Opel announced launch of a new version of the Insignia powered by a 1.4 turbocharged LPG ecoFLEX engine. Liquefied petroleum gas engine makes roughly the same power as a petrol-powered unit, but with today’s petrol prices, it’s cheaper to run by about 40 percent and therefore more economical. The Insignia LPG has 103 kW/140 hp and averages 7.6 liters on 100 km corresponding to CO2 emissions of 124 g/km.
The LPG engine is available for all three body styles of sedan, hatchback and sport tourer (estate) versions of the car, and starts at 28,150 euro fro the sedan. All body styles with LPG have a six-speed manual transmission.
The point we have to emphasize here is that this engine runs on both petrol and LPG, which makes a hybrid and gives it incredible range when both tanks are topped up. The driver can easily alternate between the LPG and gasoline propulsion mode with a switch in the instrument panel. Both LPG and gasoline reserves are displayed in the same gauge.
The LPG tank which has a usable filling volume of 42 liters is perfectly integrated in the spare-wheel housing, ensuring that the whole trunk space of the Insignia is freely accessible. In that way the Insignia’s high level of flexibility is maintained. With a single tank of fuel, the Insignia achieves a maximum range of up to 500 kilometers; if the gasoline tank is used in addition a range of up to 1,700 kilometers can even be reached.
Insignia’s gas tank is perfectly integrated in the spare-wheel housing. This ensures that the load compartment is spacious and not restricted and also satisfies safety concerns. Opel devised specific crash tests for the gas tank and other components which are housed in collision-proof areas.