Automotive

Re-refined oil keeps Aston Martin Vantage AMR Pro smooth (and clean)

Re-refined oil keeps Aston Martin Vantage AMR Pro smooth (and clean)
Aston Martin is using re-refined oil in the Vantage AMR Pro, seen here taking on the Goodwood Hillclimb
Aston Martin is using re-refined oil in the Vantage AMR Pro, seen here taking on the Goodwood Hillclimb
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The Nexcel oil cell can be removed in its entirety
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The Nexcel oil cell can be removed in its entirety 
Aston Martin is using re-refined oil in the Vantage AMR Pro
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Aston Martin is using re-refined oil in the Vantage AMR Pro 
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer (right) and Steve Goodier of Nexcel
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Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer (right) and Steve Goodier of Nexcel 
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer (right) and Steve Goodier of Nexcel
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Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer (right) and Steve Goodier of Nexcel 
Aston Martin is using re-refined oil in the Vantage AMR Pro, seen here taking on the Goodwood Hillclimb
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Aston Martin is using re-refined oil in the Vantage AMR Pro, seen here taking on the Goodwood Hillclimb
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Supercars aren't known for being friendly to the environment, but Aston Martin has used the Vantage AMR Pro to debut a more sustainable approach to re-using engine oil. A new active management system developed alongside Nexcel allows the hottest Vantage to lubricate itself with re-refined engine oil.

According to Aston Martin, the use of re-refined oil is possible thanks to the Nexcel oil management system. It's a self-contained cell that houses the oil and filter, hooked up to a dedicated electronic control unit (ECU). It communicates information about the oil level and quality to the main ECU using a standard connection, meaning the setup requires very little modification to existing engine designs.

The system was initially marketed as an easier, faster way to change the oil – rather than draining and refilling the oil, garages can simply slot a new oil management system into place – but it also brings other benefits. Because used oil is contained entirely within the cell, it doesn't get contaminated with used lubricant from other sources or cars in the same garage.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer (right) and Steve Goodier of Nexcel
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer (right) and Steve Goodier of Nexcel 

Once the cell has been removed from a car, it can be sent back to Nexcel for reprocessing. Not only can the cell be refurbished with a new filter and clean lining, the oil itself can be re-refined and used again. As you might imagine, that has huge environmental benefits.

"As much as one third of used engine oil is unaccounted for, and only a very small proportion of used oil is currently recovered and reused as lubricant," says Nexcel's sustainability director, John Ward-Zinski. "The performance of Aston Martin's Vantage AMR Pro demonstrates the opportunity provided by efficient capturing of used oil, and that re-refined oils can meet the extreme lubricant performance and durability requirements of modern internal combustion engines.

"Used oils collected from Nexcel-fitted vehicles can be segregated from other waste oil streams and contaminants, grouped by type, geography and even drive cycle, which eases the re-refinement process and leads to the production of higher quality base oils and improved yields when compared to used oils collected by traditional methods."

The AMR Pro was on show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend.

Source: Nexcel

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2 comments
2 comments
Buzzclick
That's a whole lot of pretentious crap. There aren't enough Aston Vantage AMR Pros to make even a little difference in oil re-refinement. If this was Ford or VW or Toyota doing this with their cars, then we can say a good effort is being made. I am surprised that AM is claiming to be eco-green, like so many other companies who try to boost their sales with dubious claims of being environmentally responsible.
Martin Hone
I agree, this won't make a scrap of difference. However, as a showcase to highlight the potential, then the association with AM is a good move. I can't see it being very cost effective until such time that the authorities make recycling used oil mandatory.