The World’s Fastest Car Runs on Natural Gas

The world’s fastest street-legal car, the Maxximus LNG 2000, set world records in January this year for operating both on LNG (liquefied natural gas) and LPG (propane). It may come as a surprise, since the common misconception is that natural gas vehicles have less power than their gasoline counterparts.The Maxximus, however, can go from 0-60 mph in 1.96 seconds when running on LNG, while the average gasoline-powered car reaches that speed in around nine seconds.

Centaur Performance Group, the team behind the Maxximus, spent more than 21,000 man hours and used proprietary technology to create a car that can run on both LNG and LPG with the flick of a switch.

Some of the car’s features include:

• The car runs on LNG, CNG and LPG  
• All carbon fiber body
• 430 CI twin turbos
• All aluminum V8, 1600 + HP
• Cryogenic chilled center-coolers
• Self pressuring fuel tanks
• Gaseous fuel injectors
• Boost reference gaseous regulators
• All state legal emissions

Centaur’s owner, Bruce McMahan said, “When it comes to automobile performance, natural gas is at the forefront of people’s thinking. By using both LNG and LPG instead of gasoline, Centaur is taking up the charge in doing all it can to reduce America’s dependence on foreign fuel sources.”

The Maxximus’ designer, Marlon Kirby, added, “Natural gas is a lot more attractive given the situation in the market, and there isn’t a car on the market that currently utilizes both LNG and propane. It’s the ultimate win-win for everybody.”

It’s encouraging to see that natural gas vehicles are breaking records set by gasoline-powered cars. This record-breaking super car is a great example of the potential performance using the cleaner-burning fuel. More OEMs continue to announce natural gas options for their most popular models, a sign that the consumer demand for alternative fuels is reaching a tipping point.

Watch a video of the Maxximus in action: