NEW ASTRA 1.8 DUALFUEL MODELS KEEP
VAUXHALL AHEAD IN LPG FIELD

Vauxhall has widened customer choice in its Astra Dualfuel range with the addition of a powerful 1.8 16v engine to run alongside two 1.6 litre-engined versions.

The increased Astra choice, coupled with several more Dualfuel options scheduled for introduction in the next few months, maintains Vauxhall's lead in the alternative fuels market place.

The introduction of the new model coincides with the release of figures which show that registrations of Vauxhall Dualfuel vehicles in the first half of the year rose by 16 per cent against the same period last year. Registrations totalled 1105 against 955 in Jan-June last year.

The sales rise is set to continue with the growth in the number of local authorities and fleet users now making firm decisions to add environmentally-friendly - and cheaper-to-operate vehicles (see note to editors below).

The use of liquefied petroleum gas which costs half -- or less -- of the price of petrol, helps to dramatically reduce operating costs as well as contributing to improved city air quality.

The new model utilises the exceptionally refined 1.8i l6v ECOTEC-4 petrol engine and is available to order in SXi and Elegance trims on hatchback,

saloon and estate models. The additional power pack choice is certain to enhance Astra's already high reputation among the growing number of companies moving towards "greener" fleets.

For the first time petrol/gas power can be specified on the sporty Astra SRi.

Cost of the fully Vauxhall-warranted Dualfuel Astra options comprises an additional £1950 (£1660 ex VAT) added to the trim level specified. That means a 1.8 litre Dualfuel SXi can be had for as little as £14,545. However a TransportAction Powershift grant equal to 60 per cent of the pre-VAT additional Dualfuel cost reduces the price by £995.

Sparkling performance combines with vastly reduced fuel costs to make the new model extremely attractive.

Combined mode fuel consumption figure for the 1.8 litre engine running on LPG is 26.9mpg. The urban driving mode figure is 19.1mpg and the extra-urban mode is 33.2mpg.

With more than 1200 LPG stations now open in the UK there are few areas without a convenient filling-up point. This means there is less need to run on more expensive petrol, although, as its name implies, Dualfuel Astra can be driven on either fuel, selected at the press of a switch.

· Vauxhall's Dualfuel range encompasses 1.6, 1.6 16v and new 1.8 litre engine variants for Astra. New on the block is a 1.8 litre Zafira. In the van range, there are Dualfuel 1.6 8v Astravan and Combo vans.
· A 1.6 16v version of Zafira and the all-new Vectra in 1.8 litre form are available to order now for delivery later in the year.
· Later this year the smart Astra Coupe will be available in 1.8 litre form.
· Early next year a Dualfuel 1.2 litre Corsa and a Corsavan with the same engine will be unveiled.
· Fuel costs are half those of petrol (and in the case of fleets with bunkered supplies, are reduced still further). While gas is around 20 per cent less efficient than petrol, an LPG vehicle can travel up to 50 per cent further than its petrol equivalent for the same cost.
· A 25-strong fleet of vehicles travelling about 25,000 miles a year and using LPG for 90 per cent of the time would save an operator more than £30,000 over three years - in addition to the substantial reduction in harmful exhaust emissions.
· Vauxhall Dualfuel vehicles carry the company's comprehensive three-year warranty and service intervals are the same 20,000 miles/annually. Insurance rates are normally unchanged.
· Company car driver's tax is reduced since BIK is calculated on the lower CO2 emission levels of LPG.
· Regular central London users will be exempt from the £5 a day congestion charge to be imposed from next spring. For a daily user that will add up to well over £1000 annually.
· Vauxhall's full Dualfuel range is safety tested to rigorous standards.
· Fleet operators can get more information from Vauxhall's dedicated dualfuel team on 01582 874338.