11:37 am, September 1, 2008
WE’VE predicted it here at Car Dealer – and now Proton is the first maker to start the trend.
The re-emergence of the LPG car, that is.
The maker has just launched its range of ecoLogic Gen-2s. Two factory-fit dual-fuel cars that can run on either petrol or LPG. Which cost no more than the standard models they’re based upon.
This is, in every sense of the word, a no-brainer. LPG is currently retailing at 58p a litre, rather than 110p for unleaded. For the 10,000-mile annual driver, this is a saving of £500 per year.
ecoLogic Gen-2s start on petrol and switch to LPG when the engine’s warm enough. Usually after 20 seconds. Customers need learn no special new tricks, other than refuelling at an LPG pump (and there are nearly 1500 of these in the UK).
A high-mounted LPG fuel point makes this easier – and the cap is also painted body-colour, so it doesn’t jar. The LPG tank sits in the rear spare wheel well; Proton UK handles the conversion, delivering LPG-ready cars to dealers.
Prices start at £10,795 for the 1.6-litre saloon, or £10,995 for the hatch. Even better, Proton is throwing in free leather on the hatch, too, for a limited period. The model is launched this month; we’ll be following its progress with interest – and watching whether other manufacturers follow Proton’s lead…
Read our prediciton here…
