LPG goes on direct...

VOLKSWAGEN Passat 1.8 TSI  with Lovato LPG kit

Thirty-eight years and hale and hearty! Launched in 1973, the Passat, with 15 million units delivered throughout the world, is the third best-selling Volkswagen after two glorious names: Golf and Beetle. And the seventh generation introduced to the market in 2010 promises to continue its success tanks to a successful blend of elegance, technology and not so expensive service costs. Especially if the model is equipped with an LPG equipment, like the one proposed by Lovato we tested on the streets of Berici and Vicenza.

Walter de 'Silva and Klaus Bischoff, Chief Designer of Volkswagen, have forged a front reminiscent of the luxury Phaeton and a smooth body line that balance the generous dimensions: 477 cm long, 182 wide and 147 tall. A stylistic approach similar to that of a big luxury car perceptible even within. The cabin is roomy for five adults and built with quality materials, such as the leather for covering the seat, steering wheel and gear lever knob, and brushed aluminium inserts for dashboard and console. That has an elegant design, highlighted by some fine details such as the elegant analogical clock with white background, which is not scratched by the presence of the switch / indicator of the level of gas on the left of the steering wheel. Appreciate the ergonomic layout of controls, with the major ones reaching without taking your eyes off the road, and minor crops around the gear lever. Instrumentation and multi-function display are easy to read in the centre of the dashboard that displays information of infotainment and the camera images back to the parking assist.

Adjusted  the power seat and the steering wheel height and depth, we have started using the electronic key and pressing two buttons, start and electric parking brake. This also has the advantage of more space between the two seats in the place where the lever is a convenient storage compartment. Accelerating you immediately perceive the quality of the 1.8 TSI engine, a 4-cylinder with direct injection and turbocharger that delivers 160 hp. More than just power and performance (220 km / h top speed, 8.5 " to go from 0 to 100 km / h), the availability of maximum torque (250 Nm) astonishes for an excursion worthy of the best diesel (from 1,500 and 4,200 rounds / minute) which allows a moderate use of a 6-speed gearbox and a high fluidity of running.

Also notable low consumption: the Passat needs on average only 6.9 l/100 km, a very good value for the category. But the rising price of gasoline forced to spend over 110 euro for the full 70 liter. Fortunately, this cost is reduced significantly thanks to the kit Lovato D.I. (Direct Injection) Easy Fast because of the lower cost of LPG and efficiency of the kit. Which limits the power loss at 2-3%, in fact, while leaving the performance, without sacrificing too much fuel (around 7.6 l/100 km for a cost per kilometre down from 11 to 6 cents or 7 cents a maximum, if consider the consumption of gasoline in LPG mode. The kit provides injections of petrol (on average 10%) even while using gas to facilitate the lubrication of certain components. A result, that of  7 cents / km that allows to recover the cost of the kit (about 2,000 euro) in just 50,000 km and is below to the cost per kilometre (about 7.8) of the more expensive (34,000 euro, instead of 29,000) 2.0 BlueMotion TDI diesel with 170 hp.

Benefits of conversion are also reducing emissions of CO2 (-10% approximately from 160 to 144 grams / km) and other pollutants, which are experiencing major decline due to better environmental quality of the LPG. Record the range to gas, the 64 liters fuel tank (51.2 effective) provides a theoretical distance of over 760 km without compromising the versatility of the boot. In fact, the toroidal cylinder tank is placed under the cargo floor and does not affect the 565 liters of capacity.

The dynamic behaviour of the Passat is also the same, which is excellent, thanks to the modern suspension layout (MacPherson with wishbones and wheel independent front suspension, four-arm multilink rear) and the noticeable presence of electronic devices. Such as the DCC (optional at 953 euro) that allows you to adjust the set-up in 3 programs: Normal, Sport for those who love a stiff setting that enhances road handling, and Comfort. Among the electronic devices we also include the recognition of driver fatigue, the automatic braking system that works in case of obstacle (Front Assist) and the Driver Assistance Package (2,500 euro) which includes bi-Xenon headlamps with xenon anti glare and systems that prevent changing lanes due to distraction.

Stefano Panzeri

Tech-photo: Lpg Kit D.I. Easy Fast by Lovato for direct-injection

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