A competition has begun in China to test the performance of Shell’s flagship motor lube.
Shell China has begun a nationwide competition to test the performance of Helix Ultra, as well as the mettle of participants. Drivers will drive Helix-filled cars in three separate challenges to put the premium product through its paces.
The three “missions” will be in the form of escaping the inner city; long distance off-road driving and driving in extreme conditions. Each poses its own set of unique challenges to the both drivers and engines.
The inner city task will see drivers navigate thick congestion during peak hours and escape the city as quickly as possible. Shell will track the wear on the engine and overall gasoline consumption to assess the efficacy of Helix Ultra.
During the off-road trek, competitors will brave mountains, hills, winding roads and rough terrain, while Shell will examine the cleaning power of Helix Ultra on oxidisation resistance.
The third, final and most gruelling task will be putting the engines through extreme temperatures. While the drivers themselves won’t have to motor over to Siberia, where temperatures can fall to as low as –72*C, or to Taklaman where they can reach 67.2*C, Shell, in conjunction with Ferrari, have developed special low temp labs to see if Helix Ultra is up to the challenge.
The winners of the competition will be flown to South Africa to compete in the final leg of the extreme driving element of competition in November 2013.