replace heating oil, which could have been used as diesel. So where is the gain?
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KK 1:15PM (10/05/2009)
Pressurized LPG tanks are more bulky than gasoline tanks. I wonder how much cargo space you lose in a small car like this. Most Japanese taxis run on LPG and the tank takes up half the trunk.
Laurens 1:37PM (10/05/2009)
LPG used to be popular in the Netherlands, before common rail diesels made such a strong appearance. In modern installations the tank replaces the spare wheel, sometimes with a slightly raised boot floor. Driving distance is some 300 kms. With the petrol tank still there as backup.