An affordable drive option: Toyota's unadvertised LPG cars

While Toyota frequently advertises their hybrid choices, one might infer that hybrids are the sole options available. However, beyond regular gasoline models, LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) models are also available. The introduction of LPG installations for the Aygo X model is a new development in Toyota's lineup.

An equipped Toyota Aygo X with an LPG installation from Landi Renzo, found at their service centers, is an economical drive option. This is a zero-kilometer installation; that is, the vehicle is assembled post-production with full warranty coverage.

With a modest three-cylinder gasoline engine of 72 horsepower, this car attains impressive fuel efficiency, averaging around 47 mpg (miles per gallon). However, utilizing LPG would drive fuel costs down even further.

The Omegas 3.0 controller, suitable for multi-cylinder engines (up to eight cylinders), forms the backbone of the LPG installation. This controller guarantees meticulous control of the fuel system and valve socket safeguarding techniques. Given the design of the engine unit with two injectors per cylinder, accounting to six in total, the necessity for this controller becomes apparent. While the injector isn't direct, the fuel system management remains intricate.

The placement of the fuel selection switch is on the dashboard's left, next to the steering wheel, while the filling valve is beneath the fuel flap, necessitating an adapter. The installation includes a 9-gallon tank under the trunk flooring, in place of the spare wheel, providing space for approximately seven gallons of gas. In theory, this should allow for a range of 248–280 miles on LPG alone.

The starting price of a Toyota Aygo X is 18,200 USD. A Toyota ASO installation entails an additional cost of 1,650 USD, leading to a total of 19,850 USD. By comparison, the cheapest Dacia Sandero LPG model costs 19,350 USD. Although it has a stronger 100-horsepower engine, it tends to consume more fuel. Hence, the comparison isn't definitive in terms of better or worse offers.

The Toyota Aygo stands out in its flexibility, where LPG installation is possible for any version— even automatic gearboxes— and for cars purchased earlier. In contrast, Dacia only offers the Sandero with LPG in manual versions.

Obviously, a car equipped with an LPG installation will incur lower running costs. However, one might wonder if it's worth it to spend an additional 1,650 USD and when one might start to save. Using the LPG calculator, I've concluded that an Aygo X will require about 1.6 gallons of LPG per 62 miles, given a base fuel efficiency of 47 MPG on gasoline only.

For private and minimal use, the merits of purchase wane. For instance, its cost-effectiveness becomes marginal only after three years of driving 9,320 miles annually. Assuming four years of ownership, no savings are generated. Even after five years, savings would only be around 433 USD.

As it seems, this option caters mainly to fleet clients, where vehicles are driven often. For example, with an annual mileage of 18,640, recovery of the installation cost will take approximately 1.5 years, and the fuel savings for the company would amount to about 1,350 USD over three years.