Three diesel engine types with cylinder capacities of 5.86; 9.57 and 17.7 liters have been converted to spark ignition engines for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel. These four-stroke, water-cooled engines cover a power range from 96 kW to 230 kW and are suitable for use in heavy-duty trucks, buses and stationary applications. The first two engines - the 8060 and 8220 - are six in-line engines, the 8280 is a V8 engine. Todate only naturally aspirated LPG engines have been completely developed.
In view of the availability of the fuel, attractive costs in some areas and in order to offer an alternative to diesel engines if the proposed emission legislation in the nineties with regard to particulates and nitric oxide emissions cannot be fulfilled economically, LPG powered vehicles may be an attractive option for urban applications.
This paper describes the IVECO 8060, 8220 and 8280 LPG engines and their operating characteristics. The performance characteristics of these engines are attractive for road vehicle applications because they provide maximum torque at low engine speeds and an extended full load speed range. The overall engine durability is superior to that of gasoline-based LPG engines and may even be superior to diesel engines.