An Ode to High-Octane

In the world of high-performance cars, there are a few things you need to get right. An engine — obviously. Wheels — preferably big, shiny ones. And, of course, petrol. Not just any petrol, mind you. I’m talking about the stuff that supposedly gives you an ‘extra edge’, makes your car go ‘faster’, cleaner’, ‘harder’, and all the other nonsense they put in adverts to make us think we’re driving fighter jets instead of cars.

This brings us to the subject of today’s exploration: premium fuels. Specifically, the so-called titans of the petrol pump world — Esso Supreme, BP Ultimate, Tesco Momentum, and Shell V-Power. Each has its claims, its slogans, and its secret ingredients, which may or may not involve unicorn tears.

Let’s get one thing straight before we get carried away by these promises. We’re talking about RON here. That’s not the guy who invented it; it stands for Research Octane Number. Simply put, this RON thing is like the petrol’s IQ. The higher the RON, the better it supposedly resists knocking or pre-ignition — the bane of any engine’s existence. High RON fuels are smoother, faster-burning, and ideal for making engines do what they do best — make loud noises and go fast.

And that brings us to our four contenders. Let’s break them down, one pump at a time. Oh, and we should say that we aren’t affiliated with any of these fuels or companies, this is purely for information and entertainment.

Esso Supreme+ 99: The Reliable Suit-and-Tie

First up, Esso Supreme+ 99. This is the premium offering from a company that’s been around long enough to have supplied fuel to Noah’s Ark. With a hefty 99 RON, Esso Supreme+ promises to deliver smooth performance, minimal engine knocking, and, of course, a little more oomph when you put your foot down. They also claim it has a complex blend of detergents to keep your engine squeaky clean, as if you’re running a washing machine, not a V8.

But what’s it like? Well, Esso Supreme is like the office guy who wears a suit every day and never forgets his tie. Reliable? Yes. Exciting? Well, not really. It’s premium, yes, but it’s not going to throw you back in your seat or make you feel like Lewis Hamilton. Esso Supreme+ is like a Labrador in a bow tie — polite, well-groomed, and thoroughly adequate, but it won’t be starting any revolutions.

The good thing? It’s consistent. Your car will purr with contentment, and you’ll probably get a slight bump in performance, but in the end, you’re not really left with a story to tell. It’s premium, but only just.

BP Ultimate 97: The Caretaker Fuel

Now, let’s talk about BP Ultimate, the friend who doesn’t drink but promises to be the designated driver. I’ll get straight to it: BP Ultimate has 97 RON. Yes, that’s right, a full two points lower than the rest of these premium fuels. It’s like showing up at a black-tie gala in a sweater. Sure, it’ll do the job, but it’s not quite what you were hoping for.

But, you see, BP’s game isn’t about brute power. They’ve gone for a different angle here. BP Ultimate is packed with additives that are supposed to keep your engine ‘clean’, as if petrol needs to be put through a wash cycle. According to BP, their Ultimate 97 formula actively works to scrub out nasty carbon deposits in your engine, like a magical broomstick for your cylinders. Great if you’re a neat freak about your engine, but is it really what we’re after?

On the road, BP Ultimate is smooth, polite, and just a tad underwhelming. Think of it as the kale smoothie of premium fuels. You know it’s good for you, but wouldn’t you rather have something a bit more exciting? If you’re driving a Honda Civic and want it to last until the next ice age, then yes, BP Ultimate is your best friend, but for those of us who want to actually have fun, 97 RON just feels a bit… limp.

Tesco Momentum 99: The Cheap Thrill

Ah, Tesco Momentum, the dark horse of the premium fuel world. Momentum 99 has, you guessed it, a 99 RON rating, just like Esso Supreme and Shell V-Power. But here’s the thing: it’s Tesco — the place you go for a bargain on tinned beans and maybe a plastic plant, not high-octane fuel. Yet here it is, sitting proudly at the pump, promising big performance and high RON numbers, all for less money than the other big names.

The secret to Tesco Momentum’s appeal is, of course, the price. It’s typically a few pence cheaper per litre than its competitors, which is impressive considering it has the same 99 RON level as Shell and Esso. But there’s a catch. Tesco petrol stations aren’t exactly the busiest. That means their premium petrol doesn’t move as fast as the more popular brands, and there’s a good chance that the Momentum 99 you’re putting in your car has been sitting in the underground tanks, quietly ageing like a forgotten bottle of sherry at the back of your gran’s cupboard.

Now, when it’s fresh, Tesco Momentum is actually pretty good. It’ll give your engine a nice boost, and you’ll feel the same thrill you get from the other high-RON fuels, but on those days when the fuel’s been resting too long, it feels a bit stale, like yesterday’s newspaper. You can almost hear your engine say, “Really? We’re doing this?”.

To sum up, Tesco Momentum is the petrol equivalent of buying a fast food meal on a Monday afternoon. Cheap? Absolutely. Convenient? Yes. But there’s just a small chance that it’s been sitting around a tad too long.

Shell V-Power: The Diva Fuel

And finally, we come to Shell V-Power, the glamorous, prancing pony of the petrol world. With its 99 RON and flashy red branding, Shell V-Power is the petrol equivalent of a pop star: loud, a bit in-your-face, and very proud of itself. Shell’s marketing folks will happily tell you that V-Power is derived from the same technology they use in Formula 1, which sounds very impressive until you remember that F1 cars get rebuilt after every race. Try doing that to your Volkswagen Golf.

But let’s give credit where it’s due. Shell V-Power is excellent. Fill your tank with this stuff, and you can genuinely feel a difference. Your engine sounds a bit more alive, and the throttle response is a bit sharper. It’s like your car has had a double espresso and is ready to hit the road with a newfound enthusiasm. Shell V-Power actually lives up to its high-performance promises, and you’ll feel it with every press of the accelerator.

On the downside, you’ll pay for it. V-Power is often the most expensive at the pump, and there’s a reason for that. It’s the premium choice for those who want the very best and are willing to part with a little more cash. But for all its pomp and bravado, it delivers, and if you’re looking to wring every last bit of performance out of your car, this is the fuel to use.

The Verdict

So, there we have it, four very different takes on the same mission: high-octane, premium petrol that’s supposed to give us more power, better performance, and an extra smidge of driving satisfaction.

If you want reliable, steady performance without a fuss, Esso Supreme is a safe bet. It’s smooth, reliable, and will keep your engine happy without any gimmicks or thrills. It’s the middle-of-the-road choice that won’t let you down, but also won’t leave you grinning.

BP Ultimate, with its 97 RON, is the option for the health-conscious driver. It’s cleaner and friendlier to your engine but lacks the raw power of the higher RON fuels. If you’re here for longevity and engine health, BP Ultimate has your back, but it’s not exactly the stuff of adrenaline-fueled dreams.

Tesco Momentum 99 is the budget-friendly rebel. When fresh, it’s practically as good as the top-shelf brands and gives your car that extra punch. But if it’s been sitting around for too long, you’re just not going to get the best experience. It’s a gamble, really, but if you’re feeling thrifty, it’s worth a go.

And finally, Shell V-Power. The flashy, expensive one that actually delivers on its promises. It’s the fuel for those who want the best, who live for the roar of the engine, and who aren’t afraid to pay a little extra for the thrill. Yes, it’s over the top, but isn’t that the point? Just remember to bring your wallet.

So now that we’ve sorted out the fuel debacle, it’s time for the next experiment in the ongoing saga of “Will This Make My Car Better, or Am I Just Throwing Money Into the Abyss?”. Next week, I’m off to the Pirelli Performance Centre in Burton-On-Trent, which, if you’ve never been, is basically the tyre world’s equivalent of Willy Wonka’s factory.

This time, we’re fitting a set of winter tyres to a 992 GT3. Yes, you heard that right. a fire-breathing, track-hungry Porsche 911 with tyres meant for snow and ice. Why? Because, apparently, that’s a thing people do now. Is it a brilliant idea, or have I finally gone mad? We’ll find out. Keep an eye out for a write-up next week. It might just change your mind, or confirm the rumours about me.

Written by: Paul Pearce