Lancia Ypsilon Metano
86g/km CO2 emissions and consumption of 3.1kg/100km in the combined cycle
Lancia opened its order books for the Ypsilon Ecochic Methane in Italy mid-December. Equipped with the 80HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo bi-fuel engine, the new Ypsilon delivers reduced CO2 emission levels (86 g/km) and low fuel consumption (3.1 kg/100 km in the combined type-approval cycle) when running on compressed natural gas (CNG). Lancia plans an ‘open door’ event for 19 and 20 January at Lancia dealerships in Italy to début the new model.
The bi-fuel (methane and petrol) range exceeds 1,300 km over the extra-urban cycle. The two fuel systems are reciprocally independent: in normal conditions, the engine runs on methane and is always only started on petrol, switching automatically and immediately to the other system. The engine only switches to petrol if the gas is about to run out. It is nevertheless always possible to switch from methane to petrol and back again as desired, by pressing a button on the dashboard. Furthermore, two methane tanks – containing about 12 kg, which corresponds to 72 litres at a pressure of 200 bar – are arranged under the floor to keep the luggage volume virtually unchanged (202 litres).
The new model is available with the Silver and Gold trim levels – list prices are EUR 16,500 (USD 21,700) and EUR 17,500 (USD 23,000) respectively.
The Lancia’s bi-fuel system is factory fitted, qualifying it for Lancia contractual warranty and, in some regions of Italy, exemption from road tax throughout the car’s lifetime.
Methane-fuelled vehicles are given free access to town centres with traffic limitation restrictions in force for environmental reasons. Natural gas fuel does not emit particulates, and its nitrogen oxide emissions are around 90 per cent lower than diesel, while compared to petrol, unburnt hydrocarbon levels are 75 per cent lower, nitrogen oxide emissions are around 50 per cent lower and CO2 emissions are reduced by 23 per cent.
Lancia sums up: with less expense, less pollution and greater mobility, methane is becoming an ever cleaner and more economical fuel. Across Italy, natural gas vehicle registrations increased 43% compared to the previous year in a market that saw a 20% decline for the same period. Italy has more than 900 natural gas refueling points in Italy.
(This article compiled using information from a Fiat-Lancia press release)
