Opel Corsa LPG - finally here

© OpelAs usual with Opel's factory conversions, the Corsa has its LPG refueling valve under the petrol filler flap. You'll need a screwed-in adapter, though

The LPG-powered version of Opel's supermini features an 1,4-litre four-cylinder engine good for 90 PS, connected to a manual 5-speed gearbox. Opel is proud to announce that thus configured Corsa requires as little as 6,9 l of LPG per 100 km and emits 113 g of CO₂ per kilometre in the process. Sounds promising, but given official fuel economy figures usually have little in common with reality, be prepared for something around 8 l/100 km. Anyway, with autogas usually priced around half the price of petrol, you're in for substantial savings if you choose the LPG option.

Typically for factory-converted Opels, the LPG system switch has been neatly integrated into the dashboard – it's just a button with an LED in it to signal when the engine is running on the cheaper fuel. Although we don't know, we also expect the Corsa to have one fuel level gauge for both fuels, displaying the remaining amount for that which is currently in use. Hopefully there's also a modified trip computer, displaying average fuel economy and range in LPG mode, although the Astra doesn't have one (the Insignia does, though). And while we're speaking of range, the combined figure for LPG and petrol is said to be 1200 km. As for other models of autogas-powered Opels, the Corsa features a tank by Stako.

Unfortunately, Opel hasn't published the price sheet for its latest frugal supermini. Factory LPG systems tend to be quite pricy compared to aftermarket conversions, but in return you get a solution that's tailored precisely to the requirements of a given model. We hope Opel releases more information soon and we can't wait to give you some first-hand experience when we conduct a road test of the newcomer. Stand by!