Ford of Italy adds LPG option to the Focus and C-Max

Ford of Italy has announced a new LPG-option for the Focus and the C-Max. The option comes from a kit sourced from BRC Equipment and can be installed by M.T.M. s.r.l. (owned by BRC). The kit allows the vehicles to use either unleaded gasoline or LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). The kit is installed to the 2.0-liter 145 HP gasoline engine. The new gas reservoir is installed into the gap usually reserved for the spare tire, holds up to 48 liters of LPG (enough for up to 400 kilometers of driving). The system is electronically managed and uses software that switches from gasoline to LPG automatically depending on engine conditions. While there are plenty of conversion kits available in Italy, it is only recently that automakers have started to offer them in new vehicles and under standard warranties.

Opel adds turbo option to the CNG Meriva

Until now, if you wanted to drive a large natural gas-powered vehicle, one option was the Opel Zafira which could haul you and your beloved ones around, albeit with only 96 HP from the 1.6-liter engine. Well, since there seems to always be a market for more power, Opel has adapted this engine to a turbo version, something that boosts power to 150 HP, (more here). This puts the Zafira in the same leage as the VW Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel. The Zafira Turbo CNG could be on sale in 2009. Opel is currently selling two CNG cars in Germany, the Meriva and the Opel Combi, at €23,640 and €17,737, respectively.

Fiat to introduce natural gas fueled Palio in India

Fiat is reportedly planning on introducing a natural gas-fueled version of its Palio compact in the Indian market in 2009. Compressed natural gas is a popular fuel in India, especially for buses. There are also experiments ongoing with using Hythane, a blend of 10 percent hydrogen gas along with the natural gas. The Palio hatchback is already available with both gas and diesel engines in India. Fiat is planning several vehicle introductions in the coming months in India including the tiny 500 and locally-produced versions of the Grande Punto and Linea. The 500s will be imported from the plant in Poland that produces them for the European market.

IFP creates a mild hybrid Smart that uses natural gas

The Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP, French Oil Institute), has introduced a natural gas-powered car which reduces its CO₂ emissions down to 84 g/km. The prototype, called Vehgan, was made from a standard older model Smart Fortwo with several technologies added to reduce fuel consumption. First of all, there is a downsized engine which uses a turbo and an intercooler, in this case, optimized for use with natural gas. Then, the powertrain is mated to a Valeo StARS 14V+X hybrid system, for which the IFP developed a new management process to minimize fuel consumption. This mild hybrid system has a Start&Stop function and features regenerative braking.

The car has a range of about 200 km (120 miles), but the composite-made gas reservoirs don't affect the vehicle interior. IFP expects future developments to reduce CO₂ emissions down to 80 g/km. That would be 32 percent less than the standard gasoline version. Oh, and let's mention that despite Smart being a German brand, the factory that makes these cars is in France

Methane version of Fiat Grande Punto coming later this year

Fiat was recently named the lowest CO2-producing automaker in Europe. One reason if the brand's collection of small cars, some with alternative powertrains. Buried in an article about Fiat's low-CO2 win, reader Justin C. noticed that Fiat is readying a new version of its Grande Punto, one that can use methane for clean forward motion. Carpages says that the methane-petrol dual fuel system Grande Punto is supposed to be on sale by the end of this year. Other Fiat models that have this system include the Doblò, Doblò Cargo, Multipla, Panda and the Panda Van. Fiat says the Natural Power system is excellent for many Fiat users, especially trade customers. Fiat also offers a T-Jet version of the Grande Punto that gets 35 mpg on the combined EU cycle and emits 155 grams of CO2 per km. Thanks to Justin C. for the tip!