LPG-powered smart forfour

A new variant of the smart forfour in Europe promises to be kinder to the environment as well as the wallet. The smart forfour lpg - the latter moniker meaning liquefied petroleum gas - gives the forfour's gasoline-powered engines, with power ranging from 63 to 107 hp, the capability to run on either gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas. The choice is entirely up to the driver: A switch on the center console changes between the two fuel systems, even while driving. When running on lpg, the forfour's emissions are considerably lower than running on gasoline.

An added bonus is the increased driving range. With the 94 hp engine, lpg extends the range by 280 miles to nearly 800 miles. This translates into major savings for drivers. Filling the smart forfour lpg's 8 gallon fuel tank currently costs about $24. To go an equivalent distance on gasoline fuel would cost about $37. With over 1,300 lpg filling stations in Germany, fuel availability shouldn't be a problem, but drivers can always switch over to gasoline if they run out. smart is expected to start taking orders for the forfour lpg by the end of this month at the same list price as the gasoline-powered model. A retrofit kit will be available as well.