The list of New LPG factory fitted Models of Cars for sale in Europe is growing continuously, more and more brands offer versions of their cars incorporating LPG which is enhanced by the advantages:
Although it can be established that operating in LPG mode the vehicle consumes a little more than gasoline, the price of fuel has a saving of more than 30%
The refilling from the supplier is carried out in a time comparable to that necessary for refueling gasoline. The system is, likewise, very simple and comfortable.
Being a cleaner system, catalytic converters, filters, "adblues" are eliminated, which reduces the possibility of mechanical breakdowns. Thus, for example, the service life of the oil increases with what it means for motor care
A few days ago, we talked about the beloved Piaggio Porter van in its Electric-Power version, ie with batteries and an electric motor. Today it is time to try another motorization of the Porter range. And it is that the Lords of Piaggio seem to have an arsenal of ECO measures in their range of commercial vehicles.
In particular we are talking about a gasoline engine that comes with two bi-fuel options. We can choose the Piaggio Porter Eco-Power that works indiscriminately with petrol or LPG, or the Porter Green-Power that works with petrol or methane (compressed natural gas).
Its thing is to start talking about the engine and choose one or the other option, the propeller will be the same. We're talking about a tetracyclic 1.3 atmospheric gasoline that produces 71 horsepower at 5,300 rpm (if it burns petrol) with a maximum torque of 105 Nm at a speed of 4300 rpm.
It has multipoint injection with double overhead camshaft (DOCH) controlled by maintenance-free chain and 16 valves. It also complies with the Euro5 standard, as it could not be otherwise. This is a not very narrow petrol engine, ideal to withstand the hard work that we will undergo because we are talking about a commercial vehicle.
This engine allows us to run on petrol with LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) in our Piaggio. This is achieved with minor modifications in the injection system, as well as a "special" tank that stores the gas.
The advantages compared to the engine that burns only petrol are different. First, there is the operating cost of the van. LPG is a very economical fuel. Today it was 0.70 euros. Therefore, the use of the van adapted to LPG is even cheaper than using the diesel engine.
In addition, the gas burning in the cylinders instead of the petrol, makes the engine win in case of losses. That is to say, the propeller offers less maximum torque at high revs (101 Nm instead of 105 Nm) but it has more force in the lower area of the speedometer, so as to give almost its full torque from 2000 rpm.
This is a very interesting feature because we are talking about a van that will have to drag large loads and goods. In contrast, the maximum power decreases a pair of horses that remain at 69. This makes the LPG engine a worthy rival of the diesel.
Economy of use with an economical fuel, together with a reduced maintenance and a high reliability due to the fact that it is a gasoline engine aspirated. This together with the smoothness of the march and power. If I'm honest about writing these two articles about Porter, I was entering into a desire to be self-contained or something just to be able to drive one of these and you really feel "happy" at the Piaggio Porter commands.
