Headlines:

Powell / Telfer WIN Rally Trinidad International Stages with NP ULTRA TEC Jens pouring NP ULTRA TEC into the WRC ex-works Corolla German Mechanical Technician Jens Suhm, member of the technical  team for the WRC Corolla (driven by John Powell)  used ULTRA TEC 5W 50 in the car for the 2005 ULTRA/STAG  Trinidad International Stages Rally. The Team co-sponsored by ULTRA, poured  the synthetic motor oil on Friday 19th August at the Toyota compound a day before the rally was scheduled to begin. The oil as usual performed exceptionally well  under the harsh conditions of the grueling back to back days and night of the event and was a noticeable asset to the team in attaining their undisputed victory.   This is yet another event where ULTRA TEC  proved its unquestionable ENDURANCE.  Both John Powell and co-driver Nicholas Telfer had only good things to say about the oil stating "It performed very  well", "I only have good things to say" and that they "had no complaints". Nicholas Telfer went on to state that ULTRA TEC is of such high quality that the engine ran cooler throughout the race.  The oil temperature remained constant, allowing the team to push the vehicle as hard as they needed and not have to worry about over extending the vehicle.

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The new ULTRA era

On June 3 rd 2004 NP launched the following three brands of motor oil/lubricant:

• ULTRA DUTY

• ULTRA PRIEMIUM

• ULTRA TEC

NP ULTRA DUTY is an advanced diesel engine lubricant for high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 2004 exhaust emission standards and to surpass the performance demands of all previous lubrication categories. NP ULTRA DUTY S3 15W 40 is specifically engineered to sustain engine durability where exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) is used.

ULTRA PREMIUM is a superior gasoline engine oil. It is a high performance crankcase motor oil meeting the latest API Service Category SL. NP ULTRA PREMIUM 20W 50 is highly resistant to viscosity and thermal breakdown and allows for extended periods between oil changes.

ULTRA TEC is a new high-performance Synthetic motor oil that has been launched on the market on June 3 rd 2004. This oil provides ultimate wear protection at start-up and under high temperature conditions. It surpasses the requirements of the toughest engine tests. NP ULTRA TEC 5W 50 protects and preserves every gasoline engines in all cars new and old. It is completely compatible with all conventional and synthetic oils.

NP has adopted several marketing initiatives designed to increase usage and demonstrate the strength of the ULTRA brand. One such initiative is the re-entry into motor sport in Trinidad & Tobago. ULTRA is now used by several cars in the motor sport fraternity such as:

These high performance engines continue to perform exceptionally well using ULTRA motor oils. Consumers can now translate such winning performances as an endorsement of the ULTRA brand and be assured that it really gives Ultra protection and power in their vehicles.

Feedback from the trade as well as participants in motor sport, have shown that ULTRA has made a significant impact on an ever evolving market making it the forerunner in high performance motor oils. ULTRA will not only ensure that NP remains the market leader in the motor oil industry but will continue to set new and increased market trends resulting in continuous market growth.

Check out the brand new NP Ultra television ad!!!
Two 60-second video files are available for download:

1. NPultra60.mov - 2.2mb (Requires Quicktime)
2. NPultra60.mp4 - 4.8mb (Requires Windows Media Player with mpeg4)

NP Ultra - Hear the difference technology makes...

10 Most Frequently asked Questions about Unleaded Gasolene

1. WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE GASOLENES?
   "NP Premium Unleaded" and "NP Super Unleaded".
   
   
2. WHAT ARE THE PRICES FOR 'NP UNLEADED' FUELS AT THE PUMP?
   The prices remain the same. The "NP Premium Unleaded" is sold at the current price of Unleaded gasolene that is $3.00 per litre while the "NP Super Unleaded" will be sold at the price of Leaded Super gasolene, which is $2.70 per litre
   
   
3. I HAVE BEEN USING SUPER GASOLENE, WILL MY CAR OPERATE SATISFACTORILY ON UNLEADED GASOLENE?
   Yes, most of the popular models of cars on the local market can use Unleaded fuel without any modifications. These models can use Unleaded fuel with the exception of a few European and extremely high performance vehicles. It should be noted that the modern engine is designed to work with Unleaded fuel. Vintage cars, if operated at high speed, or made to carry heavy loads, may cause problems.
   
   
4. AS A MOTORIST, WILL I SAVE MONEY WHEN I SWITCH TO UNLEADED?
   The conversion to "NP Unleaded" gasolene has several benefits. Motorists can save money as Unleaded fuel reduces the need for frequent replacements of spark plugs, mufflers and other automobile hardware exposed to gasolene and its combustion products. Some Lead compounds attack engine metal resulting in corrosion. Unleaded gasolene reduces engine corrosion, ring wear, spark plug change etc. and by extension increases engine life.
   
   
5. WILL UNLEADED GASOLENE MAKE MY FUEL-INJECTED CAR PERFORM BETTER?
   Yes.
   Fuel injection controls efficient fuel use through sensors. These are affected and attacked by the lead deposits and gases. This would result in a loss in power and performance of the engine. The result can be a richer-than-normal air/fuel mixture, which wastes fuel, and money. Also deposits can cause hot spots, which can lead to pre-ignition. Using unleaded fuel eliminates lead deposits and the associated gases, allows your car to perform at its best and will save you money.
   
   
6. WILL THE "NP UNLEADED" FUELS REDUCE KNOCK OR PINKING?
   For an engine to work properly, the gasolene must burn in a controlled explosion at the right speed, when the spark plugs fire. If the burning is not controlled or the fuel burns before the spark plug fires, knock can occur. The main difference between Leaded and Unleaded is how the fuel deals with this combustion. Unleaded gasolene uses more stable components or other anti-knocks.
   
   The overwhelming majority of cars on the road today do not need an extremely high-octane gasolene to run efficiently. Octane ratings are a measure of the ability of gasolene to resist engine knock. If your car is not "knocking" using a higher-octane fuel will do absolutely nothing for you, but waste your money. You can determine what fuel is recommended for your vehicle by checking your owner's manual.
   
   
7. MY CAR HAS A CARBURETTOR, HOW WILL USING “NP UNLEADED” FUELS AFFECT IT?
   Most cars are designed to use Super Unleaded fuels. In hindsight, carburettors were an inefficient means to regulate the air/gas mix in engines; hence the change in modern engines to computerised fuel injectors to regulate this mix. Carburettors are sensitive to lead deposits and need regular maintenance and adjustment to attempt to keep performance high. Unfortunately, if your engine was not tuned properly excess deposits would form in the engine. These deposits cause pre-ignition or premature ignition of the gasolene during engine operation, and this creates "knock". As stated previously the use of a high-octane fuel can solve this problem. However because there is little or no lead in Unleaded gasolene there will be no lead deposits to affect the carburettor. You will save money, because you will spend less on tune-ups and adjustments.
   
   
8. WHAT ABOUT VINTAGE CARS?
   Antique cars are typically exposed to such light service that they are not expected to have any valve seat problems. In fact, they stand to benefit overall from a reduction in exhaust system corrosion, and oil contamination.
   
   
9. WHAT ABOUT OCTANE BOOSTERS (LEAD SUBSTITUTE ADDITIVES), SHOULD I USE ANY ALONG WITH "NP UNLEADED" FUELS?
   There are numerous additives on the market. These products are designed to provide a protective coating on valve seats and inhibit valve sink, when using Leaded fuel. These additives should not be needed by the general vehicular population. The technology and new materials have been available for over 30 years.
   
   
10. WHAT ABOUT MY LAWNMOWER, BOAT AND OTHER ENGINES?
    No special treatment is necessary for two-stroke cycle engines, such as lawnmowers. Small two stroke engines do not have poppet valves and actually benefit from using Unleaded gasolene. Two-cycle engines using Unleaded gasolene will operate without problem. The deposits on spark plugs and in combustion chamber deposits will be greatly reduced and performance will be improved. It should be noted that the current four-stroke cycle marine engines are designed for Unleaded gasolene. However, as with any equipment, recommendations in your Owner's Manual should be followed.

TriniTuner.com and Zorce Magazine take a tour of the NP Head Office

Looking at the buildings from the highway that comprise the headquarters of the Trinidad & Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company (what a mouthful, NP is so much easier) you can easily pass by thinking "wonder what really happens there?" We can assure there is plenty that does.

Beyond the deceptively "smallish" looking front, lies a whole world of pressurized piping, massive holding tanks, a port(!) and enough barrels to start next year's entire crop of steelpan orchestras. Here, Trinidad's oil is blended, tested, bottled, marketed and eventually sold to us regular folks... (or are we only 'unleaded' these days?).

With new plans being implemented for the phasing out of leaded fuels we decided to visit the place where our nation gets blended lubricants and oils and retail fuel. Base oils and additives are transported in from Petrotrin, regional suppliers and multinational companies and put together right here in Trinidad.

Our oils and fuels are tested for quality and consistency on a level beyond what we expected as visiting Zorcers. They test on the ship, they test in the piping, they test in the tanks, they test when they fill a truck or bottle, they even do external testing... Let's just say they've got it covered.

Thankfully at least, I don't believe any animal testing is involved though... We came, we talked and we asked for freebies. Instead, we got to see the process of Base Oils coming off the ship, into the tanks, into the bottling plant, ooh-ing and ahh-ing all the way. Amazing, and by the way, no one gets freebies, not even staff... shucks! Of course through all this, cellphones had to be turned off due to the signal waves' ability to ignite concentrated fumes. Yes. That can happen. That's why you should take your cell off at the gas station– we're not making this up.

Naturally, we spent the most time at the lab, well almost, since the rain held us back at the barrelmaker's spot (a most informative guy). At the lab, we wanted to hear their views on octane, viscousity, diesel fuel quality, AV gas and what we should and shouldn't add to the fuels we buy at the gas station. Stay Tuned to this section as we bring you more from NP.