The Swiss gas industry in cooperation with the German Erdgas Mobil proudly stand for NGVs at the 80. Geneva motor show

Newly developed turbo engines are making natural gas/biogas an even more efficient and greener fuel. At the Geneva Motor Show (4 to 14 March 2010), the Swiss Natural Gas Association will be at its usual location on the GASMOBIL stand in hall 5 demonstrating a cross-section of the latest range of models available. The Fiat Doblò Natural Power Turbo (1.4 l/115 h.p.) will be celebrating its world premiere. Four of the five models on show boast turbo engines. A smart little runaround for the city will attract particular attention: the Fiat 500 is a concept car with a 1.4 litre turbo engine (115 h.p.) and exemplary CO2 values. At present, there are around 8,700 gas-powered vehicles on the roads in Switzerland, and the number of filling stations offering natural gas/biogas has grown to around 120.

Natural gas/biogas allows clean, fuel-efficient driving, without compromising on the comforts motorists have grown accustomed to. gasmobil ag, the centre of competence operated by the Swiss Natural Gas Association to promote mobility, will be exhibiting at stand 5 at the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva, once again in association with car importers. Experts will be on hand to answer all your questions on natural gas/biogas as fuel, as well as on current vehicle models. The Motor Show will include a cross-section of the latest range of environmentally friendly natural gas cars. All natural gas cars are also designed with a petrol tank. If the natural gas tank is empty, the vehicle automatically switches to petrol mode. Therefore, the overall range is as good as that of petrol or diesel models, if not better. Based on the nationwide average, natural gas/biogas is about 30% cheaper on the forecourts than petrol.

World premiere of the turbo-engine Fiat
The range of models on show at the GASMOBIL stand is a representative cross-section of what's on the market. Central to the selection is a concept car: the Fiat 500 1.4 Natural Power Turbo blends freshness, style and tradition with efficient engine technology and modern natural gas/biogas fuel. It delivers higher performance (115 h.p.) coupled with extremely low CO2 emissions and optimum efficiency. The car was developed by the Swiss Natural Gas Association with assistance from Fiat Switzerland and BRA GmbH in Schweinfurt (Germany). This lifestyle model will appeal to all age groups who have a "youthful spirit" and a sense of environmental awareness.

Among the mass-produced vehicles, Fiat will be giving a world premiere to the new Doblò Natural Power Turbo with its 1.4 litre natural gas turbo engine, as well as to the successor to the Grande Punto, the Punto Evo Natural Power (press days only). The Punto Evo boasts a fully restyled interior and, after the Fiat Panda Natural Power, is the most efficient natural gas car on the market.

VW and Opel will each have a model on show as well, demonstrating the top performance of their turbo engines. The VW Passat 1.4 TSI EcoFuel has a twin charged 1.4 litre engine, a combination of compressor and turbo, boasting 150 h.p. despite its low fuel consumption. This has put it at the top of the ADAC and VCS rankings for environmentally friendly cars. The Opel Zafira ecoFLEX Turbo CNG, a family van with a 1.6 litre engine, also packs 150 h.p. thanks to its charger. The Mercedes B180 NGT Sports Tourer, which will be on display on the days when the show is open to the public, combines the dynamic design of a sports limousine with the variability of a prestige minivan.

In addition, there will be several manufacturers exhibiting natural gas-powered cars and new environmentally friendly innovations on their own stands. The Swiss market now boasts 29 different models of cars and 10 models of vans and minibuses that run on natural gas/biogas.

Even better CO2 balance thanks to biogas
Gas-powered vehicles can run on either natural gas or biogas and also feature a petrol tank. Around 20% biogas, which is harmless to the climate, is added to natural gas in Switzerland. This helps to improve the CO2 balance of gas-powered vehicles, which is already very good, yet further. Natural gas/biogas offers what is currently the most environmentally friendly technology in series-produced vehicles with combustion engines.

Natural gas is an environmentally friendly fuel which produces lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than petrol and diesel, discharges no soot or particulates and has no impact on the climate. CNG (compressed natural gas; methane) should not be confused with liquid petroleum gas / liquefied gas / LPG (propane/butane). These two fuels and vehicle technologies are not mutually compatible.

Gas-powered vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show:
GASMOBIL            Stand 5240 / Hall 5

Press photos and information on gas-powered vehicles:
www.erdgasfahren.ch > News > Presseberichte > Presse Download

Contacts for further information:
Serge Savary, Project Manager
Ralph Tschopp, Technical Project Manager

gasmobil ag, Untertalweg 32, CH-4144 Arlesheim
Tel. +41 61 706 33 00, Fax +41 61 706 33 99, E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Arlesheim, 9 February 2010