Performance and Combustion Characteristics of Coryton SUSTAIN Classic Super 80 Carbon-Neutral Fuel Versus E95 in a 1980s Fiat 500 Engine

2026-37-0033

To be published on 06/09/2026

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Abstract
Content
The energy transition requires a rapid reduction in the use of fossil fuels, whose combustion generates substantial greenhouse-gas emissions. In Europe, transport alone accounts for roughly a quarter of total greenhouse-gas emissions, with road transport being the predominant component. In this context, the use of biofuels has emerged as a potential solution for limiting further increases in CO₂ emissions. However, most studies available in the literature evaluate the performance of these fuels on modern engines, while their effects on historic carburetted engines remain largely unexplored. This is particularly significant given the large fleet of historic vehicles across Europe, supported by a long-standing tradition of vehicle preservation, associations, and classic car collectors. The main historic-vehicle federations advise caution and the use of low-ethanol formulations so as not to damage elastomers, fuel tanks, and carburettor float bowls. For this reason, a few suppliers have developed fuels specifically for classic vehicles. Among this minority, in 2023 Coryton Advanced Fuels introduced the SUSTAIN Classic line, including the Super 80 variant. In the present study, the performance, fuel consumption, and emissions of an air-cooled, four-stroke Fiat 500 engine fueled with commercial RON 95 gasoline and Coryton SUSTAIN Classic Super 80 were analyzed. A first test comprised a complete sweep from 1000 to 5000 RPM and a second test evaluated four different main jets at maximum torque and maximum power. To evaluate the performances, the engine was installed on a test bench equipped with a torque meter. Static pressure and temperature sensors were employed to characterize the engine operating conditions, while a dynamic pressure sensor installed in the combustion chamber was used to analyze the combustion characteristics. Exhaust emissions were also measured using a gas analyzer, allowing for a detailed and accurate comparison of the effects associated with the use of the two fuels.
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Citation
Tarchiani, M., Fossati, F., Romani, L., Ferrara, G., et al., "Performance and Combustion Characteristics of Coryton SUSTAIN Classic Super 80 Carbon-Neutral Fuel Versus E95 in a 1980s Fiat 500 Engine," CO2 Reduction for Transportation Systems Conference, Turin, Italy, June 9, 2026, .
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Publisher
Published
To be published on Jun 9, 2026
Product Code
2026-37-0033
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English