Where there's Italy, there's a way

© KiaLPG cars are definitely more friendly to the noble relics of Rome's great past

A twisted logic
Logically, since converting Kias is forbidden in Poland, but allowed in Italy, cars sold in these two countries must be completely different. Obviously, they are not. Actually, they are perfectly the same and were it not for the Polish importer's will (or, more specifically, for the lack of it), autogas-powered Kias could be introduced in Poland. Well, let us focus on Italy instead.

The autogas systems
... used for converting Vengas and Cee'ds are BRC-sourced. The kits have been carefully composed, so that LPG systems interfere with the cars' electrical wiring as little as possible. The secondary ECU's software optimises engine performance (to keep parameters as close to those achieved on petrol as could be) and fuel consumption.

The Venga
The Venga GPL EcoDynamics is motivated by a 66 kW (90 PS), 1,4-litre engine. The motor generates peak power at 5900 RPM and emits 137 grams of CO₂ per kilometre. Autogas consumption is said to be 10,7 l/100 km in the city and 7,1 l/100 km on the highway (8,5 l/100 km on average). Having replaced the spare wheel in its well, the toroidal tank holds 40 l of LPG and ensures driving range of approximately 470 km. Considering the capacity of the petrol tank, total range is as high as 1200 km. But who would use petrol, when there is autogas at hand?

Until the end of October 2012, the LPG-powered Venga was available at a discount price of 12950 euros. Normally, the car's basic price (in Easy trim) is 16250 euros, which means a 1700 premium over the regular petrol version. When the discount was offered, it applied to the autogas version only, so it was by 1600 euros cheaper than its petrol counterpart. Still, the Venga remains an attractive offer for eco- and cost-conscious drivers.

© KiaThe new Cee'd has a lot more individual character than its predecessor

The new Cee'd
The Cee'd GPL EcoDynamics is also powered by a 1,4-litre engine, but a more powerful one, generating 72 kW (97 KM). The motor's CO₂ emission is 130 g/km and LPG consumption is 10,7 l/100 km in city driving and 6,5 l/100 km on the highway (8 l/100 km on average). The car is equipped with a toroidal tank bigger than that of the Venga – it holds 53 l of fuel, which is supposed to be good for some 660 km of driving. Using all the autogas and all the petrol it can take, the Cee'd can drive for 1300 km without stopping. The question is, again: why use petrol?

The LPG-powered Cee'd was also available at a discount until the end of October 2012, with a pricetag of 15300 euros (1100 cheaper than the petrol version). Now it costs 18300 euros, i. e. 1900 euros more than the petrol-sipping model.

The warranty
GPL EcoDynamics cars offered by Kia in Italy are subject to the same warranty conditions as conventionally powered variants. Any model with an autogas system has a 7-year warranty, just like diesels and petrol variants. Will we ever see that in Poland? That will be the day!