FIA WTCC Confirm 2G Bio-Fuel in 2009

It is now official. The 2009 edition of the FIA World Touring Car Championship will be much eco-friendlier as compared to the past seasons, as all cars will be running on second generation bio-fuel supplied by PANTA. Although the intention to switch to bio-fuel in 2009 is no news for WTCC fans – as the FIA appointed PANTA from as early as November 2008 – the final tests on the new generation fuel were completed.

Teams have tested the newly-composed bio-fuel during testing sessions throughout the winter. Luca Perani, representative of PANTA Racing, revealed the new formula for both petrol and diesel bio-fuels, underlining the importance of introducing it into the series in order to later benefit the production models.

“The E10 choice was dictated by the need to find a compromise between the aims of reducing the emissions and preserving the existing cars. Bio-fuels are far more aggressive with tanks, pipes and injectors, that need to be changed when their percentage is increased; with the E10 the current cars don't need any changes,” said Perani.

As compared to the first generation bio-ethanol – made from sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats – the 2G is manufactured from industrial wastes of sugar processing. The petrol bio-fuel is composed by 10% 2G bio-ethanol and 90% unleaded fuel, while diesel bio-fuel is made from 10% vegetable bio-ethanol (from rape oil) and 90% regular diesel. Perani explained how the second generation bio-ethanol will actually work for the WTCC cars in 2009.

“Ethanol contains oxygen, which helps regular petrol to burn more cleanly and completely. The use of E10 bio-fuel reduces petroleum use by 6.3 percent and also reduces harmful emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, exhaust volatile organic compounds and ozone-forming pollutants,” concluded Perani.

The new type of bio-fuel is expected to be used in production cars also, especially since the S2000 models competing in the FIA WTCC are closely derived from road cars available to the large public in dealerships worldwide.