March 2008

New-edition Opel Zafira and Combo with natural gas propulsion

CNG: Everyday Suitability, Environmental Compatibility, Economical

Rüsselsheim. The monovalentplus concept Opel has used in its natural gas-powered vehicles (CNG = Compressed Natural Gas) since 2002 is unique on the market. Among its many advantages and benefits, this system boasts unrivalled operating costs, produces up to 80 percent lower emissions and 20 percent less CO2 than a comparable gasoline engine. It enables an operating range of up to 380 kilometers in natural gas mode and guarantees unrestricted passenger and luggage compartment use. Opel CNG vehicles feature a gasoline reserve tank that increases operating range by around 150 kilometers, ensuring full everyday suitability. The 1.6-liter natural gas engine is designed to run on natural gas, biogas, or any mixture of the two. The natural-gas powered Zafira 1.6 CNG and Combo 1.6 CNG now bear the name ecoFLEX – a name which Opel gives to the most economical and low emission vehicle in each of its model lines.

Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG ecoFLEX: Maximum versatility thanks to patented Flex7 system

The new-edition Zafira 1.6 CNG ecoFLEX, which was launched in February 2008, also features the unique Flex7 seating system, which enables it to be transformed quickly from a seven to a two-seater without cumbersome seat removal. Thanks to the clever underfloor arrangement of the four natural gas tanks around the rear axle, the Zafira’s versatility and spaciousness remain unaltered. In its standard seating arrangement, the natural gas Zafira offers 645 liters of luggage compartment space – the largest of all seven-seat compact vans. The Zafira 1.6 CNG’s maximum load capacity is 1820 liters.
The Zafira 1.6 CNG ecoFLEX’s particular highlight is its outstanding efficiency. Average consumption of around 5.0 kg of natural gas per 100 kilometers, with an average H-gas price of 0.92 euros per kilogram (January 2008), translates into a fuel cost saving of more than 30 percent compared to diesel, and over 50 percent compared to gasoline. Tax and insurance ratings are at the same level as those of a comparable gasoline variant. The
69 kW/94 hp natural gas van also has clear advantages in terms of environmental compatibility. By virtue of its propulsion unit, it produces 80 percent less nitrogen oxide than a diesel, and almost 20 percent less CO2 than a gasoline model (nearly 10 percent less CO2 than diesel). What is more, the exhaust gases contain almost no soot particles.

High-level safety

The Zafira CNG is also ideally equipped when it comes to safety: the high-strength steel gas tanks and stainless steel gas pipes are safely located outside the impact zone. This was already confirmed by ADAC in a crash test conducted with the first Zafira CNG: “The gas tanks stored in a metal compartment remained in their original position during both frontal and side collisions, despite body deformation. They are therefore optimally protected against damage. The entire gas system stayed tightly sealed, also a result of the safety valves that automatically close on the tanks,” said the automobile club experts, summing up the test results. In addition, the results clearly showed that the risk of fire with natural gas vehicles is no higher than normal. This is also due to the fact that natural gas is much less flammable than gasoline or diesel, and in the highly unlikely event of a leak, it dissipates immediately. This means CNG vehicles can be parked in any underground garage. Like all Zafiras, the 1.6 CNG ecoFLEX also features the extensive and extremely effective SAFETEC safety system that earned the new Zafira the maximum rating of five stars for passenger protection in the Euro NCAP crash tests (European New Car Assessment Programme).

Unrestricted everyday suitability

The natural gas Zafira’s excellent efficiency and unrestricted everyday suitability is ensured by the innovative monovalentplus concept. The 1.6-liter CNG engine, which has an increased compression ratio for high efficiency, is designed to run on natural gas, biogas, or any mixture of the two.

The unit has special pistons, valves and valve-seat inserts, as well as separate injection banks for natural gas and gasoline. In addition, the engine management system was optimized for natural gas operation. A 14-liter gasoline reserve tank ensures continued mobility on routes without a natural gas filling station. Thanks to economical consumption and the four natural gas tanks’ capacity of 21 kilograms, the Zafira CNG has an operating range of around 530 kilometers.

Opel Combo 1.6 CNG ecoFLEX: Cargo volume up to 3200 liters

Available since June 2005, the Opel Combo 1.6 CNG is a spacious, multi-functional natural gas vehicle. With an average consumption of 4.9 kg of natural gas per 100 kilometers, the 69 kW/94 hp high-roof van is very economical and environmentally friendly – reason enough for Opel to give this car the name ecoFLEX, a name which Opel gives to the most economical and low emission vehicle in each of its model lines. Tax and insurance ratings are at the same level as those of the gasoline unit. The Combo CNG’s top speed is
165 km/h and acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 15 seconds.

Thanks to the clever underfloor arrangement of the three gas tanks around the Combo's space-saving rear axle, the alternative propulsion requires no compromises in terms of practicality. Just like its conventionally powered counterparts, the compact Combo CNG offers up to 3050 liters cargo volume in its five-seat Combo, Edition, Arizona and Sport variants, while the panel van even offers a maximum 3200 liters. The tanks hold
17.5 kilograms or 108 liters of natural gas. Combined with a 14-liter gasoline reserve tank, this enables an operating range of over 500 kilometers. The Combo CNG features the same high safety standards as the gasoline entry-level version. The tanks that hold the natural gas compressed to 200 bar are tested before installation at a pressure of 300 bar. The high-strength steel tanks are protected by underbody shields and, together with the stainless steel gas pipes, are located outside the impact zone.

Opel CNG Models

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