Green cars are slowly starting to gain some traction in the automotive realm, as seemingly every manufacturer now offers some sort of hybrid model. Even electric cars are starting to see a lot of upswing lately, as most manufacturers are at least tinkering with the EV idea. However, there is one “green” mode of transportation that is getting overlooked at every turn. This is liquid natural gas and compressed natural gas.

One company has made LNG and CNG its No. 1 priority lately, and that is Maxximus->ke3877. Maxximus’ first vehicle was a supercar dubbed the G-Force and it recently took that monster and turned it into a vehicle that can run on LNG, CNG, or even propane, and run at an extremely high rate of speed. This new vehicle is named the LNG 2000->ke3878.

CNG and LNG are not only 90 percent cleaner burning than gasoline, making them the cleanest burning fossil fuel, but they are also as much as 50 percent cheaper than gasoline. Of course, some oil tycoon would snatch up the world’s supply and eventually drive process to the range of gasoline. At least it would provide a little temporary relief for the price of fuel, as we search for a legitimate alternative.

When most people think of alternative fuels, they think of a slow-moving vehicle that isn’t practical in the real world. Can the Maxximus LNG 2000 break this mold?

Click past the jump to read the full review.

2013 Maxximus LNG 2000

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Maxximus LNG 2000
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 1600
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

From the outside, the Maxximus LNG 2000 looks like something straight off of the Le Mans series, as it truly has race car-like features. Its nose dives downward into a sharp front end, allowing air to swoop over it and then disburse around the odd, yet functionally shaped, windshield. The body is constructed completely from carbon fiber, making it strong, yet light. The headlights are about as awkward looking as the Zonda quad exhaust system, as there are four individual lights in each headlight assembly. We’re sure it looks pretty cool all lit up though.

The roof angles downward at a very shallow degree, giving it that “supercar” appearance. As you get to the rear end, you get a traditional looking taillight cluster that almost resembles the old Countach. It also has air inlets just in front of each rear wheel, which likely provide airflow to the engine or radiator.

The doors are a little unorthodox, as they open like a true race car. You pull the handle and the door opens upward and forward at the same time. This can definitely lead to knocking your head a few times when getting in and out.

Interior

There are absolutely no pictures of this supercar’s interior, nor does Maxximus give any details on what’s inside. We can make out from images that this car is a two seater, but that’s it. Speculation leads us to believe that this car will be similar to earlier race-inspired supercars and features little more than a seat and a steering wheel. We will continue to keep you updates on more interior features as they come.

Drivetrain

Now for the really fun stuff, the drivetrain… We know plenty about the engine, as Maxximus has announced that this LNG-powered engine produces 430 horsepower, but no mention on torque. The engine is a 430 cubic-inch V-8 and is made completely from aluminum. It also boasts two turbochargers, which pump its output to well over 1,600 horsepower. To boot, this super car’s emissions pass all 50 state tests. Plus, it simply sounds phenomenal, like a true race car.

As for the transmission and driveline, Maxximus did not release any information. Judging from the above video of the LNG 2000, it has either a manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission and it is definitely a rear-wheel-drive platform. That’s about where the knowledge of the driveline ends.

On the down side, not many mechanics are up to date on how to repair a CNG drivetrain, and chances of many ever learning the trade are slim. This means you will have to have this vehicle maintained at specialty shops that likely charge two or three times the average repair rates.

Performance

Just recently, we discussed how the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet recently beat the Bugatti Veyron’s existing acceleration records, but that the Veyron remained the quickest street legal vehicle. Well, sorry Bugatti, but this car takes that award now, as it hits 60 mph in just 1.96 seconds and 150 mph in just 9.21 seconds. However, the Bugatti still holds the award as fastest street legal production car, as the Maxximus is not considered a production car yet.

The LNG 2000 also runs the quarter mile in 9.63 seconds at 159.9 mph. Those are all rather impressive numbers for any super car, let alone a natural gas-powered one. In addition to that, Maxximus recently took the LNG 200 out once again, running on propane (LNG), and smashed another three records: 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds; the quarter mile in 10.28 seconds; and a speed of 134 mph. The car was driven by designer, Marlon Kirby. With seven records under its belt, the LNG 2000 has become the fastest powered supercar ever created using both LNG and LPG.

Price

Yeah, this is the part we really don’t want to know about. However, if you insist, we can give you a rough idea. First, there is the Maxximus G-Force, which runs an “easy-to-afford” $3 million, then you have the Prodigy – another natural gas supercar – that runs $1 million. From what we can see, the Prodigy is a decked out luxury car in addition to a 2,000-horsepower natural gas ride. This would lead us to believe that the LNG 2000 would likely come in just under the Prodigy’s->ke3989 pricing, likely in the $600,000 range.

This is purely speculation at this point, and we will keep you abreast on all of the updates on this vehicle.

Competition

The LNG 2000 has no competition, as it is the first ever natural gas-powered supercar. Its closest competitors may be the Tesla Roadster->ke1843, the Fisker Karma, and the BMW i8->ke3878, but none of them offer the same benefits that the LNG 2000 does. Plus, none of them are true supercars, they are more or less just sports cars.

With these new advancements, however, we are bound to see more of these natural gas-powered supercars.

Conclusion

Until we see a final production model and get to find out what’s on the inside of the LNG 2000, we will reserve our judgment. As it sits now, this is a novel idea, but ultimately a waste, as natural gas has never been an efficient way to fuel a vehicle and is in the same “limited supply” boat as gasoline. Plus, finding a natural gas filling station these days is not a simple task, just ask any government worker that happens to drive a CNG vehicle.

With this company’s innovative mind, they might be able to develop a better alternative fuel for this model. The most likely candidate is, of course, hydrogen.