Just as Fiat Powertrain Technologies' innovative new dual fuel petrol/LPG turbo engine makes its public debut in the Lancia Delta this weekend at an event in Milan, Alfa Romeo has announced the commercialisation of this option in the MiTo. With full load of petrol and LPG the range of the MiTo LPG Turbo is 1,200 km (480 km on LPG) with a cost saving of 50 percent compared to the petrol engined equivalent. The LPG tank can hold 39 litres (the same as the Delta) and has been fitted to optimise the weight distribution.

Just as Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ innovative new dual fuel petrol/LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) turbo engine makes its public debut in the Lancia Delta this weekend on the occasion of a high-profile cinematic event in Milan, Alfa Romeo has announced the commercialisation in Italy of this environmentally-conscious option, this time in the B-segment MiTo hatchback.

FPT has recorded another first in the technological arena with the launch of the first factory-developed turbocharged dual-fuel petrol/LPG engine on the market, coming in the form of the highly-regarded 120 bhp, 1.4-litre "Turbobenzina" T-Jet turbocharged engine. The engine in petrol mode is now tuned to give a reduced 131 g/km of CO2 emissions. Released onto the Italian market this week the MiTo fitted with the LPG option is initially priced at 13,900 euros thanks to a generous 4,500 euro discount made up of an Italian government incentive of 3,000 euro for buying an LPG vehicle and a further 1,500 "eco-incentive" from Alfa Romeo.

Performance figures for the MiTo LPG Turbo remain impressive thanks to the 120 bhp (88 kw) at 5,000 rpm that comes from the turbocharged engine which remains unchanged. Peak torque comes in at 206 Nm (21 kgm) at 1750 rpm while top speed is a useful 198 km/h and the dash from 0 to 100 km/h is covered in 8.8 seconds.

With full load of petrol and LPG the range of the MiTo LPG Turbo is 1,200 km (480 km on LPG) with a cost saving of 50 percent compared to the petrol engined equivalent. The LPG tank can hold 39 litres (the same as the Delta) and has been fitted to optimise the weight distribution. Petrol is the automatic choice for the starting cycle of the car and it then switches to LPG by default, returning to petrol if the LPG tank is in danger of becoming exhausted. However via a push button located on the dashboard the driver can easily override the automatic settings, choosing to use either petrol or LPG.

The MiTo LPG Turbo benefits from a nationwide distribution network of 2,400 outlets and the success of this type of car has been astounding, sales of LPG vehicles in Italy climbed by 140 percent in 2008 compared to 2007 and so far this year one in five cars sold in Italy have been powered by LPG or methane. However while the majority of LPG cars on the Italian roads are aftermarket conversions, Fiat Group Automobiles' ambitious LPG roll-out programme means that buyers get the benefit of OEM development, crash testing and the usual manufacturer-backed warrantees. The MiTo conversion, as with the Delta LPG, is carried out in conjunction with Landi Renzo.

Fiat already offers an extensive range of LPG options on a variety of its cars, with the technology currently available on three FIRE engines: the 1.2 8V (Panda and Punto Classic), 1.4 8V (Grande Punto, Punto Evo and Idea), and 1.4 16V (Bravo). As well as its latest application in the Delta and MiTo, the new engine will make its way under the bonnets of the Bravo and Punto Evo next year. Work has also commenced regarding the application of MultiAir across the GPL range. In addition to LPG, Fiat also offers a range of ‘biopower’ engines under the ‘Natural Power’ banner. These engines can run on both petrol and methane. The technology is available on the 1.2 8V FIRE (Panda and Punto Classic), 1.4 8V FIRE (Grande Punto, Punto Evo and Qubo), and the long-serving 1.6 16V ‘Torque’ (Multipla and Doblò).