Dacia Restores Faith in LPG

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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16th June 2020

Budget car brand Dacia is turning back the clock to become the only European automaker to offer LPG fueled across its range.

The fuel, still popular in some markets on the continent, traditionally offers cheaper mileage and boasts better environmental credentials than gasoline. However, the automaker, a sub-brand of the French marque Renault, has chosen a difficult time to revisit the alternative fuel not least because of the crash in global oil prices thanks firstly to production conflicts earlier this year between Russia and Saudi Arabia followed up by the pandemic’s world-wide reduction in economic activity. On the up side, more consumers becoming used to LPG high pressure fuel dispensers could pave the way to acceptance of hydrogen fuel pumps, as and when they arrive, as it has done in countries like South Korea that has been predominately LPG fueled for many years.

Naturally, Dacia has opted for the conservative path of making its range of models, including the Duster, Sandero and Logan, able to be dual-fueled and are now available under the badging TCe 100 Bi-Fuel. All use new 1.0-liter turbocharged dual-fuel powertrain which also benefits from superior torque in LPG mode.

The automaker claims the powertrain offers a maximum combined range of more than 620 miles, as well as CO2 reductions in LPG mode. Emissions savings are also claimed of up to 11% for the Duster and 9% for the Sandero, with up to 2.4 metric tons of CO2 saving over a four-year period.

Dacia also says the design of its cars allows the use of the additional LPG fuel tank with no impact on interior luggage space. Servicing and maintenance intervals are also identical to standard gasoline models with the same three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_