Esso ups the game in the field of higher grade unleaded petrol…
Kim Henson reports…
Kim writes, “I have long been a believer in using the ‘premium’ or superior grades of fuel produced by the main players in the forecourt industry, both petrol and diesel, in my own vehicles. I use these fuels where available because, quite simply, I find that typically performance is noticeably and consistently enhanced and consumption improved (and I do keep accurate consumption records…), although I have found that mpg gains are not usually, in themselves, sufficient to recoup the extra cost of these superior products.
In addition, although it is difficult to prove without dismantling and analysing a vehicle’s engine and fuel system under ‘lab test’ conditions, the extra cleansing and other additives in such fuels bode well for the long-term health/survival of the engine and fuel supply system, thus saving money in the long term. For optimum performance (in terms of dynamics, emissions and fuel consumption) all internal combusion engines, and especially modern units incorporating very close tolerances and finely-engineered fuel system components, need clean, top quality fuel that burns efficiently.
I was therefore interested to learn that Esso has introduced a new and technically advanced unleaded petrol product in its Synergy range, with a significantly higher octane rating (99) compared with other fuels (including all previous Esso unleaded petrols), and said to provide many other useful benefits, as detailed in the information from Esso, that follows.
It’s important to mention that you don’t need a high performance vehicle to gain from using the new superior Esso petrol, for its sophisticated additives are intended to work well in ‘everday’ vehicles as well as potentially faster machinery.
I was also delighted to learn that, for the moment at least, this new superior Esso petrol does NOT contain ethanol. More about this at the end of this feature, but this is a crucially important consideration for the owners of many older vehicles including classics, the fuel system components and hoses of which can degrade in an expensive and dangerous manner…”
Here’s what Esso says about its new ‘Synergy Supreme+ 99′ petrol…
Esso’s highest-octane product, designed to enhance performance while delivering twice the cleaning power.
Formula 1 driver Alex Albon experienced the new product during a series of ice cream van driving challenges!
Esso UK’s first 99 octane fuel, Synergy Supreme+ 99, became available at forecourts throughout Great Britain from 14 October 2020 (but, for a limited time, with the exception of sites in the north west of England).
The new premium unleaded petrol can offer performance benefits as drivers again take to Britain’s roads.
To highlight its benefits, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team driver Alex Albon recently experienced the Synergy Supreme+ 99 premium petrol by driving an ice cream van powered by the new fuel, during a series of challenges. (Note: ‘Synergy’ is a Trade Mark).
Max Verstappen said: “The Esso engineers working on the development of Formula 1 fuels are the same team involved in the development of road car products, so it’s great to test it first- hand at the launch of Esso’s new fuel, Synergy Supreme+ 99.”
Through the partnership with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Alex showcased the benefits of Synergy Supreme+ 99 Unleaded, Esso’s highest-octane fuel (this petrol has higher octane vs. previous Supreme+ formulations). To see how the drivers handled the challenges, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU1LR7WTUVs&t=10s
Note: All the photographs in the following slideshow were taken at the ExxonMobil Photoshoot on September 14, 2020 in Rioveggio, Italy. Chris Ricco/ChrisRiccoPhoto.
Esso says… There are a number of benefits that come from Synergy Supreme+ 99:
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- Higher octane levels are known to help prevent ‘knock’-related performance losses in modern cars – a phenomenon which occurs when air and fuel ignite in the engine without a spark.
- The product is enriched with double detergent additives compared to Esso’s regular petrol. This gives the engine a deeper clean, which helps improve performance and, therefore, better fuel efficiency for your vehicle..
- Double protection additives including friction-reducing molecules help your engine’s moving parts to work more efficiently***.
- Oscar Scriva, Europe & Africa Fuels Programme Manager at ExxonMobil, said: “We are delighted to be introducing Synergy Supreme+ 99 into the UK market, to help drivers make the most of their engine’s potential performance. With Synergy Supreme+ 99 we have put the ‘potent’ in potential performance!”
- For further information on how Synergy Supreme+ 99 can benefit your car, visit https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels.
*** Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 claims based on (1) internal or third party vehicle engine testing; and /or (2) government publications; and/or (3) industry or scientific literature. Benefits may vary depending on factors such as engine type and calibration, driving style and fuel previously used. Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 Unleaded Petrol has a double additive treat rate, compared to Esso Synergy Unleaded Petrol. Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 Unleaded contains a friction modifier. Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 Unleaded is available at selected Esso branded service stations only.
This new product is the latest addition to Esso’s Synergy range of fuels, including Synergy Unleaded and Synergy Supreme+, engineered to deliver optimised performance and protection.
Kim adds…
It’s ethanol-free!
I was aware that previous versions of Esso’s Synergy petrol were ethanol-free, and was keen to discover whether this was the case with the new higher grade Synergy Supreme+ 99. Thankfully for many drivers with older cars/classics (including me!), it is. This is what Esso’s website states on this subject at the moment – but please note that, as mentioned in the following text, this situation could change…
“Although our pumps have E5 labels on them, our Synergy Supreme+ 99 is actually ethanol free (except, due to technical supply reasons, in Devon, Cornwall, the Teesside area, Scotland and NW England). Legislation requires us to place these E5 labels on pumps that dispense unleaded petrol with ‘up to 5% ethanol’, including those that contain no ethanol, which is why we display them on our Synergy Supreme+ 99 pumps.
There’s currently no requirement for renewable fuel, like ethanol, to be present in super unleaded petrol although this could change in the future, in which case we would comply with any new legislation.”
On Wheels-Alive we have comprehensively covered the potential problems of ethanol in fuel used in older vehicles, ultimately resulting in degradation of petrol hoses and fuel system components, potentially resulting in leaks and fire hazards, as well as running problems (these articles can be found by entering ‘ethanol’ in our search box). So it is good to know that ethanol-free superior grade petrol can be obtained for these vehicles, from Esso stations.”