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© 1999-2002 Copyright
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Opel AG: Opel CNG Zafira 2002
Opel Zafira CNG in the "City of Tomorrow": Low-emission, natural gas van in action in European environment project
Ten of Opel's gas-powered, seven-seater compact vans are part of a car-sharing pool in this model city in Malmö. Running on a mixture of natural gas and biogas produced from waste from the city project, the Zafira CNG features the same highly variable interior as the standard diesel or gasoline Zafira.
The "City of Tomorrow" is a former industrial area in the western harbor of Malmö and consists essentially of a newly built residential area with 600 apartments. The building project for around 1000 inhabitants aims at combining a high level of aesthetics, ecology and high-tech solutions with the individual needs of the people. An exhibition focusing on environmental developments is accompanying the project and will be open until September 16, 2001. Thanks to its environmentally friendly propulsion system, the compact van fits harmoniously into this future-oriented urban concept, which is geared to a high quality of life.
The main advantage of the natural gas fuel system on board the Zafira is its excellent economy, achieved by low consumption and low fuel costs. Another advantage is that natural gas, with a higher hydrogen content and lower carbon content than gasoline or diesel, has a far lower impact on the environment. Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxides (CO) are reduced by up to 90 percent, those of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 30 percent and those of hydrocarbons (HC) by 45 percent.
The Zafira CNG has a power output of 74 kW/100 hp and a maximum torque of 150 Newton meters (exactly the same as the Zafira 1.6 16 V with a gasoline engine, on which it is based). Its top speed is 172 km/h. The four gas tanks hold a total of 120 liters of fuel. In addition to the gas tanks, the Zafira CNG has a 14-liter reserve gasoline tank. If the gas tanks are running close to empty, the system automatically switches to gasoline operation. Unlike liquefied gas vehicles, CNG automobiles such as the Zafira CNG can be parked in multi-storey car parks or garages. (August 2001)
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