The really weird thing about compressed natural gas is that the latest generation of turbocharged engines make it more than just a taxi fuel. Just take the VW group, for example, as it offers four different models powered by the same 1.4-liter mill. Today, we're going to focus on the SEAT Leon ST TGI because it has undergone an amazingly long trip on the money you'd spend for your average lunch.
From Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain and the home of Lionel Messi, to the capital of Madrid, the national highway network spans no less than 615 kilometers. That's a huge journey, which some cars might not even be able to make on a single tank of fuel.
But the Leon manages it with only 20 euros worth of fuel.
Of course, this trip is done by a CNG specialist who knows exactly when to shift gears and get the most out of the engine's economy cycle. But it still proves that CNG is more eco-friendly, costing up to 50% less to run than a petrol car and 30% less than a diesel on the same trip.
The Leon CNG uses a 1.4 turbo bi-fuel engine which only makes 110 PS, compared to the 125 or 150 hp that petrol models offer. The fuel is stored in a tank located in place of the spare wheel and capable of holding 50 liters. Fuel consumption is 3.5 kilograms of CNG per 100 kilometers. But before yo go off to your local SEAT dealership, dreaming of how much money you're going to save, know that prices start at €21,310 for a 5-door model, which is over a thousand more than the petrol model.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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