We present an extension of a simple automaton model to incorporate non-local
interactions extending over a spatial range in lattice gases. {}From the
viewpoint of Statistical Mechanics, the lattice gas with interaction range may
serve as a prototype for non-ideal gas behavior. {}From the density
fluctuations correlation function, we obtain a quantity which is identified as
a potential of mean force. Equilibrium and transport properties are computed
theoretically and by numerical simulations to establish the validity of the
model at macroscopic scale.Comment: 12 pages LaTeX, figures available on demand ([email protected]