So what’s so special about Opel’s van? It’s been converted to run on natural gas, bio-methane or regular gasoline. Check out the press release below for more info.

Opel Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo – First Turbo-charged CNG Van Premiere at the Bologna Motorshow

Outstanding driving dynamics with 150 hp
Low CO2 emissions because of natural gas fuel
High flexibility thanks to Flex7 seat system

The most powerful natural gas-propelled vehicle premieres in December when Opel presents its first Compressed Natural Gas compact van with a turbo-charger at the Bologna motor show (December 5 to 14, 2008).

The new Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo has an output of 150 hp and a top speed of 200 km/h but consumes only 5.3 kg of natural gas per 100 km in the MVEG cycle, emitting just 144 g/km of CO2. That means 60 percent more horsepower for a difference of only 6 grams in emissions than the naturally aspirated model. The new Zafira 1.6 CNG Turbo will reach markets starting in January 2009.

With this latest model, Opel once again offers eco-friendly driving without compromising performance. Nor does driving a seven-seater have to be expensive. CNG is a clean fuel that is inexpensive to drive: Only 5.3 euros per 100 kilometers in Germany.

On average, the cost of driving 100 kilometers with a CNG vehicle is roughly 50 percent lower than a comparable car running on petrol. The cost of driving CNG will also remain inexpensive in the long-run, compared with other fuels because many European governments are committed to further promote CNG vehicles through tax support systems.

In 2001 Opel pioneered the CNG propulsion with the innovative monovalentplus technology, in which the motor is optimized to primarily operate on natural gas, but could also run on gasoline. The Zafira CNG Turbo 1.6-liter engine is designed to run on either natural gas, bio-methane or any mixture of the two. The unit is provided with special pistons, valves and valve seats, plus separate injection systems for natural gas and gasoline. In gas mode alone, the vehicle can drive up to 370 km, while the 14-liter reserve gasoline tank provides an additional range of 150 km for maximum flexibility. A maximum torque of 210 Nm at only 2.300 rpm will ensure plenty of power in all situations.

Thanks to the intelligently designed underfloor arrangement of the four gas tanks around the rear axle, the Zafira’s interior fully retains all its advantages in terms of variability and space. Like its sister models, the 1.6 CNG Turbo boasts the unique Flex7 seating system, enabling the interior to be quickly converted from a seven-seater to a two-seater without any complicated procedure of removing the seats. CNG is one of many alternative propulsion strategies being pursued by Opel and its parent company General Motors as part of a wider move to reduce CO2 emissions and diversify world fuel supplies.