Shell Diesel – A century of research and development
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Shell has over 100 years of experience in developing the technology and services that make us a leading provider of innovative and new fuels today.
Milestones on the way to the fuel economy product of today
Along the way there have been some key achievements starting with the first Shell branded petrol and leading to the fuel economy formula available on many Shell forecourts nowadays.
| 1900 - 1910 | Shell Spirit | First Shell branded petrol |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 - 1930 | Shell Dynamin | Shell fuel designed for highest engine efficiency |
| 1940 - 1950 | Shell ICA | Fuel developed for smoother running via improved ignition |
| 1960 - 1970 | Shell Economy Shell Mileage Marathon | Fuel with proven mileage ingredient Predecessor of today’s popular Shell Eco-Marathon |
| 1980 - 1990 | Shell Formula Diesel Shell Advanced/ M2000 | Global introduction of enhanced Diesel Launch of unleaded fuels and continued drive to develop inlet system cleanliness technology |
| 2000 | Shell Better Mileage Fuel Economy Formula Guinness World Record Fuel Economy Diesel | New maingrade petrol proposition launched Shell fuel stretch tips and new Fuel Economy Formula with Synthetic Viscous Friction Improver Shell achieves GWR for round the world fuel efficiency AND NOW: New Maingrade Diesel |
Shell Spirit, Shell Dynamin and Shell Fuel Economy fuel
The story starts in 1907, with Shell Spirit - the first Shell branded petrol. The fuel was used by Prince Borghese of Italy to win the Peking to Paris motor rally, beginning Shell’s association with product quality demonstrations.
In the 1920s demand for motor cars and gasoline increased significantly. Shell reacted to this and developed Shell Dynamin: a fuel with advanced engine efficiency.
By the 1950s, Shell fuel included a proven mileage ingredient and in July 1951, Shell Economy powered a Ferrari 275 to a Formula One victory. It was the first of many podium positions to come for Shell.
Shell ICA
Shell Ignition Control Additive (ICA) was launched around the world in 1955. The new gasoline additive was designed for smoother running of the engine and belonged to a global range of superior fuel alternatives.
Shell Mileage Marathon and Eco-Marathon
The Shell Mileage Marathon originated as a friendly wager between fellow scientists at a research lab in the US, in 1939. They wanted to settle an argument over whose car gave the best fuel mileage. The winner had to go the furthest on the least amount of fuel - the first achieved 50 miles (80.5km) on one gallon (3.8 litres) of fuel!
This small venture became an organised competition in 1977 and in 1985 the Mileage Marathon became the annual Shell Eco-Marathon.
Shell challenged student teams to design and build a vehicle that used less fuel with fewer emissions. The first Eco-Marathon recorded 680km on one litre of fuel. Since then, the fuel economy record has rapidly improved - the current record set in 2004, drove 3,410km on just one litre of fuel.
Project Guinness
In 2006 Shell launched a new fuel economy formula for gasoline in various countries worldwide. In the same year, they partnered up with fuel economy driving experts John and Helen Taylor and together they set a new Guinness World Record for the lowest round the world fuel consumption.
The couple drove over 28,000km in 78 days using 24 tanks of fuel containing the new Shell fuel economy formula, with a synthetic viscous friction improver.
New improved Shell Diesel
Today, Shell’s extensive research and testing has resulted in a new fuel economy formula for Shell Diesel. It is designed to ignite more quickly and keep engines cleaner - helping to give you extra miles at no extra cost.
Fuels of tomorrow
Shell is investing in technologies and technical partnerships that we hope will make us the leading provider of the next generation of fuel solutions. One example of fuels further in the future is Hydrogen. Shell is one of the only companies with hydrogen demonstration projects in: Washington DC, Amsterdam, Reykjavik, Luxembourg, Tokyo and shortly, Shanghai.
Our innovation commitment continues. Shell is constantly developing new and improved products to help customers go further…
Imagine where the future could take us…
