Holden Dual Fuel now in VE range LPG

By Alborz Fallah | October 19th, 2006

Even though fuel prices are coming back down, (in Brisbane they are well below $1) no one really knows how long this will last. A few months ago when Fuel was reaching $1.50, LPG seemed like a good idea. I mean, really, there is nothing wrong with converting an older falcon or comomdore to dual fuel LPG, but to buy a new car and then convert it to LPG? Why not just buy a diesel?

Anyway, since Ford & Holden still live in the dark ages, Diesel (which I have to admit is actually available in their european made astras) isn’t a choice when it comes to the Commodore or Falcons. However, LPG is starting to become popular with the new $2,000 goverment rebate. With that in mind, Holden has announcd that it’s dual-fuel Alloytec V6 engine is now available in VE Omega, Berlina and Commodore V-Series special edition models. The 3.6-litre engine, built at Holden’s Port Melbourne Global V6 plant, runs on both petrol and LPG and delivers easy transition from petrol to LPG while driving, with only a small power difference.

VE LPG powered sedans produce peak power of 175 kW @ 6000 rpm (petrol 180 kW @ 6000 rpm) and peak torque is 325 Nm @ 2600 rpm (petrol 330 Nm @ 2600 rpm). I guess losing 5kW and 5Nm isn’t too bad! I have to give credit where its due and these figures are not bad. Holden Executive Director, Engineering, Tony Hyde, said the dual-fuel engine option gave customers an economical choice to petrol, without large sacrifices in performance.

He said there was widespread interest in LPG options given the fluctuating price of petrol.

“Dual-fuel engines provide a tremendous range and can significantly reduce running costs, a dual-fuel VE sedan range can be more than 1100km and if customers travel around 30,000kms annually, running on LPG can save more than $1000 year depending on fuel prices and driving style.

“ The option of two tanks also offers the flexibility to run on LPG and fill up with petrol when the driver chooses – or to run on petrol should LPG be unavailable.” He said.

Mr Hyde said the Federal Government’s $2000 LPG rebate was also a strong incentive for private customers to explore the $3900 dual-fuel option. Private purchasers of Holden’s dual-fuel engine are eligible for the $2000 rebate because fitting is done post vehicle production at HSVi.

LPG fuel economy on dual-fuel Omega and Berlina models is 16.0 litres per 100km and petrol is 11.7 litres per 100km. The increased petrol outcome in dual-fuel engine models (VE petrol only Omega and Berlina models return 10.9 litres per 100km) is due to the weight of the gas cylinder (just under100kg).

Holden’s LPG unit is an advanced Sequential Vapour Gas Injection (SVGI) system, which injects gas directly into the engine, mimicking the petrol injection sequence. It has automatic changeover to LPG is via seamless cylinder-by-cylinder activation and provides an automatic change back to petrol at low LPG levels.

In VE sedans, a cylindrical gas tank is located in the boot and usable LPG tank volume is 73 litres. The 73 litre petrol tank remains unchanged. Dual-fuel models are c overed by Holden’s three-year/100,000km new vehicle warranty and are fully tested for safety and crash worthiness. A ll vehicle safety systems (inc Electronic Stability Program®) are retained.

There is no difference to service intervals and little difference to service costs, with an LPG vapour filter requiring replacement every 15,000 kms, and a liquid filter every 120,000 kms.

Holden’s dual-fuel Alloytec V6 engine is available on the following vehicles:

VE Commodore Omega
VE Commodore V-Series
VE Berlina
VZ Commodore Executive Wagon
VZ Commodore Acclaim Wagon
VZ Commodore Ute
VE dual-fuel models have begun production and can be ordered immediately.

Dual-fuel Alloytec V6 engine option price:
$3900

Federal Government rebate of $2000 applies.

texas ecological sodomite

Buying a small petrol car is still cheaper than an LPG large car.

Assume LPG costs $0.45 per litre and petrol $1.10 per liter.

Large car on LPG uses 16L/100km, so that’s $7.20/100km.

Small car on petrol uses 6L/100km, so that’s $6.60/100km.

When when you look at the price tag, small cars are half the cost of large cars, so not only are they cheaper to run but they are also cheaper to buy.

Furthermore, in 2011, the Gov will start taxing LPG, which will mean price rises. Driving a small car will then be even better value.
VT

Nuh not really because if u see petrol prices now der 1.49 cheapest 1.29 and gas .54 cheapest .48
lpg and petrol will rise but gas will always be cheaper to buy then petrol

Buying a small petrol car is still cheaper than an LPG large car.

Assume LPG costs $0.45 per litre and petrol $1.10 per liter.

Large car on LPG uses 16L/100km, so that’s $7.20/100km.

Small car on petrol uses 6L/100km, so that’s $6.60/100km.

When when you look at the price tag, small cars are half the cost of large cars, so not only are they cheaper to run but they are also cheaper to buy.

Furthermore, in 2011, the Gov will start taxing LPG, which will mean price rises. Driving a small car will then be even better value.
calais

Your figures are rubbish. I have a Calais, drive the doors off it and get 14 lts/100kms on LPG at 56c/lt costing 7.8c/km. My Lancer CE2 is 1.8 lts and gets 8.2 lts/100kms at $1.24c/lt giving 10.3 c/km. I have much more room,comfort,safety, performance and much lower ongoing costs in my Calais and they both are 2002 models and cost the same to buy secondhand. I can tow my boat with the Calais as well. My last Calais was a VR and did 500,000 on the same motor using LPG.
spyman

hey,

Holden are testing the 3.olt gas v6 for the calais and other models.

there is also a ss on gas being tested

spyman,

DAVE

THE SS BEING TESTED, IS THAT ON DEDICATED GAS OR DUAL FUEL AND DO YOU KNOW IF THEY WILL BE FITTING WAGONS WITH GAS???

Wazza

A small car may possibly return better fuel economy figures, but most couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding. A bigger car like the commodore can actually tow trailers, handy if you own horses or a caravan.

And take notice those who get excited at the economy of small cars with diesels, often their judgement gets blurred at the “fantastic” ecomony figures of 5 litre per 100kms average.

But these diesels often cost over $6000 more than their equivalent petrol variants to purchase. Most small petrol cars will get 8 litres / 100kms. To recoup the $6000 extra cost of a diesel, and assuming each owner travels 30,000kms / year and both petrol and diesel cost the same ie $1.40/litre, the diesel owner would pay $2100 / year and the petrol owner $3360, $1260 more. Now to just recoup the $6000 extra purchase price of the diesel, it would take nearly 5 years. Add to this the more expensive servicing costs for a diesel, the benefits are not so great for a diesel.

Sumpguard

………most diesels are around a $3000 option not $6000 as you claim and you like so many others completely ignore the fact that around 60-70% percent of it will be recouped at resale. Then there is the drivability of the diesel during ownership and when towing said trailer the petrol engine’s economy skyrockets which will quickly reduce the $3000 price gap.

Yep diesels cost more to service but are also inherently stronger than a petrol engine ,hence the price gap. On that basis alone they are better for towing. In smaller cars you can’t tow with either as the vehicle’s weight and weaker drive train (typically the transmission) becomes the prohibitor. Not the engine.

http://caradvice.com.au Diesels???????

Hi Sumpguard, I disagree on some levels about diesel engines. They are good for trucks with 18 gears because they have such a small power curve(heaps of torque, tow power). Not so dood for day-to-day driving around town. my turbo diesel that I had, (sr5) had a useful power range of 1700-3200rpm. Wheres my petrol(supercharged LPG) engine has a powerange of 1200-5500. Much easier to drive than a turbo diesel.
Diesel is much more expensive these days compared to LPG. Supercharged petrol engines with liquid or vapour LPG injection are easily the best for a tow car or even a large family car) when compared to turbo diesels. I understand that there are not many petrol S/C factory cars on the market, and that is a great shame.
I only compare to a 4×4,tow car or work car because a diesel in a small car is not that economical compared to todays petrol engines. (for small cars) then factor in the price difference in diesel and petrol, and small cars with rough scaled down truck engine dont quite make sence to me.
If you want to tow then a turbo diesel is great, if you want the best of both worlds get a petrol with a LPG conversion.
http://www.lpgconversion.net cheap lpg conversion

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