Shell launches Optimax-beater
99RON fuel to deliver 'more power and responseiveness'
Optimax to take a back seat?
Available across the UK, the 99RON petrol builds on the company's Optimax fuel launched in 2001, and is designed to provide even more power and responsiveness. It follows BP's launch of its 102 Unleaded brand recently (see link below).
Instrumental to Shell V-Power’s development has been the working relationship forged between Shell and Ferrari over the last 50 years across the Grand Prix circuits of the world. The Ferrari F1 car provides Shell scientists with a cutting-edge mobile laboratory enabling fuels to be developed and tested under the most severe conditions, benefiting from instant feedback and analysis. Findings are fed back into Shell’s road fuel development programmes.
The result: a fuel for customers who understand that not all fuels are the same, according to Shell.
- It contains Shell's unique Friction Modification Technology (FMT) as used by the Formula 1 Ferrari team in their 2006 racing fuels. This is designed to help the engine turn more freely and improve performance -- according to Shell.
- The octane rating of 99RON is designed to provide more power and improved responsiveness in many modern cars.
- It contains a powerful cleaning formula designed to improve engine responsiveness by removing power-robbing deposits, helping the fuel to burn more effectively.
We've asked Shell how much it'll cost and are awaiting a reponse; we'll add that information here when it arrives.
Retail director John Rasmussen said: "This is a proud day for Shell Retail. Shell V-Power allows our customers to fill-up with a performance fuel derived directly from our Formula 1 technical partnership with Ferrari."
"Our relationship with Ferrari helped us introduce the first premium performance fuel to the UK market in 2001. Shell V-Power builds on that proven motor sport heritage, moving the market forward again; delivering hard-fought-for track-proven innovation, such as FMT, to the road and our customers."
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Always makes me laugh when MS credits Shell for the win in the post race conference. The difference a "new fuel" could have to an f1 car is negligible considering their strict restrictions, got to admire their marketing team for trying.
As for Audi using V-Power diesel at le mans, i believe this far from what you would get at your local pump. i think it was probably closer to jet feul than pump station diesel.
I think engines with knock sensors will show an immediate benefit, and older engines or engines without complex management systems (perhaps carb fed engines?) may need to be tuned to show any benefit of a higher octane fuel.
I am sure there are many on here that can give a better explanation, so please correct me if I said anything dumb
If your car is capable of taking advantage of it.. Either by turning up turbo/super charger boost or raising compression ratio... (to put it simply..)
Your car has to be tuned in such a way that it makes a difference. It makes a big difference to turbocharged cars as there is less engine-damaging detonation when boosting hard. Run a turbo car on regular 95 RON fuel and then compare the same car with a remapped ECU (advanced timing and fueling) running on 100 RON fuel, and the increase in power and torque becomes very noticeable.
I thought the same, as I used it while in France this year.
Have to admit on that occation , I Couldn't tell the difference between V-Power & Optimax on my VR6.
Mind you, I was ' topping up ' with some optimax already left in the tank so wasn't running on 'pure V-power'.....
but the 102 RON in Germany V-power is best! realy when you use 1/4 of the tank you can feel the extra power! nice... GTRene
What is it with launching higher octane fuels for the relatively small part of the market that would be able to take advantage of it?
This all seems a bit mad. I'd be MORE interested in seeing pumps given up for E85 bi-ethanol fuel for exmaple, which I could get my car tuned for long-term, benefiting performance and giving support to sustainable energy resources.
Madness.
If your car is capable of taking advantage of it.. Either by turning up turbo/super charger boost or raising compression ratio... (to put it simply..)
Your car has to be tuned in such a way that it makes a difference. It makes a big difference to turbocharged cars as there is less engine-damaging detonation when boosting hard. Run a turbo car on regular 95 RON fuel and then compare the same car with a remapped ECU (advanced timing and fueling) running on 100 RON fuel, and the increase in power and torque becomes very noticeable.
OK - but if I don't remap the car, would I notice any difference? My car is a new-ish TVR Tuscan?
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