Saw an article in the local papers about Shell launching a new 100 Ron petrol in Germany soon, under the V-Power label (equivalent to the Optimax in UK, I think). If it will also be introduced in UK, your problems with engine detting may be over. We have a version of V-Power here, at a 15% premium to SUL, but both are 97 Ron, so didn't bother to try, despite claims of better everything for the former compared to SUL.

 

Optimax in Germany is 99 RON, is it different in the UK?

 

Optimax in Greece is 99+. Actually we have 2 Optimax petrols, one is 96RON and the expensive one is 99+ RON. The 96 one is called V Power and the other is called V Power racing.

Cheers,

Wrexy.

 

In Hong Kong, there are 2 types of Shell petrol - Super 98 and V-Power. For some reason, both are RON98, but V-Power is about 8% more expensive.
Oil companies here only offer RON98 petrol.

 

So there are now 97, 98, 99 Ron versions of the same brand of petrol and soon there will be a 100 Ron one, pretty confusing to the average consumer, especially when you can have two versions with the same Ron ratings but different prices.
Clarence, do you find the benefits of the V-Power version justify the premium price, especially when it is closer to 15% premium down here?

 

I haven't tested it myself, as I usually go for Caltex (cos the station nearest is a Caltex). Some ppl say it made a difference, some didn't, but the price difference isn't so great here.
Caltex & Mobil also offer 'regular' RON98 & 'premium' RON98, in response to Shell. Haven't tried either as the regular here is already RON98.
Btw, all petrol in HK come from Singaporean refineries.

 

We already have V-power Optimax here (Germany) and it's advertised as 99 RON. It's a bit more expensive, like Optimax is in the UK. However, almost all petrol stations sell 98 RON anyway, so it's not so vital. However, my car likes Optimax, and as there's a garage round the corner, it'll continue to drink its favourite beverage

Richard

 

hope they bring the 99 ron out in the uk as im fed up with buying bottles of octaine booster.

 

What's the difference between regular & V-Power in Malaysia? It didn't say much apart from some PR stuff in Shell HK's site.
The price difference between the 2 here is just a tad over 6%.

 

Clarence, the PR stuff given out at the launch is that V-Power is made from a different base stock from Super (some mention about Formula 1 playing a part in the R&D), so supposedly offers better combustion, cleaner engine etc., but a 15% premium is a bit hard to justify on regular use unless it gives a corresponding increase in m.p.g. Since the local Scoobs are all 220 p.s. output and both petrols are 97 Ron, there is no requirement to use the premium fuel inspite of the relatively lower cost of petrol here.

 

According to Shell, Optimax is 98.6 RON

 

The V power racing fuel labelled as 99+ in Greece, means that it's always over 99 RON.

Cheers,

Wrexy.

 

Even if it does come here, I think I will still use octane booster for peace of mind, you can't always guarantee the octane level in optimax.

Simb

 

why people constanly usig octane booster? surely it a LOT better idea (for performance, reliablilty, and saving $$$) to jus get the bloody car mapped for UK fuel.

 

Hey you people should stop whinning, we poor sods here in South Africa has 93 as the highest pump fuel (in Gauteng where 80% of Scooby owners live)

 

Pardon my ignorance, but wouldn't the car's ECU adjust to lower Ron fuels (to a limited extent at least) so it will reduce the risk of detting by cutting back on the power? A remap will just make that adjustment permanment, in effect detuning the engine? Or can that cut down the risk of detting but maintain the same max power output?

 

I use the 99+ for about 10 months now. I see better response in low rpm and the car is running much better in long ways cruises.
After the first full up i recet my ECU in a local subaru dealer and thats all.

 

A question for all the Scoob drivers in France:
Is there Optimax out there?

 

Just a quick update. They've had Optimax here in Germany for a while now, but over the last week or so, it's been changed to "V-Power 100" and is 100 RON.

After a couple of tankfuls, the car is definitely a bit quieter and smoother, but now is a bit too quiet!

Richard