Classic cars: there is a future with Synfuels
PROBLEM-FREE USE Amag Classic and Empa have carried out a detailed study on the compatibility of synthetic petrol in classic cars. The results are consistently positive.
For more than a year, Amag Classic and Empa Dübendorf tested engine components of classic cars and conducted road tests with synthetic petrol. The result: even classic cars can be run on it in a climate-friendly way. The Amag Group has held a stake in the Swiss company Synhelion for several years. This company has developed a technology with which solar fuels can be produced using solar heat. Synthetic fuels are a promising approach to operating vehicles with combustion engines in a climate-friendly way in the future.
Scientifically sound investigation
Dino Graf, who is also responsible for the Classic division at Amag: "It was clear to us that the majority of owners of valuable classic cars would not embark on adventures with unexplored fuel."
Now the first scientifically sound study carried out in Switzerland shows that the use of synfuels is also possible without any problems in the engines of classic and vintage cars. This conclusion is the result of extensive trials and tests carried out by Empa together with Amag and Motorex AG.
Hardly any differences were found
In the test series, fossil 98-octane fuel was compared with a biosynthetic 98-octane petrol produced from renewable methanol over a period of more than twelve months. The test vehicles were a 1978 VW Golf with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a Chrysler Valiant with a 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine from 1971, each of which covered around 3000 test kilometers. Among other things, various seals, carburetors, fuel sensors, fuel hoses and plastic parts such as carburetor floats, fuel filters and fuel caps were examined.
There were no disadvantages when using the biogenic synthetic fuel. The exhaust emissions with biosynthetic gasoline also do not differ from those with the fossil fuel. Finally, the results with both fuels show no measurable differences in either volumetric or energy consumption. A difference in performance could not be determined either.
No changes to the components
Christian Bach, Head of the Vehicle Drive Systems department at Empa: "In theory, it was to be expected that classic vehicles with old engines would also work with synfuels. But sometimes practice has one or two surprises in store. Fortunately, there were no surprises here for the most part. We did not notice any relevant changes in the components, performance or exhaust emissions."
Graf added: "I hope that this scientific experiment will motivate classic car fans to use Synfuel for their vehicles when it becomes available in the coming years. We will be taking delivery of the first supplies of solar fuel from Synhelion this year and using it for our classic cars. Because as of today we know: it works!"
