Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo uncompromising performance

Posted January 9, 2010 | Category: Cars

Now seems clear: the car of the future will protect the environment without compromising driving pleasure. In this direction, anticipating the times and competition, with the Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo is able to reconcile for the first reduced power consumption and low emissions natural gas, with the power and performance of a turbocharged engine. With the Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo, Opel opens a door to the future natural gas supply by ensuring high performance. The turbocharger on board the Zafira is ideal to fully exploit the high octane gas (120) thus providing a yield in excess of petrol without annoying knocking and consequent loss of performance. The Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo engine has been updated with pistons, valves and valve seats, special, separate injection systems for gasoline and natural gas and an electronic control unit optimized for methane. Like the naturally aspirated Ecotec engine of 1,600 cc and 1,800, including the 1600 turbo gas belongs to the third generation of the Opel engine range Family 1 characterized by lightweight construction: the weight of the block decreased by 20% than the previous engine, increasing the while the rigidity and structural strength. The cylinder head, oil pan and ducts entering the turbocharger with the butterfly valve on the side are made of aluminum. The 1600 turbo engine weighs 131 kg or methane, only 15 kg more than the corresponding aspirated version. The choice of integrating the housing of the turbocharger in the exhaust manifold is also ideal for reducing the response time of the turbo and the engine weight. The turbocharger, designed by Opel in collaboration with BorgWarner, is water cooled and is characterized by the development of optimized flow, quality of materials and long life. The Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo engine delivers 150 hp (110 kW), has a maximum torque of 210 Nm at 2300 r / min, which ensures a strong push in all situations and a smooth ride higher than normal petrol operation. The high torque allows the Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo 100 km / h from a standing start in 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 200 km / h.

Methane has an energy content higher than all other types of fuel (natural gas = 11,600 kcal / kg; gasoline = 10,300 kcal / kg fuel oil = 10,200 kcal / kg). This translates into greater efficiency and fuel economy means the Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo consumes only 5.1 kg natural gas every 100 km. Considering that the pump price of natural gas (an average of 0.83 euro / kg) is significantly lower than that of gasoline and diesel fuel, travel aboard the Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo agrees: with 4, 23 euro is 100 km. For the same distance, the petrol version 1.8 16V VVT 140 HP requires a charge of 9.50 euro while the 1.9 CDTI 150 CV requires 6.70 euro. The convenience does not stop during the purchase, if past years the owners of cars with alternative power tariffs had to deal with RC cars more expensive than traditional vehicles, some insurance companies now offer online discounted rates for travelers methane. In the event of destruction due to emissions of 139 g / km, the price of natural gas turbo version is exactly the same as the 1.8 petrol 140 hp (24,100 euro) price turnkey Enjoy Zafira CNG Turbo 27,100, 1,500 less incentive for methane and 1,500 incentive for scrap to 24,100 euro. In case of not scrapping the price of CNG Turbo will be € 1,500 higher than the 1.8 140 hp petrol: the break even point is reached and then after 28,500 km (100 km assumed cost of natural gas amounted to 4.23 euro, equal to 1.8 petrol 9.5 euro)

Natural gas is now, more environmentally friendly fuel of the market. The molecule of methane has only one carbon atom (CH4) and is characterized by an oxygen-rich combustion which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions: Zafira 1.6 CNG consumes only 5.1 kg natural gas every 100 km (combined) while CO2 emissions are just 139 g / km, ie less than 20 g / km for each of the 7 persons carried. The reduction in CO2 emissions compared to petrol car of the same power is about 25% (13% less CO2 than diesel). To this is added a quantity of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by about 70% lower than in the absence of diesel particulate matter (particulate matter).

The choice of Opel to place the four reservoirs of methane at the bottom of the platform near the rear axle, has preserved the qualities of flexibility and spaciousness that have always been the fundamental values of Zafira. Like the other versions, the 1.6 Turbo CNG has Flex7 system that allows you to quickly change from 7 to 2-seater without having to remove some seats from inside the car. The carrying capacity of natural gas Zafira ranges from a minimum of 645 liters at a maximum 1,820 liters, depending on the internal configuration and is superior to that of any other compact MPV with 7 seats.

The point of supply of natural gas in Italy as of this date 693, a number still growing and destined to rise to the increased demand triggered by the success of the last month in sales of CNG cars. In addition to 400 km, backed by four tanks of gas, the Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo, can take advantage of the spare tank of gasoline (14 liters) along 150 km without gas and thereby increasing its flexibility.

The natural gas tanks on board the Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo is in high strength steel pipes with stainless steel and have been thoroughly tested, both in the factory or in the package. The tanks are designed to withstand pressures greater than those in pursuit of 200 bar, so that during testing the law requires a strength of 300 bar. Methane then, being lighter than air, in the event of a spill is not stagnant and is dispersed into the atmosphere without forming deposits in the lower layers, as is the case for petrol. One aspect that allows CNG cars to park in underground garages and travel to the ferry without any restrictions. Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo meets the same safety standards including crash test (also played by the ADAC German), a normal car on petrol or diesel. Like all models in the Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo also has the security system SAFETEC that allowed her to get five stars for protection of persons on board in crash tests conducted by EuroNCAP.

In Italy, new registrations of cars to dual fuel, gas - methane, in the first 8 months of the year grew by 70.6% with a market share of 6.1%. This growth has seen the Opel Zafira protagonist with 2378 units sold during the period from January to August 2009 that are worth the first place among the foreign market in natural gas.

Share this news:

Other news you might like:

Ampera, electric range of 500 km The revolutionary Ampera debuted a preview ...

Opel Insignia OPC passion and dynamism The driving passion and dynamism in Opel, ...

New Opel Astra: compact, the "first class". Here are the novelties of the new Opel Astra: · ...

InCar Hotspot wireless Internet on board the Mercedes Thanks to InCar Hotspot, Mercedes-Benz ...

Citroën DS INSIDE Different Spirit, seduce and surprise ... Citroën is reinventing itself. The French company began ...

Article in Category Cars

Leave a comment