IKCO Logan bi-fuel in production
Iranian automotive manufacturer IKCO intends to produce 40,000 Renault-based Logan cars this year, of which 15% will be fitted with bi-fuel (compressed natural gas / gasoline) engines. This news is just one of several press statements by IKCO over recent months, as the company drops old models and repositions itself for increased domestic and export growth.
A new version Samand, code-named NX7, is expected to hit the market in 2012. Samand NX7 is outfitted with an EF7 gasoline engine, a turbo-charged EF7 engine and a natural-gas-based engine. The 6 valve 1700 cc base engine is Euro 5 compliant.
The recently launched Dena will come in two models – LX and ELX. The LX model will be outfitted with EF7 gas engine and a CNG-based engine and the ELX model will enjoy a turbo-charged EF7 engine. It meets Euro 4 emission and Iran’s 55 standards, and can be upgraded to Euro 5. Based on the Samand platform and employing the slightly smaller 1648 cm³ petrol–CNG (4 cyl. DOHC) engine developed by IKCO and FEV of Germany, the Dena will hit domestic and international markets next year. IKCO plans to manufacture 35,000 units in 2012, 80,000 units in 2013 and 100,000 units each year from 2015 to 2017.
In April, IKCO CEO Javad Najmeddin declared the IKCO roadmap for the current year and said that the company will start mass production of the Runna, IKCO’s second national car in September, although it is not known if the dual-fuel engine option is included in the initial run. Meeting Euro 4 and 5 emission standards the Runna will be offered with 1.6 liter gas and 1.7 liter CNG-base engines and accessories. The engine maximum power reaches 71 kilowatts per hour (kWh) in 6000 rpm (revolutions per minute) and the maximum torque gets to 127 Nm in 3500 to 4500 rpm. This 16-valve engine also uses 6.5 liters of gas per 100 km.
This article primarily compiled using information from IKCO press releases.
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