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Nissan Almera Tino LPG

Are mini-MPV buyers ready to be converted - to gas? Nissan thinks so, because it has jumped on Vauxhall's Zafira bandwagon by offering a factory LPG conversion on its Almera Tino in a bid to boost sales.

By Craig Cheetham

December 2003

Are mini-MPV buyers ready to be converted - to gas? Nissan thinks so, because it has jumped on Vauxhall's Zafira bandwagon by offering a factory LPG conversion on its Almera Tino in a bid to boost sales.

As well as lower running costs, the dual-fuel Tino is currently exempt from the congestion charging scheme in place in London, and set to be introduced to other UK cities in the coming years. It gives you the choice of running on LPG or petrol. The conversion is available only on the 1.8-litre SE, and adds ΂£2,226 to the ΂£14,000 list price.

This is expensive considering Vauxhall charges only ΂£995 extra for an LPG Zafira. But the Nissan doesn't throw out its spare wheel to fit in the LPG tank!

The conversion is fairly professional, concealed in the boot with only a tiny light in the cabin illuminating to reveal the car is running on gas. If anything, the LED is too small, and it's hidden behind the gearlever - you have to make a point of checking which fuel you're using before setting off.

The gauge is confusing, too. Switch from petrol to gas and vice versa and it takes ages to register the level - annoying if you want to top up both tanks.

Otherwise, the LPG Tino is perfectly adequate. Performance feels little different from the standard 1.8, and it comes with a full manufacturer's warranty.

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FIRST OPINION

    It may be a good idea, but the LPG Tino is too expensive to be viable unless you commute into a congestion charging zone on a daily basis or cover a mammoth mileage. To all other drivers, the diesel, or even the standard 1.8 petrol, are more sensible choices.
 
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