Middle Eastern automaker Iran Khodro has just introduced the most powerful natural gas engine ever brought to market. It was unveiled as the engine of choice in the brand new Samand Soren ELX four-door. Both took a bow in Tehran over the weekend.
The automaker claims the turbo-charged engine generates 150 hp. If true, that's 37 more than the Honda Civic GX, which also runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). Unfortunately, the only engine spec released to the public is the horsepower rating. Displacement is unknown, and the company did not say how many cylinders the engine has. All Iran Khodro CEO Manouchehr Manteqi would say is that "its nominal power will not decline even at the height of 2,000 meters [6,561 feet] above sea level." This will be an important selling point, as Tehran is roughly a mile above sea level.
Founded in the early '60s, Iran Khodro is based in Tehran. It is only fitting that a version of "Iran's National Car" should get a CNG engine. Despite having large oil reserves, Iran is no stranger to alternative fuel. Heavily polluted Tehran has begun to use natural gas buses and fleet vehicles, while forcing taxis to use CNG. Old cars are being taken out of service there. Over 250,000 cars have been converted to run on CNG in that country.
The company has a technology sharing relationship with PSA Peugeot Citroën, which results in the Iran Khodro-produced Peugeot 206, 405, Pars, RD, and 407. Their Samand series of cars shares a platform with the Peugeot 405. At the introduction, the parent company, partially owned by the Iranian government, noted the car's production is "the intellectual property of the Islamic Republic of Iran." This point was hammered home by the giant poster of the Ayatollah overlooking the car.
New Most Powerful Natural Gas Engine and Car From Iran
Samand Soren ELX
Iran's Samand Soren ELX gets 150hp
By Zack Newmark
February 13, 2009 8:34 PM
Filed Under: Alternative Fuel, Asian
Comments
dmanero
February 13, 2009 8:57 PM
yawn, car news must be slow today
lucifa
February 15, 2009 4:51 AM
Given that perhaps he went a bit far, I think Motor_Yakuza might have something of a point; people make jokes about every religion and race -- I'm an Aussie and a Christian, so I cop plenty of jokes about being an uncultured, lazy slacker and about being uptight and boring, and, like all Aussies and, dare I say, most Christians, I sit back and laugh as well. But the moment someone raises a joking finger against Islam or most Middle Eastern countries, everybody jumps up and down calling them racist.
I'm not saying I necessarily agree with you Motor_Yakuza, but I'll give you that is an interesting point.
mhamini
February 15, 2009 6:25 AM
1-every Muslim aren’t Arab. 2- I don't know any Muslim that makes a joke about other religion but I know many people with other religion whom make jokes about Islam and Muslim. 3-Iranian (Persian) people are Aryan (not Arab) and Motor_Yakuza the Persia is what you dream about, like Persian Caviar, Persian carpet, Persian cat, Persian pistachio &.... 4-you don't know anything about Iran Motor_Yakuza 5-remember that Motor_Yakuza: respect get respect
dom6698
February 16, 2009 1:17 AM
lucifa I think its fine to joke about yourself, but about others I am not so sure. I think when there are a lot of very very very angry Middle Eastern Muslim/Isamic people (you must excuse me, I did not do religious education at all at school) who want war with the West, it is not good to make jokes about them and rock the boat. But having said that, if I were a particular race (I'm a white English atheist) or creed or minority or disabled sort I would not like to be joked about and discriminated against so it is better not to do it. The name of the game here is to talk about cars.
lambocop
February 14, 2009 12:41 AM
Grounds for immediate banishment: 2. racism 10.trolling Where are the moderators? are these rules only words in the air? Or is (Motor_Yakuza) a moderator? I demand action against these comments. and Motor_Yakuza do not excuse your self claming it was a joke..that was so offensive and so stupid and i demand an apology as well
Edited by user on February 14, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Bremen_Koenigsegg
February 14, 2009 4:58 AM
I'm with Lambocop on this one. Regardless the intention, your "joke" is incredibly offensive and only serves to act against your character, Motor_Yakuza. God, I sure hope you're not Canadian. (THAT is a joke. But seriously.)
lucifa
February 14, 2009 5:32 AM
Yeah Motor_Yakuza, not all cultures/countries see it as acceptable to joke, so just be a bit more cautious, aye? There are all sorts of viewers on this site.
(But Down Under it IS acceptable, so lol ;))
BabyMilo
February 14, 2009 3:08 PM
ok look, i think we should all forgive and forget. Ok Motor_Yakuza maybe it was abit far to make a racist joke like that and i can understand that people would get angry (i would if it was about my home country) but forgive him WCF community and move on. Motor_Yakuza maybe it would help if you just said sorry ;p
BabyMilo
February 14, 2009 11:25 PM
Given Motor_Yakuza it hasnt offended me, but it has offended some other people in the WCF community so maybe you could just say sorry to them.
Porsche986S
February 13, 2009 9:46 PM
Iran is developing each day. They already launched a satelite, have their own cars,and now trying to lead the way in CNG. you have to give them credit. No other country in the middle east is developing with no assistance. the arabs get money from everywhere and Israel from the US.
dbehmoaras
February 13, 2009 10:00 PM
If they are getting money from everywhere, how the **** can you give them credit? If I understand what you're saying, and I'm pretty sure I do, you're saying that they deserve credit for receiving money that they themselves are unable to produce. What's to give them credit for?
Wickedated
February 13, 2009 11:46 PM
^^^ I think you lack reading skills my friend. The original poster clearly says: Give credit to Iran, they DONT take money from everywhere, unlike other arab nations.
nendor
February 14, 2009 1:41 AM
you can't stereotype a whole religion there are psyc people in any religion this is what i believe in
need4speed
February 14, 2009 1:43 AM
move over ford, gmc, pontiac, buick, saturn, lincoln, dodge, cadillac, mercury, hummer, jeep, honda, nissan, acura, toyota, lexus, infiniti, daewoo, kia, hyundai, vw, bmw, mercedes benz, porsche, opel, fiat, ferrari, alfa romeo, seat, vauxhall, subaru, mitsubishi, mazda, isuzu, volvo, saab, tata (pushing it with this one) etc etc the Samand Soren ELX four-door has arrived...i apologize if i have failed to mention your favorite automotive company
lucifa
February 15, 2009 4:44 AM
I have to say, that was a decent effort of naming just about every automotive marque. :)
kouki
February 14, 2009 2:11 AM
I don't believe how people can easily say something like "Islam's stupid rules..." without any foundations...I can only say: try to be less ignorant before criticizing a whole religion...
I am a muslim, however, i came here to talk about cars, not to continue this kind of stupid debates..
So i'm gonna talk about cars: the title says this is the most powerful natural gas engine with 150hp, but i think there was already a special tuned version of the M3 running with natural gas that is way powerful than this car, am i wrong? does anybody have an explanation?
tootall
February 14, 2009 3:46 AM
The figures aren't too shabby. I wonder what is it's range on a single tank.
m5lover
February 14, 2009 5:20 AM
I love how they didn't disclose any info about the car (It's a matter of national dignity)
Edited by user on February 14, 2009 at 5:25 AM
RD
February 14, 2009 8:48 AM
Engine code:EF7 Turbo Displacement:1700cc 4 valves per cylinder 16 valves in total Max power:156Hp Max torque:210Nm
EF7 N/A Compression ratio: 11.1 Max power: 115Hp@6000Rpm Max torque: 155Nm@3000Rpm More info and pics: http://www.tuningtalk.com/forum/elx-t25641-15.html
phobos
February 14, 2009 9:43 AM
..wow 1.7 ltr with 156 hp ? woww is that real ? i don't think they can get that kind of power from a cng 1.7 ltr cng engine...Motor_Yakuza, your freaking joke can start a war..so shut the hell up..
James2911
February 14, 2009 12:30 PM
Is it nuclear? No offense meant.
Edited by user on February 14, 2009 at 12:38 PM
GRAVE
February 14, 2009 9:27 PM
now this topic is about a car from Iran, why the hell you mention the religion in your comments?!
dom6698
February 15, 2009 1:26 AM
It has offended me, and I can forget about it, but why do you have to stirr up more and more silly stuff? Some people have got enough reason (or think they have) to hate people and blow people up without an silly person like you making silly racist comments. Don't rock the boat.
Pentium
February 15, 2009 5:04 AM
This company is kind of good, I drove one of its 206 and now it's making a powerful gas engine...nice!
Edited by user on February 15, 2009 at 5:05 AM
radmeister
February 15, 2009 9:26 AM
Lie, many people have converted 4.6L ford engines to CNG or propane and have hit much better figures. Hell we have buses that run on CNG in my city and they get 300hp and 750lbft. Maybe they meant the most powerful production consumer vehicle, by far not the most powerful tuned natural gas, and by far not the most powerful industrial CNG engine.
smohed
February 15, 2009 12:49 PM
I thank both of you "Lucifa" & " Motor_Yakuza" for your comment about this sensitive subject. Being a muslim or Christian or a jew or any other religion, there are some political and religious rules about the religion itself let's say politico-religious rules. I am a muslim - and I don't know about you Christians - but in islam It is Prohibited to make a joke about islam at any pattern. Making a joke of something means that you don't - really - respect it. What I want you to know is that the Islam is not only a religion, it is a way of life - if you don't know- . Don't take my words as a complement of the islam. But it teaches you everything. From worship God up to how to clean yourself after you go to the toilet. In Islam it is also Prohibited to make fun of any other religion. Please don't make my speech offensive. But this is what Islam teach us. Al-Salam Alaycom all
Edited by user on February 15, 2009 at 12:51 PM
lucifa
February 15, 2009 2:16 PM
See smohed, in Australia it's almost the complete opposite -- a joke down here is a form of a compliment, not disrespect. So while it may be offensive in Islam, here it's culturally acceptable to joke about, well, anything. The only real rule here is, if someone has died, you can't joke about it until everyone's through mourning them. Racist, sexist and stereotypical jokes are entirely acceptable, because Australians understand that none of us actually mean anything malicious. Our culture is by no means perfect, but personally I feel much of the world has something to learn from Australians -- the more relaxed, laid-back, pacifistic attitude of the Aussies seems to be the route to peace (except when our Prime Minister follows his master into Iraq). Not meaning to offend any other culture, but that's my 2 cents.
BrianWCF
February 16, 2009 12:24 AM
You made very offensive racist comments. The rules are clearly stated and they will be enforced. It's much easier for us to click the ban button than for you to keep registering.
lucifa
February 16, 2009 10:27 AM
I tried to be impartial; seems I didn't manage it. Sorry mate ;)
(And I'd like to point out that I wasn't the one who made the racist joke, nor did I agree with it, I just said it raised an interesting point about difference in culture ;))
GRAVE
February 15, 2009 7:25 PM
it's ugly in your opinion, but for a country with a less experience in manufacturing cars than other countries as Germany, Japan, US and the UK, this car looks really awsome.
mortz
February 15, 2009 9:00 PM
Us kiwis get called Shep shaggers but hey who cares. We are supposed to be advanced intelligent beings but US humans are still so primitive its not funny, when we argue over whose religion, race, culture is better and kill each other over it, isn't it old now, its time us humans realized that we will always have different beliefs but at the end of the day we are all human beings so we are all the same just different in little ways. its time for unity. Sites like this are really important because we can reach each other from different walks of life and have a common interest and leave our differences at home. Lets all set an example and show some compassion and love for our brothers and sisters from all over the world, all i can say is where is the love??
Edited by user on February 15, 2009 at 11:02 PM
kouki
February 15, 2009 11:18 PM
Well said Mortz, respect. We are here to talk about cars because that's what all the visitors of this site have in common.
Renegade
February 16, 2009 2:12 AM
Ok, this car gets the title for the "ugliest car of the month", I doubt that we will see a uglier car this month. Even those Dacia things look better.
smohed
February 16, 2009 9:57 AM
You probably right "Lucifa", But if anyone on earth told me not to make fun of him I will respect his demand no matter what who this guy or his believes. As you said there are different cultures. Everyone follow what he believes no matter if it is wrong or right. I do love the australians people, they are great people, I have been there for a while. My pleasure to learn from you anything useful. I would to thank "mortz" for his comment, you are a great guy you know that, after all we are all human beings, and we have to live in piece. Sorru for that "kouki" you are right, we should talk about cars in here , ;) regards Al-Salam alaycom all
lucifa
February 16, 2009 10:24 AM
I think it all comes down to people making comments or jokes which are appropriate to their own culture/race/religion, but readers from a different nationality will find it offensive because it's not acceptable in theirs. I think it's just more harmonious if, when people joke in a way that is offensive to some nationalities, the people from those nationalities just take in their stride that it's acceptable in the joker's culture, instead of having us all turn to a racial debate which gets us nowhere. It's not an easy thing to do, but I just feel it would be effective.
And by the way smohed, thanks for the interesting insight into Muslim culture/doctrine; it's not always known that it's against Islamic belief to joke about a religion.
smohed
February 16, 2009 9:57 AM
You probably right "Lucifa", But if anyone on earth told me not to make fun of him I will respect his demand no matter what who this guy or his believes. As you said there are different cultures. Everyone follow what he believes no matter if it is wrong or right. I do love the australians people, they are great people, I have been there for a while. My pleasure to learn from you anything useful. I would to thank "mortz" for his comment, you are a great guy you know that, after all we are all human beings, and we have to live in piece. Sorry for that "kouki" you are right, we should talk about cars in here , ;) regards Al-Salam alaycom all
arash84v
February 16, 2009 6:12 PM
Hey every1 the car is already being produced in Iran with a 100bhp engine,it uses a a 1.8L engine for the price of $17,000 prox. with 2 air bags.the car is alright but they cld hv done better.by da way the engine was in a developement state around 2 years with English eompany.
vadizzel
February 16, 2009 7:30 PM
Now I have seen everything. An Iraninan car? They will have the same quality as Russian cars when the industry was controlled by a government. Most likely these cars will not leave middle east and will not be mass produced.
Iran
February 20, 2009 1:03 AM
that*s just piece of shit. car platform is peugeot 405. no quality. no security. no good service. i*m come from iran. we buy car*s very expensive. in iran benefit of customs is over 110%. for example 40000$ car in iran sold 90000% . our goverment*s man are cruel. they are no Human.
rover-hater
February 24, 2009 4:14 AM
No its not a piece of s**t. And vadizzel, its predecessor, the original Samand is already made and sold all over the world. Its made in overseas plants in Belarus, Senegal, Venezuela, Syria and Azerbaijan. New plants are being built in Algeria and Turkey. Its shown itself to be very popular for performance and build quality in the many countries it is exported to and taken major market share in Russia where imports of it only started in 2005. Bosch of Germany is in talks with IranKhodro for an agreement to manufacture their EF7 engine under licence in Germany. Its target market is the developing world, hence the conservative styling.
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