Proton applies ecoLogic with new LPG/petrol dual fuel car range

The Proton GEN-2 range just got bigger with two new additions to the family - two dual models able to run on either liquefied  petroleum gas (LPG) or petrol.

The new ecoLogic GEN-2 is priced the same as the petrol-only equivalent. So in effect you can begin saving money immediately without the extra cost of converting (between £1,500-£2,000) to LPG running.  Autogas say there is an immediate saving in fuel costs of upto 40% using LPG. Fleet News supports this, based on an average mileage of 10,000 miles and prices of £1.12 and 58p of petrol and LPG respectively.

So is this a tried and tested alternative fuel for a car? Well,there are over 140,000 vehicles in the UK currently using LPG, and 11 million vehicles worldwide. Although the UK number seems in low proportion to the total of all vehicles running on LPG, the infrastructure for re-fuelling has had to develop from a low base. Now,it is becoming much easier to fill-up on LPG. There are currently some 1,400 re-fuelling outlets in the UK,mainly at motorway service stations and supermarkets.

As well as being cheaper to run the Proton ecoLogic GEN-2 offers a more eco-friendly alternative to petrol and diesel. As an alternative,the makers say it produces 15-20% lower emissions of CO2,and also it emits fewer particulates and less nitrous oxide. LPG is a by-product of the crude oil refining process, and so should be in plentiful supply.

As well as providing these cost saving and environmentally-friendly benefits, Proton are marketing a 1.6-litre saloon and a hatchback version to a high specification, including as standard, reverse distance sensors,electric front and rear windows,automatic central locking,air conditioning and pollen filter, and alloy wheels.

The dual operation is not complicated. From ignition ,the engine runs on petrol switching to LPG when it is most efficient to do so, usually after about 20 seconds. Faced with the need to keep costs down, you could do well to look at the Proton GEN-2 ecoLogic range of cars.In the showrooms from this month,the hatchback is priced at £10,995,the saloon £10,795.

Next up, soon, the Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion which is likely to make a stir.