Gassing up in Vauxhall vans
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• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-powered versions of Vauxhall's Corsa, Combo and Astra vans will debut during the first quarter of 1998.
This follows the launch of a compressed natural gas (CNG) Combo (the Combo Dualfuel) at this year's London Motor Show. The LPG vans will also run on petrol; a feature shared with the Dualfuel.
"We believe there will be a demand for both CNG and LPG light commercials," says Vauxhall Vans brand manager Darren Payne. "We have to recognise, however, that LPG is more readily available than CNG, with around 100 pumps on forecourts around the UK."
To date here are only 12 public CNG pumps in Britain, mainly in the Midlands and SouthEast. Payne predicts "several hundred" CNG Combos will find buyers; mainly in the public sector and charities.
LPG conversions weigh less than CNG: Combo Dualfuers total carrying capacity drops from 598kg in the petrol Merit model to 482kg.
The Combo Dualfuel costs £ 10,920 (ex-VAT) delivered; £ 1,965 more than a standard petrol-engined 1.4i Combo Merit. The relative price premium will be the same for the LPG vans but the Energy Saving Trust is offering grants which will cut these premiums by up to 50%.
All Vauxhall dealers will sell gas-fuelled vans. At present only 10 provide an aftersales service but Payne promises that this number will rise as the parc increases.
Much of the LPG/CNG development has been completed by the vehicle emissions laboratories at the Millbrook Proving Ground.
impressions
CNG reduces the 1.4-litre engine's power from 60hp (45kW) at 5,400rpm to 34hp (40kW) at 5,200rpm. Maximum torque drops from 78Ibft at 3,000rpm to 661bft at the same engine speed.
These torque and horsepower reductions are immediately evident when running on gas. Fully laden, the van would probably struggle in hilly country, and the Combo was marginally slower starting on gas than on petrol.