BP Ultimate – best fuel we’ve ever offered in NZ

19 May 2005

BP Ultimate – The best fuel we’ve ever offered in New Zealand.

BP New Zealand today announced it is introducing a new formulation of its 98 octane fuel, BP Ultimate.

BP Ultimate is designed for people who want to get the best from their car. The new formulation has been developed to allow more vehicles to benefit from BP Ultimate’s performance enhancing features, so that more drivers can enjoy a rewarding driving experience.

BP General Manager, Peter Griffiths, said the new fuel had been created to meet the specific demands of BP’s customers.

“BP Ultimate is a powerful, 98 octane unleaded fuel. The improved formulation now has even better engine cleaning properties than before. BP Ultimate reduces engine friction and is the best fuel we currently offer in Australasia.

“We have also invested significantly in our infrastructure so that Ultimate will be available at more sites around New Zealand starting from Monday May 23rd. From June it will be available in the South Island for the first time,” he said.

As part of an intensive product development period for the new formulation, BP examined a number of cars in New Zealand across a variety of models and ages from all major motor manufacturers. Results showed that many vehicles running on regular unleaded fuel had significant levels of carbon deposits in the engine, which can reduce a vehicle’s engine performance.

BP Ultimate now has four times the cleaning power of regular unleaded fuel. Independent tests show that, with continuous use, BP Ultimate can help keep an engine virtually as clean as when it was new. Our tests in New Zealand have shown that it also has the ability to remove up to 61 per cent of existing intake system deposits caused by previous use of regular unleaded fuel.

“BP Ultimate helps prevent new engines from clogging up with performance robbing deposits" said Barry Blackett, BP Technical Manager.

“Over time, BP Ultimate’s improved cleaning power almost eliminates non carbonised deposits in older vehicle engines to help them work more efficiently.”

BP Ultimate was first launched in New Zealand in 2000. However the new and improved formulation has even greater benefits for drivers while continuing to offer low levels of sulphur and benzene.

“Our tests have shown that BP Ultimate can increase power in modern performance cars. In addition, older engines can benefit from a higher octane fuel by protecting against engine stress” said Mr Blackett.

BP Ultimate is also formulated to reduce friction inside the engine, resulting in slightly less internal energy losses and providing additional protection against wear.

BP Ultimate’s combination of high octane, fuel inlet system cleaning and friction reduction properties help deliver smoother acceleration, and a rewarding drive.

BP Ultimate is designed to benefit a wide range of vehicles and will be supported by an extensive communication campaign to introduce these benefits to consumers.

David Williams, BP Ultimate Manager said “BP Ultimate is formulated to offer a cleaner engine, high octane and smoother acceleration.

"We sum it up as very clean, very powerful."

ENDS

BP Ultimate Question and Answer Sheet

19 May 2005

BP Ultimate – The best fuel we’ve ever offered in New Zealand.

What is BP Ultimate?

BP Ultimate is the name of BP’s reformulated 98 octane unleaded fuel – its new formulation means it is the best fuel we’ve ever offered in Australasia.

What is so special about it?

BP Ultimate is formulated to deliver outstanding engine cleanliness and, in combination with its high octane, offers smoother acceleration and better responsiveness than most other fuels.

We sum it up as ‘very clean, very powerful’.

How does it work?

Firstly, BP Ultimate contains four times the cleaning power of regular unleaded fuel, and our tests in New Zealand show that it can remove up to 61 per cent of intake system deposits.

This new level of engine cleaning performance not only keeps an engine virtually as clean as when it was new, but can also remove intake system deposits caused by previous use of regular unleaded fuel. Because BP Ultimate cleans your engine as you drive, your engine runs more smoothly and more efficiently.

Secondly, BP Ultimate also has a higher octane rating compared to regular fuels. It releases energy more efficiently than lower octane fuels, placing less stress on the engine.

Thirdly, performance is further enhanced because BP Ultimate actually reduces friction in the engine, providing additional protection against wear.

Where do all the engine deposits go?

BP Ultimate is formulated to remove existing inlet system deposits which are subsequently burned in the engine.

Why is the product high in octane?

High octane fuels allow are designed to help high performance vehicles deliver maximum performance and many older cars often have a demand for high octane to work as designed.

Can BP prove its claims?

Of course. We undertook a rigorous testing programme here and in the UK at our specialist testing facility, Pangbourne. For example, we conducted extensive independent vehicle tests as part of the product development and proving programme, using vehicles from all major vehicle manufacturers represented in New Zealand. These include vehicle models from BMW, Daihatsu, Ford, Holden, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota.

Our tests clearly show that BP’s improved Ultimate formulation performs better than most other regular unleaded fuel on the market.

How will BP Ultimate affect performance in New Zealand vehicles?

BP Ultimate is designed to benefit a wide range of vehicles through its revised formulation so you don’t have to drive a sports car to get benefits from BP Ultimate. Specifically older vehicles often show an increased demand for octane so these cars, as well as higher performance vehicles, should benefit from the higher octane level.

Older cars that need leaded fuel can still use BP Ultimate providing that they continue to use the existing lead replacement additive as used previously.

Like any unleaded fuel, BP Ultimate is fully compatible with all types of petrol engines from sports cars to lawn-mowers.

How quickly will I see a difference?

BP Ultimate starts working straight away and there will be immediate improvements in some cars. However, best results are achieved with continuous use.

How much better is this fuel than the original Ultimate?

BP Ultimate has been available in New Zealand since December 2000; however this is an improved formulation with even greater benefits. The main difference is that it has now been formulated to deliver outstanding engine cleanliness and to reduce engine friction.

BP Ultimate’s combination of high octane, powerful fuel inlet system cleaning and friction reduction properties will help deliver smoother acceleration and a more rewarding drive.

The exact details of the formulation are confidential but we can state that this is the best fuel that we currently offer in Australasia.

Where will BP Ultimate be available?

We are increasing the availability of BP Ultimate from its current 43 sites to 107 sites across our network. It will be available in the South Island for the first time, meaning customers will now benefit from being able to purchase BP Ultimate nationally.

Does this fuel have any environmental benefit?

We guarantee a maximum of 50 ppm sulphur, and one per cent benzene.

Sulphur content can vary in regular fuels from low to high. BP Ultimate is guaranteed to contain less than 50ppm sulphur.

Will people be able to save money in the long run?

As well as advanced performance, BP Ultimate can help clean a vehicle's engine to give smoother, more reliable and efficient engine performance, and lower wear and tear which, over time, should lead to lower running costs and maintenance bills.

Do people really want this type of fuel?

BP Ultimate is designed for people who want the best for their car and are prepared to pay a little more for it. We have already had a strong consumer response to Ultimate through its initial introduction. Users have shown strong loyalty to the product because of its performance. We expect this loyalty will be strengthened as customers benefit from the new formula.

Did you test the fuel’s performance in New Zealand?

Yes. A significant amount of independent testing was conducted in New Zealand. We tested BP Ultimate’s impact on acceleration, responsiveness and engine cleanliness.

For further information please contact BP’s technical manager on 0800-800 027

How much has BP invested in developing this fuel?

Creating a fuel with the extensive benefits of BP Ultimate required innovative thinking and a multi-million dollar research and development effort. We think our customers will believe it was well worthwhile!

We already know Ultimate has a strong following in New Zealand. The new and improved formula is a further investment in our premium fuel brand.

How does this fuel compare to others on the market?

Ultimate is specially manufactured by BP to a very high specification. There may be fuels where some of the properties are similar but, overall, we believe there are few fuels that match Ultimate for its wide range of benefits.

Where does this fuel come from?

It is manufactured at one of BP’s refineries in Australia and imported especially into New Zealand.

How is BP promoting Ultimate?

The newly launched branding will be supported by an extensive print, TV, radio and outdoor advertising campaign starting in July. This will be the first major campaign undertaken by BP to support the Ultimate brand.

Are cars in New Zealand really dirty?

We tested 25 cars of different makes and models, of all ages and engine sizes, and with different mileages to try and understand the typical level of intake system deposits in vehicles representative of the New Zealand market. All independent tests were carried out locally in Wellington, New Zealand.

We can confirm that of the cars tested deposits of varying levels were found.

What do you mean by reduced friction?

There are many moving metal surfaces in an engine which require lubrication. BP Ultimate has been especially formulated to work together with the engine oil, over time, to improve the engine's frictional characteristics. BP Ultimate can also reach areas in the engine that oil cannot reach easily, such as the injector pump, and also provide frictional benefits in that way. Reduced friction means a more efficient engine.

What benefits are achieved by reducing friction?

Reducing engine friction allows more of the fuel energy to be converted into useful mechanical output, leading to improved performance.

What do you mean by cleaner engine?

Cleaner engine defines the level of cleanliness that BP Ultimate can deliver to your vehicle’s fuel inlet system. It not only keeps an engine as clean as when it was new but it also has the ability to remove inlet system deposits. Because it cleans your engine as you drive, your engine runs more smoothly and more efficiently.

What do you mean by very powerful?

BP Ultimate has high octane, advanced cleaning properties and friction reduction properties. If your vehicle is in good condition, BP Ultimate will help optimise its performance.

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