Vauxhall has started delivering its first dual-fuel petrol/liquefied petroleum gas engines that meet Euro IV emissions standards.

The reduced emissions Dualfuel engines are available in 1.8-litre 16v and 1.6-litre 16v and 8v guise. The larger unit is available in the Vectra range, with the smaller version offered in Astra and Astravans.

The engines use a recent innovation, the gas sequential injection system (GSI), which mirrors the work of a petrol multi point injection system.

The 1.8-litre engine produces 161g/km of CO2, compared with the full petrol model, which is around the 183g/km mark.

The 1.6 16v and 1.6 8v emit both have emissions levels of 151g/km. This is significantly lower than the present range of 1.6 petrol engines in the Astra, which start at around 170g/km.

Vauxhall is also on the verge finishing development work on a Dualfuel Zafira, which it intends to have ready in the first part of next year.

LPG sales for the firm tripled last year to 2,400 units, with cars accounting for 1,524 sales and vans 871. Vauxhall claims that a Dualfuel Vectra covering 24,000 miles a year using gas could produce a fuel saving of £450 based on LPG at 39p per litre. (October 11, 2001)