Saw an old episode of Fifth Gear on Dave the other day and they tested the old Shell Optimax (replaced now by Vpower) in a standard car, Golf GTI and Impreza WRX (225bhp). Now the Golf got an increase of 6bhp and it was rolling road tested at 170 bhp, while the Impreza saw a 15bhp gain. Does this mean something like a 200bhp Octavia vRS would punch out an extra 10 or so bhp??? Just wondered what everyone thought !

You would need super-unleaded to reach the 200bhp anyway? V-power is slightly higher again, so you would potentially pop a few more horses out.

Saw an old episode of Fifth Gear on Dave the other day and they tested the old Shell Optimax (replaced now by Vpower) in a standard car, Golf GTI and Impreza WRX (225bhp). Now the Golf got an increase of 6bhp and it was rolling road tested at 170 bhp, while the Impreza saw a 15bhp gain. Does this mean something like a 200bhp Octavia vRS would punch out an extra 10 or so bhp??? Just wondered what everyone thought !

In theory yes you should gain roughly 10 bhp from running your vRS on V-power.

I personally have always run all my cars on V-power (felica 1.3LXI/Fabia 2.0 8v/Fabia vRS). I find they run better. I get more MPG it pulls harder and smoother.

I was running on Tesco 99 for ages while my mate ran his Golf on V-Power and swore by it.

I tried a couple of tanks full and I am not going back

Better fuel certainly makes a big difference on new engines.

Actually even on old cars it makes a difference I remember a couple of Capris I used to have, the mechanics messed with it and changed bits on the carb and the timing etc. It wouldn't run particularly well on anything but the higher octane stuff and it seemed to run best on Shell fuel but I always thought this was just my imagination.

I was running on Tesco 99 for ages while my mate ran his Golf on V-Power and swore by it.

I tried a couple of tanks full and I am not going back

That tesco 99 stuff leaves red stains all over your spark plugs. It's supplied by Greenergy and they use MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl to you and me) in that particular fuel. MMT is legal to use the in UK currently, however other parts of the world have banned it -- it's really bad for humans, it's a neuro-toxin. I don't follow why it's not banned here? A lot (most?) manufacturers, certainly at least Toyota, Volvo, Ford & Vauxhall recommend against using any oil addatives or fuel containing MMT.

But, it's not in the public spotlight so who cares right

Dunno about that but my spark plugs were not red when I took them out and I only have the same amount of brain damage as I had before using Tesco 99... At least I think

Playing Devil's advocate here, the Skoda figures (certainly for the Pre FL MkII vRS) are based on using 98 Octane as the recommended fuel, so I wouldn't expect to see any noticeable gain on factory figures, but a drop if using normal unleaded.

Edited 20 May, 201016 yr by Waerla

I know higher ron for petrols makes a difference but!

does diesels "super unleaded" version makes a difference... :wonder: thought diesels were just diesels..

Edited 20 May, 201016 yr by JLneonhug

I know higher ron for petrols makes a difference but!

does diesels "super unleaded" version makes a difference... :wonder: thought diesels were just diesels..

Yep, petrol have octane ratings, diseasals have cetane numbers.

Shell re-branded 95 Octane in NZ as V-Power without changing it or the octane level. Standard is 91 here.

do pref the shell fuel ... with a plus point ( livin in london ) my 2 shell petrol stations i use ( 1 near home and 1 near work ) are cheaper than my local supermarkets hence i dont use supermarket fuel

I alway use V-Power and often find that Shell garages are often as cheap as the cheapest around. V-Power (if I'm correct) should be 7ppl more expensive than standard unleaded but I have been caught out at some Shell garages (normally ones with a Mace supermarket combined) will charge a LOT more, problem is they never advertise the premium prices. You only find out when you lift the pump up. I think Tesco should be praised for advertising their premium fuel prices.

As for BHP increases I don't actually know but I hear the Octy vRS runs "like a dog" when fueled with normal fuel so I just don't bother - I call it one of my luxuries in life

Running on 95 feels sooooo underpowered but if you are going on a long run i.e. 250-300 miles it can be worth it.

Running on 95 feels sooooo underpowered but if you are going on a long run i.e. 250-300 miles it can be worth it.

Eh???? why would you use a lower octane than is recommended for your car(remapped as well??). Use the correct octane you will get more mpg and performance and less chance of damaging your engine.

Edited 30 May, 201016 yr by kenny rsell