E TYPE PAVES WAY FOR SYNTHETIC FUEL
Low-drag racer acts as test bed for ‘futureproof ’ petrol
Synthetic fuels could be the future of sustainable classic motoring, if e orts by Uk-based specialist Coryton are successful.
The bespoke fuels provider is collaborating with the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) over research that aims to enable net-zero emissions across the classic sector and recently trialled net-zero-carbon fuel in a Jaguar E-type at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed.
Coryton’s ‘Sustain’ synthetic fuel is ethanol-free and has the potential to deliver net-zero emissions, as carbon released at the tailpipe is captured from the atmosphere during the fuel’s production.
Racing specialist, CKL Developments, trialled a blend of synthetic fuel with a ‘Low Drag’ E-type at Goodwood. Coryton matched the chemistry of existing racing fuel, providing 102 octane petrol that was boosted to 105 octane by the addition of a lead-free valve lubricant. The proportion of synthetic fuel that can be used is expected to increase as trials progress.
HCVA CEO, Garry Wilson, told Classic Car Weekly: ‘Our objective is for the classic sector to reach net zero by 2050 at the latest, hopefully well ahead of that. Electric cars are a solution, but not the solution.
'I don’t think we have to get into a Betamax versus VHS kind of debate over this – there’s a need for multiple ways forward.’
Coryton director, David Richardson, said: ‘Sustainable fuels can play a huge role in the future of historic and classic cars and it's fantastic to be starting to put some fuels to the test. We look forward to working with the HCVA and its members, including CKL Developments, to advance these fuels for the sector.’
The E-type is to appear at a display in Parliament demonstrating the range of carbon reduction options. Further trials of Coryton fuel are expected to involve an MGB, a Jaguar XK120 and another E-type. The firm will also provide synthetic fuels for all vehicles supporting the British Motor Show at Farnborough in August.
❚ coryton.com