Mention the word ‘fuel’ these days and the conversation immediately heats up, usually accompanied by universal condemnation of the price of diesel and petrol. And with the Middle East war continuing to play havoc with fuel prices, motorists and transport operators have plenty to grumble about.
However, amid all this fuel price mayhem, it’s good to see that the laboratory techno-boffins at Engen have found time to develop a new premium fuel range which, the company claims, can help vehicles travel further, keep engines cleaner and improve overall performance.
Called Engen V-Max, the new offering brings the company’s premium petrol and diesel products together under a single brand, catering for a wide range of modern and older engine technologies. It is being made available at participating Engen service stations and through applicable commercial supply channels.
According to Engen, V-Max has been formulated using advanced additive technology designed to improve fuel economy, remove and control engine deposits and protect critical engine components. And here’s where things get interesting.
Engen says standard industry testing against base fuel showed that V-Max delivered up to 25 kilometres more per tank, while achieving up to 100% removal of deposits from certain engine components tested. Those are impressive figures, particularly at a time when every kilometre squeezed out of a tank of fuel counts. However, there’s an important qualification. The results were obtained under specific test conditions and do not necessarily reflect what motorists or transport operators will experience in everyday driving.
Engen itself acknowledges that actual benefits will vary depending on vehicle type, age, driving conditions, driving style and vehicle load. In other words, don’t automatically expect an extra 25 kilometres every time you fill up.
Commenting on the launch, George Roberts, Engen CEO and executive vice president for Vivo Energy South, says the new fuel range forms part of the company’s ongoing investment in fuel technology.
“Engen is committed to continuously investing in innovation to ensure our fuels deliver meaningful benefits for our customers,” he says. “V-Max is our next-generation premium fuel offering, developed to provide enhanced economy as well as cleaning and protection benefits. By bringing our premium petrol and diesel fuels together under one brand, we are also making it easier for customers to choose a fuel that helps them maximise every journey and ultimately maximise their day.”
For transport operators, where fuel represents one of the largest operating expenses, any genuine improvement in fuel efficiency or engine cleanliness is certainly worth investigating. Of course, the real test will be whether the benefits demonstrated in the laboratory translate into measurable savings and improved performance under actual operating conditions. That’s where the rubber – and the fuel- meets the road.
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