Story by: Gunjan D. Bidani
Transferring race track technology usable for Indian roads, Shell Lubricants India has launched Advance AX7, a semi-synthetic, premium 4-stroke motorcycle engine oil. Celebrated MotoGP Rider of the (Alma) Pramac Racing Team, Danilo Petrucci, along with Mansi Tripathy, Country Head, Shell Lubricants India, unveiled the new product from Shell’s portfolio.
The company claims that the Advance AX7 enhances the mileage of the motorcycle by 3 km/l as compared to a premium mineral oil. Equipped with Active Cleansing Technology, Shell promises more efficiency and better protection for the engine. Apart from aiding the longer life of all critical parts running in the engine, this oil does not degrade even at high temperatures. Shell Advance is made from pure and clear base oil, combining with a motorcycle-specific additive pack with unique Active Cleaning Technology. It helps to cleanse and keep the engine cleaner. A clean motorcycle engine helps provide better efficiency, performance and protection.
About the increasing enthusiasm among the youth to ride higher capacity bikes, Petrucci said, “Using the right lubricant is critical in ensuring the engine health of such bikes. Shell’s involvement in premier-class motorcycle racing has helped develop the Shell Advance lubricant range for the road. With the Advance range of engine oils, bikers globally can benefit from the cutting-edge technology developed on the track. The transfer of knowledge gained from this experience to Shell’s products is central to the Technical Partnership with Ducati, as MotoGP provides the most extreme test bed for Shell’s products. If it’s good for MotoGP, it works even better on roads.”
Tripathy said that “the two-wheeler engine oil market in India is consistently growing at a healthy CAGR of 7.2 per cent as per a Kline & Company 2017 report. In line with this growth, we are committed to innovating to meet the on-road challenges of bikers, and even to surpass their expectations. With the Shell Advance AX7 10W-30, we want to focus on providing powerful and exhilarating riding experiences to bikers.”
Gareth Flood, Chief Marketing Officer, Shell Lubricants India, said, “The Indian consumers are becoming increasingly passionate about their bikes and are avid followers of global racing series such as Moto GP. By bringing a MotoGP rider to India for launching the AX7 10W-30, we are attempting to engage more closely with our consumers and offer products according to changing market dynamics and trends. Shell Advance is central to powering Ducati bikes on the track in extremely testing environments and this itself is a testament to its superior on-road performance.”
The relationship with Ducati began in 1999, supporting Ducati Corse in the World Superbike Championship, before joining forces to contest the MotoGP World Championship together. The partnership has since stormed to seven Riders’ World Titles in MotoGP (2007) and the World Superbike Championship (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008), amassing over 150 race wins. Shell claims that Ducati not only uses Shell products on the track, but also chooses Shell Advance Ultra motorcycle oil as the first fill for every Ducati road bike that leaves its factory.
