LPG BOOSTS HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES

There is a commonly held view that running a car on LPG can reduce acceleration and power. But try telling that to one of the UK’s quickest drivers, British Touring Car Championship star Tom Onslow-Cole, who, with the help of Calor has set the record straight once and for all.

Leading LPG supplier Calor has always acknowledged the benefits of Autogas LPG for high performance cars, but now the theory has really been put to the test. Working together with Approved Installers Prins, Calor has converted a 2 litre Honda Civic Type R to run on Autogas with fantastic results.

Tom Onslow-Cole, who is often seen on the BTCC podium, took the Type R for a spin on the race track, with amazing results.

Tom said: “I was taken aback by the performance of the converted Type R. It handled superbly as you’d expect, but the response of the engine increased.

“The overall performance of the car was better and more powerful, making it a far better track car than I could have imagined. I was really impressed with the car, which was extremely quick around the track. ”

Not only has the performance of the Honda improved, it has been consistently delivering combined consumption figures of 28 mpg when running on LPG. Compared to the manufacturer’s quoted combined figure of 31mpg for its unmodified version, and given that LPG is currently retailing at under half the price of petrol1, the converted Honda has delivered a saving of over 42 per cent, without any noticeable changes to its performance.

Click here to see a video of Calor's LPG Honda in action trackside.

* Petrol prices quoted on www.petrolprices.com 22 October 2009

POWER & PERFORMANCE

Whilst there is still a commonly held view that running a vehicle on LPG reduces acceleration and power, the truth is in fact quite the opposite. Converting to LPG can increase the performance of your car, especially if it is a turbo model or high performance vehicle.

LPG’s high octane rating of 108 compared to 95 for petrol means that converted vehicles can run more boost before the engine’s knock sensor kicks in. Essentially today’s modern high performance cars feature an electronic control unit (ECU) that keeps running the turbo boost until it senses a knock and reduces power. With a higher octane fuel such as LPG, it takes longer for the knock to kick in so the boost continues for longer giving more power.

A lower calorific value for LPG also means a slight improvement in torque at mid-range for improved all round performance.

Honda’s iconic Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control – otherwise known as i–VTEC – still features strongly in Calor’s LPG Type R. Kicking in after 5,000 revs, the technology allows the lightweight intake valves to open wider, for longer, sucking in more of the fuel and air mixture to give an instant power surge when the driver hits the accelerator.

Calor’s Autogas development manager Chris Taylor is pleased with the results of the LPG installation carried out by Approved Installers, Prins: “We’ve put our Honda Type R through some pretty rigorous testing and have invited a selection of car enthusiasts to get behind the wheel and offer their feedback. Many can’t believe there has been any change at all to the car as it still feels like a high performance sports car.”

Chris adds “Going to an Approved Installer such as Prins, will ensure your engine is appropriately converted to run efficiently and effectively on LPG. Performance will be maintained, yet cost savings can be dramatic.”

ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY IN ABUNDANCE

Whilst drivers of high performance and sports cars are criticised for their lack of consideration for the environment, Calor and Prins' LPG Honda Type R example has put pay to the backlash. Sports car enthusiasts can now have both performance with a cleaner, greener fuel thanks to LPG.

Chris explains: “Vehicles running on LPG produce far fewer harmful emissions that contribute to environmental and health problems than traditional road fuels. LPG vehicles produce 20% less carbon dioxide than petrol and 2% less than diesel; 120 per cent less NOx than petrol and staggering 2,000 per cent less than diesel; and in terms of small particle emissions (PM10) one LPG vehicle will emit up to 120 times less than a diesel vehicle*.

In addition to the performance and economical benefits, LPG motoring offers further advantages as motorists in and around London can also benefit from up to 100 per cent exemption from the London Congestion Charge.

There are now more than 1,400 public access LPG refuelling sites with the majority of these on petrol forecourts. Autogas Limited, a joint venture between Calor and Shell, currently supplies around 220 outlets in the UK. A full list can be found at www.autogas.ltd.uk. In addition, Calor supplies autogas from over 150 outlets through its Calor Centres, Morrisons supermarkets and other independent sites.

* Small particle emissions are related to health effects including increased risk of heart and lung disease and problems such as asthma. All figures taken form the European Emissions Testing Programme 2003