How super are superfuels?
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 25 September 2008
Consumer group Which? has branded expensive superfuels a waste of money, claiming that they do not improve performance.
Which? tested three superfuels against standard petrol and concluded that their use did not improve driving.
The standard fuel tested came from supermarkets and big fuel brands, and were just as good for car as the more-expensive higher-octane superfuels, according to Which?
But oil companies have hit bak, saying that it is impossible to determine the benefits of superfuels over a short period, and casting doubt on Which?'s methodology.
The report claimed that the Shell V-Power fuel boosted power on a 1.6-litre Ford Focus a marginal power increase, but would cost £115 more than standard Shell's fuel over 12,000 miles.
Also in the report was the claim that Tesco Super Unleaded 99 Octane reduced the fuel economy of the Focus.
Meanwhile BP Ultimate diesel decreased fuel economy and performance on a Renault Megane 1.5. Other superfuels such as Esso Supreme and Total Excellium are available.
Shell hit back by saying that V-Power can rejuvenate older cars; Tesco pointed to independent research that highlighted superior performance and economy; and BP said that short-term tests on the fuels were misleading.
Which? recommended sticking to ordinary fuels and driving more economically, though did conceded that detergents in the fuels may be better for engines, and noted some decrease in CO2 and other emissions in the superfuels.
• A report by Thorney Motorsport in 2006 concluded that of the superfuels, Tesco's Super Unleaded 99 Octane was the best when tested against BP Ultimate 97 Octane and Shell Optimax - the oil company's precursor to the current V-Power.
The findings indicated that BP Ultimate 97 Octane, Optimax and Tesco Super all gave a power and torque boost due to a more efficient air/fuel burn.
A subsequent test including V-Power still found that the superfuels were superior to normal 95 Octane fuels, but concluded that the high cost of the fuels may not make the extra cash worth paying.
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