Opel introducing new CNG Zafira Tourer with 329-mile natural gas range, lower fuel consumption

The new Zafira Tourer 1.6 Turbo ecoFLEX natural gas version has been fitted with gas tanks made of composite material including carbon fiber. The new tank system can now hold 25 kg of natural gas, increasing the range in the CNG mode by 25%. Click to enlarge.

In January 2012, Opel will introduce a new natural gas ecoFLEX version of the Zafira Tourer—itself recently introduced at the 64^th Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The new natural gas Zafira Tourer will offer a range of up to 530 km (329 miles). Like the previous model, the Zafira Tourer features Opel’s monovalentPlus system and has a 14-liter gasoline reserve, giving it an extra 150 km (93 miles) of range.

The Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Turbo ecoFLEX delivers 110 kW (150 hp) with 210 N·m (155 lb-ft) of torque and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). The vehicle uses 4.7 kilograms (7.2 m³) of natural gas per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle which is at least 6% better than the predecessor Zafira CNG model. CO₂ emissions were reduced to 129 g/km (predecessor: 139 g/km).

the new natural gas ecoFLEX version of the Zafira Tourer. Click to enlarge.

The 1.6 liter engine can run on biogas or a mixture of natural gas and biogas. In the case of 100% biogas propulsion, the carbon foot print is almost zero.

The extended CNG range of the seven-seat vehicle represents an improvement of around 25% on its predecessor. These enhancements have been mainly achieved with a new light weight gas tank system providing an increased CNG capacity of now 25 kg (predecessor: 21 kg) and an optimization of the drivetrain.

Read on at: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011/12/zafira-20111209.html