Toyota Camry CNG Hybrid Concept: LA 2008
November 19, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Toyota Camry CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Hybrid concept debuts this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. With a pair of tanks instead of a spare tyre, doable because of run-flat tyres, the CNG-fueled Camry Hybrid has a range of up to 250 miles.
The benefits are that compressed natural gas burns cleaner, emitting fewer particulate emissions than gasoline, and CNG is still a little cheaper per gallon than petrol in the US. The downside is that CNG must be stored in cylindrical containers, so the designers lose the flexibility of being able to shape the fuel tank to suit the car’s optimal packaging. CNG’s also less dense than gas, which means less overall power than a comparable, conventionally-powered car. The big one is the usual story when it comes to new liquid fuel options, finding a filling station! Toyota says there are around 1,000 CNG pumps in the USA, and most of them aren not open to the public. So this concept is likely to remain a concept especially with the T. Boone Pickens plan off the table for now.
GM Opel Introduces First Turbocharged Compressed Natural Gas Van
November 14, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Zafira CNG Turbo 1.6-liter engine is designed to run on either natural gas, biomethane or any mixture of the two. It is GM Opel’s first turbocharged Compressed Natural Gas compact van and it will be introduced at the Bologna motor show (5-14 December 2008).
The 1.6 CNG Turbo delivers 150 hp (112 kW) of power, with maximum torque of 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) at 2,300 rpm. Fuel consumption is 5.3 kg of natural gas per 100 km in the MVEG cycle, with 144 g/km of CO2. Top speed is 200 kph (120 mph). the 1.6 CNG Turbo delivers 60% more horsepower than the naturally aspirated CNG model for a difference of 6 grams in emissions. Read more
