High-octane premium fuels...They were nothing but a distant fantast a couple of years back where only imported cars required this diet. After the dawn of liberalistion and the subsequent introduction of high performance engines available in Indian cars (e.g. the Honda City Vtec, Fiat Palio 1.6 etc.), better fuel became more a necessity than a luxury. Ajmat and Shan2nu will vouch for the fact that their Vtecs crave for higher octane petrol which totally diminishes the low-rpm jerking and high-rpm knocking in their engines. Most of the D segmenters including the Accord, Camry, Vectra (especially) and Mondeo run much better on higher octane fuel...this is an accepted fact.
But does Speed93 actually work out to a more expensive proposition?
Bombay Prices in price/liter
Regular unleaded is Rs. 40.96
Regular Speed * ** * *Rs. 42.30
Speed 93 * * * * * ** * Rs. 43.80
So the difference between regular petrol and regular octane speed is Rs. 1.34, while Speed93 commands a Rs.2.84 premium over the regular liquid. Honda City Vtec on Speed93
My monthly running is apprx. 1500 kms, 80% city and the rest on the highways. In the city cycle, my Vtec has always managed an average of 9.5 kms/liter on regular unleaded fuel. A month back, I gassed her up with Speed93 and the average immediately jumped to 10.6! I thought I would experiment a little longer to check for consistency and boy, was I surprised. Over the past 4 weeks on Speed93 exclusively, the average of my Vtec has stayed between 10.5 to 10.9 - in city driving conditions!! Never before has she delivered these figures in Bombay city on any occassion!
Calculations Normal Unleaded Fuel
1500/9.5 * 40.96 = Rs. 6467.3
Speed 93
1500/10.6 * 43.8 = Rs. 6198.11
Holy Cow!! Are you surprised too?
I am saving Rs.270 per month by using premium fuels. In addition to this benefit:
1. My Vtec runs much smoother
2. The engine responsiveness is razor sharp
3. In addition to being higher octane, Speed 93 also has cleansing additives. This means cleaner injectors and a fuel supply system at all times.
4. Pure for Sure - Speed93 is available ONLY through pure for sure outlets. This guarantees you a genuine product and totally eliminates the adulteration factor - Most important in the Indian scenario where adulteration is so rampant. *
Simpler put, the price of Speed93 over regular unleaded is 6.93 %. But the increase in fuel efficiency is a whopping 11.6 %! Mercedes Benz C180 on Speed93
The Merc has also been receiving a premium diet since the last three weeks. While the average has gone up by 11.2 % (and thus still cheaper than running normal fuel), the most significant benefit is the improved throttle response at low rpms. Anyone who is familiar with the C180 will certify the absolute lack of grunt below 1500 rpm. There is just no action.
However, on Speed93...the engine responsiveness has become so much more improved that its just unbelievable. No more launching at higher rpms in city driving conditions, you can get the car rolling just like any other Japanese sedan with minimalistic levels of throttle input.
However, do keep in mind that high compression engines will benefit the most from 93 octane fuels, and lower/mid-range cars are much better off using regular octane petrol - as recommended by the respective manufacturers. My 1996 Esteem VX with over 100,000 kms did not show any significant benefits. But I do remember some members complaining about excessive knocking in their WagonR's and strongly recommend Speed93 to them.
But all you guys out there with Palio 1.6's, Citys, Vtecs, Accords etc...Gas up on Speed93 yourself, it works out cheaper and the adjoining benefits make it more than worth the effort.
GTO