View source for Shell V-Power

{{Short description|Motor fuel brand of Shell plc}}
{{Confusing|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox brand
| name           = Shell V-Power
| logo           = Shell vpower logo.png
| logo_size      = 200
| image          = Shell vpower at filling station hong kong.jpg
| image_size     =  
| caption        = Shell petrol station in Hong Kong displaying the "V-Power" brand, pictured in 2009
| producttype    = [[Fuel]]
| currentowner   = [[Shell plc]]
| producedby     = 
| country        = [[Netherlands]] and [[United Kingdom]]
| introduced     = {{start date and age|2001}} 
| discontinued   = 
| related        =  
| markets        = Worldwide 
| previousowners = 
| trademarkregistrations = 
| ambassadors    = 
| tagline        ="Actively cleans as you drive", among others 
| website        = {{url|https://www.shell.us/motorist/shell-fuels/shell-v-power-nitro-plus-premium-gasoline.html|shell.us/vpower}}
| module         = <!-- or: misc -->
| module1        = <!-- or: misc1 -->
| footnotes     =
}}
'''Shell V-Power''' is the brand name given to [[Shell plc|Shell]]'s enhanced high specification fuels for road [[motor vehicle]]s including "Shell V-Power Nitro+" and "Shell V-Power Diesel". Introduced in Italy in 2001, Shell relaunched the fuel in March 2008, under the name Nitrogen-Enriched Shell V-Power, with [[nitrogen]]-containing [[detergent]]s.<ref>{{cite web|author1=John Fuller|title=Is nitrogen-enriched gasoline good for my car?|url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/nitrogen-enriched-gasoline.htm|website=How Stuff Works|date=30 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506090100/http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/nitrogen-enriched-gasoline.htm|archive-date=May 6, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

Initially used for higher [[octane]] Super Unleaded [[gasoline|petrol/gasoline]] (formerly known as Optimax in some regions), it is now additionally used for high specification [[diesel fuel]].

The brand is also used for Shell's [[energy drinks]]. <ref>https://canmuseum.com/Detail.aspx?CanID=43129</ref>

==V-Power Petrol==
[[gasoline|Petrol or gasoline]] is assessed, categorised and sold by an [[octane rating]]. Generally, in most areas of the world, the [[octane rating#Research Octane Number (RON)|Research Octane Number]] (RON) is used, but in North America, the [[octane rating#Anti-Knock Index (AKI) or (R+M)/2|Anti-Knock Index]] (AKI) is used. Conventional 'standard' "Super Unleaded" petrol in Europe, South Asia and Australia has an octane rating of 95&nbsp;RON, and in North America "Premium Unleaded" is AKI/RdON/PON 91–93 (RON 96–98). However, higher octane "Super Plus Unleaded" – often formulated with higher quality additives, is usually set at around 98&nbsp;RON in mainland Europe; but this can vary by market. Most{{quantify|date=May 2023}} oil and petroleum companies{{who|date=May 2023}} now{{when|date=May 2023}} market their own Super Plus Unleaded petrols under a unique name{{examples|date=May 2023}} – and the current name for Shell Super Unleaded fuel is "V-Power". Like most{{quantify|date=May 2023}} Super Plus Unleaded petrols{{explain|date=May 2023}}, V-Power also contains higher concentrations of detergents and other additives to help clean the engine and smooth its operation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shell.co.uk/motorist/shell-fuels/shell-v-power/shell-v-power-unleaded.html|title = Shell V-Power Unleaded}}</ref>

In the United Kingdom and Denmark (where Super Plus Unleaded must be a minimum of 97&nbsp;RON), V-Power has a rating of 99&nbsp;RON (whereas V-Power's predecessor Shell Optimax was rated at 98&nbsp;RON).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.topgear.com/lovemycar/dr-fuel/ |title=Dr Fuel / Shell: I ♥ My Car |access-date=2014-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505230037/http://www.topgear.com/lovemycar/dr-fuel/ |archive-date=2014-05-05 }}</ref> There are two other 99&nbsp;RON fuels available in the UK, namely [[Tesco]] Momentum99<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tescopfs.com/momentum99 |title=Tesco Petrol Filling Station |publisher=Tesco PFS |access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref> and more recently [[Esso]] Synergy Supreme+ 99.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels/petrol|title=Synergy Fuels - Esso|publisher=Esso|access-date=2021-09-12}}</ref>

In the Netherlands, V-Power used to have a 95&nbsp;RON rating, although officials from Shell stated it effectively had a 97 RON rating. Due to the limited categories of 92&nbsp;RON, 95&nbsp;RON, 98&nbsp;RON and 100&nbsp;RON,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://z3.viaisn.org/Shell_V-Power |title=Shell V-Power - Familierecepten |website=Z3.viaisn.org |access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref> it was officially rated at 95. These days, the RON rating of the V-power petrol in the Netherlands is rated at 98.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shell.nl/motorists/shell-fuels/shell-v-power/shell-v-power-gasoline.html |title=Shell V-Power brandstoffen }}</ref>

In Germany, all Shell stations offer V-Power Racing 100, rated at 100&nbsp;RON.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shell.de/mobilitaet/tanken/shell-kraftstoffe-und-adblue/shell-vpower-kraftstoffe/shell-v-power-racing.html|title=Shell V-Power Racing |website=shell.de |access-date=2022-09-05}}</ref> In Greece, all Shell stations offer V-Power rated at 97 RON. Most Shell stations also offer V-Power Racing (100 RON).{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

[[File:2009 Japanese GP - Shell V-Power barrels.jpg|thumb|left|V-Power barrels for the [[Scuderia Ferrari]] at the [[2009 Japanese Grand Prix]]]]
In Australia, from October 2006, Shell and [[Coles Express]] re-branded Optimax to V-Power (98&nbsp;RON). V-Power Racing, the ultra-high performance variant has a rating of 100&nbsp;RON although Shell decided to phase out V-Power Racing from 21 July to mid August 2008, instead recommending V-Power.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mrtperformance.com.au/about-us/news/1/437-shell-phases-out-v-power-racing-fuel-100-ron |title=Shell phases out V-Power Racing fuel (100 RON) |access-date=2011-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222165241/http://mrtperformance.com.au/about-us/news/1/437-shell-phases-out-v-power-racing-fuel-100-ron |archive-date=2011-02-22 }}</ref> The previously obtainable higher grade V-Power Racing which contained 5% ethanol to boost V-Power's octane rating to 100&nbsp;RON has now been phased out by Shell due to a "changing market".

In the United States, in around 2004, all Shell "Premium" gas was rebranded as "V-Power". In 2015, Shell re-branded V-Power to the newly launched V-Power Nitro+.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/05/31/shell-gas-premium/28254983/|title=Shell starts selling 'premium-plus' gas|website=USA TODAY|access-date=2016-06-10}}</ref>

In Canada, from June 2005, Shell Canada re-branded Optimax Gold to V-Power. In 2015, Shell Canada re-branded V-Power to V-Power Nitro+.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/autos/2015/07/09/premium-gasoline-can-save-drivers-money-shell-says.html|title=New premium gasoline can save drivers money, Shell says {{!}} Toronto Star|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=9 July 2015 |access-date=2016-06-10}}</ref>

In Hong Kong, as there is no oil refinery plant, gasoline was imported from Singapore, which is 98 RON. However, V-Power sold in gas stations was rumoured to reach 167 RON (the highest native RON for consumer grade commercial petrol worldwide).{{cn|date=October 2022}} Such a figure was not supported by any actual test, nor was it confirmed by Shell and was contradicted by a report of the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/panels/es/papers/es0424cb1-1303-3e.pdf |title=Legislative Council Panel on Economic Services |website=Legco.gov.hk |access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref>

In New Zealand, from 2007, Shell rebranded 95 Premium Unleaded as V-Power. It was still rated at 95&nbsp;RON. Shell sold its New Zealand retail operations in 2010, to a consortium which later became [[Z Energy]], and upon re-branding Shell V-Power was replaced with ZX Premium Unleaded.

In Sweden, Shell V-Power was previously 99 RON, but is now been re-branded under the new owner [[St1]] from June 2011, to "Shell V-Power E5" making it 98 RON with a mix of 5% ethanol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.st1.se/st1/main.nsf/pages/V_Power?open |title=St1 |access-date=2011-07-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326112101/http://www.st1.se/st1/main.nsf/pages/V_Power?open |archive-date=2012-03-26 }}</ref>

In Argentina, V-Power is the grade 3 fuel sold by Shell, rated at 98 RON.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shell V-Power Argentina |url=https://www.shell.com.ar/motorists/shell-fuels/_jcr_content/root/main/section/revealer/revealer_item/links/item0.stream/1702299913891/43a9c59f89409abb1f2e33eb7cfd102e9435b8a4/shell-v-power-nafta.pdf}}</ref> In the Philippines, [[Shell Pilipinas Corporation|Pilipinas Shell]] launches the new Shell V-Power (replacing Shell Velocity) in 2006. On June 1, 2012, Shell Philippines launches the premium fuel grade, Shell V-Power Nitro+ Gasoline (formerly Shell Super Premium) and Shell V-Power Nitro+ Racing (formerly Shell V-Power). In Indonesia, from April 2013, Shell rebranded 95 Super Extra as V-Power with additional additives. While it is still rated at 95 RON.

In Malaysia & Singapore, it is RON98, the octane is higher for V-Power Racing. In Philippines, on June 8, 2017, V-Power Nitro+ was replaced with V-Power with Dynaflex technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/shell-launches-new-v-power-with-dynaflex.html |title=Shell launches new V-Power with Dynaflex|work=Autoindustriya.com|date=June 15, 2017|first=Inigo|last=Roces|access-date=June 19, 2017}}</ref> In Russia, all Shell stations offer V-Power rated 95 RON, some stations also offer V-Power Racing (98 RON).

==V-Power Diesel==
[[Image:Audi R10 1.JPG|225px|thumb|An [[Audi R10 TDI|Audi R10]] [[Turbocharged Direct Injection|TDI]] LMP race car, fueled on Shell V-Power Diesel]]
V-Power Diesel is Shell's version of an enhanced [[diesel fuel]], similar to [[BP#BP retail brands|BP's]] 'Ultimate Diesel'. Like BP Ultimate Diesel, Shell V-Power Diesel is designed for modern compression-ignition [[diesel engine]]s, to facilitate enhanced engine performance along with increased engine protection, for more consistent operation and engine longevity.<ref>Shell.com - {{cite web|title=Shell V-Power Diesel - Advanced performance fuel|url=http://www.shell.co.uk/home/content/gbr/products_services/on_the_road/fuels/v_power_diesel_tpkg/|work=Shell.co.uk|access-date=15 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223094632/http://www.shell.co.uk/home/content/gbr/products_services/on_the_road/fuels/v_power_diesel_tpkg/|archive-date=23 February 2010}}</ref>

One characteristic of V-Power diesel is that it is a lot clearer and more odourless than normal diesel, mainly due to the synthetic [[gas to liquid]] (GTL) component.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}

The fuel is slightly less dense than regular diesel so, per volume, the unit energy is actually lower than regular diesel. This is offset, as the fuel tends to ignite more readily (and thus has a higher [[cetane rating]]) than regular diesel, and a side benefit of this is that it tends to produce less soot during combustion.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=24 March 2020|title=Shell GTL Fuel|url=https://www.shell.com/business-customers/commercial-fuels/shell-gtl-fuel/technical-information/_jcr_content/par/relatedtopics.stream/1496056917944/5bbe2047ad53280f54ce84ba3f824c68ef8be723/shell-gtl-fuel-knowledge-guide-en.pdf|journal=Knowledge Guide}}</ref>

Shell also markets a different "premium" diesel in Canada labeled V-Power, which they state "Is specially formulated for year-round Canadian weather conditions, with a cetane improver, a de-icer and a corrosion inhibitor.".<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Shell.com|url=http://www.shell.ca/home/content/can-en/products_services/on_the_road/fuels/shell_vpower_diesel/|title=Shell V-Power Diesel|access-date=June 13, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618021733/http://www.shell.ca/home/content/can-en/products_services/on_the_road/fuels/shell_vpower_diesel/|archive-date=June 18, 2010}}</ref> This Canadian V-Power diesel is dispensed from a dedicated pump that injects a measured amount of NEMO 2061 additive into the diesel supply shared with the other diesel pumps at the service station.,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/64-chevy-cruze-diesel/46257-shell-v-power-diesel.html |title=Shell V-Power Diesel |website=Cruzetalk.com |date=16 January 2014 |access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref> which would typically be reflected by an increase in cetane rating of 1-2 points,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=TDIClub|title=Shell's email reply to Canadian Cetane Rating|date=16 July 2008 |url=http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2218805&postcount=31|access-date=June 13, 2010}}</ref> but unlike European V-Power diesel, it contains no GTL components beyond those that may already exist in the shared diesel supply.

Effective June 1, 2012, Pilipinas Shell launches the new premium diesel fuel grade, Shell V-Power Nitro+ Diesel (formerly Shell V-Power Diesel). On June 8, 2017, Shell V-Power Nitro+ Diesel was renamed back as Shell V-Power Diesel.

==Development in motorsports==
Since 2004, Shell V-Power has been sponsoring [[Scuderia Ferrari]] that participates in [[Formula One]]. Shell V-Power also sponsored [[Audi Sport Team Joest]] factory team until 2009. Since 2016 Shell V-Power has been sponsoring [[Dick Johnson Racing]] in the [[Supercars Championship]].

Part of the campaign, especially targeted to sell "V-Power Nitro+" brand of the fuels (higher priced than usual and similar to blend used on the track) is organizing Formula One events in cities without a track. For example, on the streets of [[Warsaw, Poland]], where [[Scuderia Ferrari]]  driver [[Felipe Massa]] drove the race car used in [[2013 Formula One season|2013]] Formula One Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shell.pl/products-services/on-the-road/fuels/v-power-nitro-plus-engine-room/shell-vpower-nitro-plus-show.html |title=Shell V-Power Nitro+ Show - Polska |access-date=2013-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825212903/http://www.shell.pl/products-services/on-the-road/fuels/v-power-nitro-plus-engine-room/shell-vpower-nitro-plus-show.html |archive-date=2013-08-25 }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
All Shell V-Power fuels are featured in ''[[Need for Speed: The Run]]''.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Electronic Arts]]|title=Shell V-Power fuels in Need for Speed: The Run|url=http://www.needforspeed.com/news/get-20-run-thanks-shell|access-date=September 1, 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}

{{Shell oil}}

[[Category:Shell plc brands]]
[[Category:Automotive fuel retailers]]