The Garage 353

NEWS
Castrol launches new engine
oil performance standard
for hybrid cars
Castrol’s HYSPEC standard is designed
to ensure Castrol’s oils for hybrid cars
provide exceptional performance
when faced with challenges unique
to hybrid powertrains
Castrol has launched HYSPEC, its new
technical quality standard for the company’s
expanding range of engine oils for hybrid
vehicles. HYSPEC is a technical benchmark
to measure the performance of Castrol’s
engine oils for hybrids to ensure they
provide exceptional performance when
faced with the unique challenges associated
with the workings of modern hybrid
powertrains.
The launch of Castrol’s HYSPEC standard
comes at a time when the demand for
hybrid technology continues to grow – by
2025, a quarter of cars sold globally are
expected to have a hybrid powertrain1.
Castrol’s HYSPEC standard is a first-of-itskind
in the industry for hybrid vehicles and
will support both car workshops and their
customers in identifying the most suitable
engine oil for their hybrid car.
While Castrol’s portfolio already
includes many hybrid-ready engine oils,
those badged with the new HYSPEC logo
have been specifically tested against the
HYSPEC standard to offer strong resistance,
protected switching, and fuel economy2.
These products also demonstrate at least
25%3 benefit against the HYSPEC standard,
across the critical areas of contaminants,
engine intermittency and system efficiency.
Hybrid tech creates challenging
operating conditions
The switch between an internal combustion
engine (ICE) and electric motor challenges
engine oil in three key areas: increased
contamination due to cooler engine
temperatures; reduced performance and
protection due to engine intermittency;
and a reduction in system efficiency due to
cooler running and lower oil temperatures.
Switching between an electric motor
and ICE can cause hybrid engines to run
at cooler temperatures, which can lead
to water and fuel build-up in the oil. This
can disrupt the effectiveness of some
oils and cause engine deterioration. The
switching between two power sources also
means hybrid engines can operate at lower
speeds, and then ramp up to high engine
speeds quickly. Some oils can’t keep up,
resulting in reduced engine performance
and protection. Cooler running and lower
oil temperatures can also lead to reduced
engine efficiency and in turn, poorer fuel
efficiency and charging of the battery.
Comprehensive research and
development process
Castrol has spent over 25 years researching,
testing, and reporting on the characteristics
of hybrids, as well as utilising this expertise
to ensure its engine oils for hybrids deliver
against the highest technical parameters
and meet its HYSPEC standard. Castrol
conducted a year-long road trial using mild,
full, and plug-in hybrids to capture over two
billion pieces of data. Combined, the cars
travelled over 300,000 kms, for more than
7,000 hours – the equivalent of driving 24/7
for more than 42 weeks!
Castrol has also worked closely with
some vehicle manufacturers to develop
hybrid testing techniques to enable them
to constantly refine their vehicles and
improve performance. In addition, Castrol
has worked closely with motorsport teams
including the BWT Alpine F1® Team and
Ford M-Sport WRC to test its engine oils
under the toughest conditions.
To validate its findings, Castrol
commissioned a third-party consultancy
and external experts to conduct research
with service centres, fleet operators and
car owners to deliver a wider perspective
on global markets.
To learn more about HYSPEC and
Castrol’s range of engine oils for hybrids,
please visit: HYSPEC – CASTROL’S HYBRID
PERFORMANCE STANDARD | HOME
14 THE GARAGE
14,News Castrol Hyspec.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:25