Economical: LPG and CNG roughly half as expensive as premium gasoline
Eco-friendly: Alternative drives with especially clean combustion
Long-range: Insignia can cover up to 1,700 km without refueling in bivalent operation
Successful: Opel ranked second in Europe for alternative fuel drive
Rüsselsheim. They are frugal, clean and very economical: Vehicles with alternative LPG or CNG drive. Therefore, Opel is continuously extended its range of model available with LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). The latest addition to the LPG fleet is the new Opel Corsa. Currently, twelve LPG models are available. In addition, Opel offers three eco-friendly CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) models. One important advantage when buying one of these vehicles is: All drives are developed entirely by Opel and available ex works. These reasons obviously appeal to customers too. Last year more than 26,000 customers decided to buy an Opel LPG or CNG model giving the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker second place in the overall alternative fuel drive rankings. Opel is even the most popular when just considering LPG models and that popularity is growing. In the first two months of 2015, Opel saw LPG and CNG sales grow by around 35% compared to the same period of 2014, Italy is the most important market.
“Energy efficiency and CO2 reduction are extremely important for us throughout our portfolio,” said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group. “Opel has a wide range of LPG and CNG vehicles and can offer real alternatives no matter what the requirements. The vehicles are not only eco-friendly; they are also especially economical and suitable for everyday use.”
LPG: Eco-friendly, stable in price and available nationwide
Liquefied Petroleum Gas is already extremely popular because of its many advantages. At the beginning of 2015, more than 500,000 with this drive were registered in Germany – which is no real surprise considering that the fuel costs roughly half as much as premium gasoline does. Furthermore, the German state has committed to maintaining the tax advantages for LPG vehicles until at least 2018. Liquefied Petroleum Gas is currently available at 7,000 gas stations in Germany and more than 35,000 gas stations throughout Europe. And more important the environment benefits just as much as the pocket does. LPG vehicles, with their mixture of butane and propane emit up to 15 percent less carbon dioxide and up to 80 percent less nitrogen oxides than cars with a conventional drive.
Minimal costs, maximum flexibility with the LPG models
Opel currently offers the largest LPG portfolio of any German carmaker with 12 models, those being: ADAM, Corsa (three and five-door), Meriva, Astra (five-door, sedan and Sports Tourer), Mokka, Zafira Tourer and Insignia (four-door, five-door and Sports Tourer).
The Opel ADAM enjoys great popularity – and that also goes for the 64 kW/87 PS 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX. With emissions of only 108 grams of CO2 per kilometer (6.6 liters of liquefied gas per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle) when in LPG operation, the ADAM reaches efficiency class B in Germany. The alternative individualization champion is available from euro 16,400 (all prices RRP including VAT in Germany).
The new Opel Corsa 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX with 66 kW/90 hp uses only 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle when in LPG operation and therefore only emits 113 grams of CO2 per kilometer* – roughly 13 percent less CO2 than when in gasoline mode. Just like in the ADAM, range and consumption can be viewed separately for LPG and gasoline, as well as combined via an on-board computer. The three-door LPG Corsa is available for an attractive euro 14,745, the five-door variant can be ordered from euro 15,495.
The Meriva 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX comes with an 88 kW/120 hp turbocharged engine and consumes 7.3 liters of liquefied gas per 100 kilometers which is equivalent to CO2 emissions of 119 grams per kilometer*. The Meriva can cover distances of up to 500 kilometers with one tank of liquefied gas. In combination with the gasoline tank distances of up to 1,350 kilometers are possible.
103 kW/140 hp, 124 grams of CO2 per kilometer and 7.7 liters of liquefied gas per 100 kilometers* make the alternative drive of the Opel Mokka both eco-friendly and especially economical and convenient. The front-wheel drive version has an LPG range of 400 kilometers. The Mokka with alternative energy is available from euro 24,220.
The Astra 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX is available as a five-door, sedan and Sports Tourer. Equipped with the 103kW/140 hp engine both the five-door and the sedan variants consume 7.6 liters of liquefied gas per 100 kilometers and only emit 123 grams of CO2 per kilometer. The Sports Tourer requires 7.7 liters of liquefied gas per 100 kilometers, which is equivalent to 125 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Starting at euro 21,840 the Astra LPG has a LPG range of up to 480 kilometers and a total of 1,400 kilometers can be covered between visits to the gas station.
The Insignia 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX is available for all three body variants – four and five-door sedan along with Sports Tourer. The Insignia Sports Tourer 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX combines performance with eco-friendly driving. Just as the other 140 hp engine mentioned above, the engine in the Insignia is turbocharged to deliver exceptional torque. The Sports Tourer only emits 129 grams of CO2 per kilometer* (7.9 liters per 100 kilometers) and has a range of up to 500 kilometers in LPG mode. When also using the gasoline tank it has an impressive range of 1,700 kilometers. The sedan consumes 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers (124g/km CO2)*.
The Opel Zafira Tourer 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX rounds off Opel’s current LPG portfolio in the compact van class. The flexible all-rounder with the 103 kW/140 hp turbocharged engine only consume 8.6 liters per 100 kilometers while only emitting 139 grams of CO2 per kilometer*.
Eco-friendly technology: Opel put faith in CNG drive
Opel’s CNG ecoFLEX engine have been optimized for use with natural gas, biogas or any mixture of both. Natural gas and biogas are both much cheaper than gasoline or diesel. In addition, the German government has committed to tax advantages for natural gas as a fuel until 2018, thus rewarding the eco-friendliness. CNG driven vehicles emit up to 25 percent less CO2 and up to 80 percent less NOx and are free of benzene and soot particles.
The current Opel CNG ecoFLEX offer comprises three vehicles. The Combo 1.4 CNG Turbo ecoFLEX is available as a passenger car or commercial van. The 88 kW/120 hp engine needs 4.9 kilograms of natural gas per 100 kilometers, which is equivalent to 134 grams of CO2 per kilometer. The panel van variant with a long wheelbase can be fitted with an additional gas tank. This increases the range in natural-gas-only mode from 325 to 450 kilometers. Prices for the CNG-Combo start at euro 22,979.
The Zafira Tourer also features in Opel’s CNG range. The 1.6 CNG ecoflex Zafira Tourer with its optional seven seats is both efficient and eco-friendly. The turbocharged engine delivers 110 kW/150 hp. With fuel consumption of just 4.7 kilograms (7.2 m3) high-grade natural gas per 100 kilometers over the combined cycle, the Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG ecoFLEX only emits 129 g/km CO2*.
LPG and CNG installation ex works: space-saving, safe and with guarantee
All Opel LPG and CNG variants are created directly in the plant and safety plays an especially important role during the development. The Opel checklist includes special crash tests for the gas tank and further components housed in collision-protected zones and perfectly integrated in the safety structure of the vehicle. As the gas tanks are fitted in the spare wheel well or under the vehicle floor, the full everyday suitability and loading volume of the vehicles are maintained. Customers receive their LPG or CNG car with modern technology of the typical high Opel standards ex works – including long-term durability, manufacturer warranty and maximum safety.
* with low-rolling-resistance tires
