Opel are now diversifying their EcoFlex range with with two new, LPG adapted (Liquid Petrolium Gas) additions. The Astra 5-door hatchback and the Astra Sport Tourer will get the more grunty engine while the Meriva will keep it simple with a less powerful and less thirsty version of the former.
This is not Opel‘s LPG debut however. They have been building LPG adapted cars since 2009. Last year, Corsas have started rolling out of the factory with 1.2, LPG modified EcoFlexes that deliver a nimble 83 hp figure and return 110 g/km CO2 which is absolutely not bad for a non-diesel. Now the Astra and the Meriva represent a follow up: they will both get a 1.4 Turbo EcoFLEX designed to sip LPG or run on petrol depending on the driver’s choice. The Meriva engine is slightly underpowered, producing 120 horse powers, 175 Nm of torque while the Astra hatch/Sport Tourer have 140 hp and 200 Nm of torque at their disposal. Carbon dioxide emission figures are 124 g/km and 129 g/km/132 g/km respectively on the combined cycle. Running costs can drop by up to 15% if one prefers driving on LPG and because the engines are Euro 5 rated, road taxation wont be much of a problem. The Astra and the Meriva certainly wont be the last to come with LPG as there are plans to start production of LPG powered Insignia and Zafira models later this year.
The systems are perfectly fitted to cause minimal discomfort to the passengers and driver – the LPG tank is separate and embedded where one would expect to see the spare-wheel (The wheel itself still comes as standard). And because of having a normal petrol tank, just like any other car, the Opels have a combined range of more then 1400 miles if both containers are full. Transition from Petrol to LPG and back is done seamlessly with an ON/OFF button on the center console.
LPG integration is part of Opel‘s initiative to lead the “green” market by offering neat alternatives to pure petrol and diesel cars. The new EcoFLEX units will make a fine addition to an already broad portfolio of electric cars and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles.
LPG, already familiar to Eastern Europe, is now gathering popularity in Western Europe as well. Over 80 % of the LPG Opels produced have went on the Italian market. The overall infrastructure which allows LPG cars to keep moving is widespread with 6,400 LPG filling stations in Germany alone. Other LPG friendly countries include France, the Netherlands, Belgium and even Britain.
Source: Opel
Vauxhall has introduced the new 2012 Zafira Tourer at the Frakfurt Motor Show. The vehicle will be positioned above the current Zafira model in Vauxhall’s line-up and is set to raise the bar for design, luxury, flexibility and innovation in the MPV sector.
Opel has announced the new 2012 Insignia coming with best-in-class new 1.4 turbo ecoFLEX engine, new 2.0 turbo petrol, Start/Stop system and added value.
Vauxhall has price the new Corsavan 1.3 CDTi 16v with 95PS ecoFLEX, which boasts Start/Stop system and achieves sub-100g/km of CO2.
2011 Opel Corsa comes with new engine line-up, better chassis and steering and some nice edition models to suit all tastes and styles.
Opel Astra Sports Tourer now can be ordered and the first deliveries will start later this year. The entry level Sports Tourer is the 1.4 ecoFLEX developing 100hp. Furthermore, the car comes with he lowest insurance rating of all the compact class wagons evaluated by the Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) in Germany. 
2011 Vauxhall Meriva now has full diesel engine line up with the addition of two ultra-efficient power units. So the engine range of Meriva now features three petrol and four diesel power plants.
Opel will excite Geneva Motor Show goers March 4 when it unveils the Meriva – a fresh, innovative, flexible champion for the monocab segment. Opel also will exhibit the company’s push to be a leader of environmentally responsible motoring with the debut of its futuristic concept car, the Opel Ampera extended-range electric vehicle and new Corsa, a fuel miser with up to 13 percent saving in fuel consumption.
With CO2 emissions of just 109g/km and combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg, the new Astra ecoFLEX brings even greater efficiency to Vauxhall’s recently launched compact hatch range, which has already seen a 13.3 per cent average improvement over the previous model.
Seems like all car makers try to make the greenest car. The big naturally aspirated engines are history, because small turbo charged engines take their place. More power efficient, less CO2 is the perfect formula for catching customer attention.
Vauxhall didn’t miss to make the Sports Tourer greener, too. More power, less fuel consumption, less CO2 . Looks like these engines don’t have limits and everything is inside the software. We are much eager to see how an enormous 2.0 liter 160bhp estate car will manage to make 826 miles with one tank of fuel.