Castrol India Limited has launched its latest range of Castrol MAGNATEC, which includes a low viscosity engine oil, 0W-16, for retail aftermarkets, and the all-new Castrol MAGNATEC SUV for sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Following the implementation of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards in India on April 1, 2020, more cars and SUVs are being fitted with aftertreatment devices such as diesel/gasoline particulate filters (DPF/GPF). Aftertreatment devices can be sensitive to ash of burned metals and some chemicals found in fuels and lubricants such as sulphur and phosphorus.

BS-VI is patterned after the European Union’s latest emission standards Euro 6, the emission standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and Euro VI, the emission standards for heavy-duty diesel engines, which generally includes lorries and buses.

Thus, the latest light-duty engine oil specifications released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, or ACEA, included two new categories. One is A7/B7-21 for High Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur (SAPS), and the other is for Lower SAPS, C6-21. “C” categories are newer categories developed for vehicles with aftertreatment devices. Since 2008, cars in Europe started having aftertreatment devices. The ACEA C2 and C3 categories currently represent the largest engine oil markets in Europe.

The new Castrol MAGNATEC has reduced SAPS content, is BS-VI ready and meets ACEA C2 and C3 engine oil specifications, according to Castrol India.

The new range of Castrol MAGNATEC will be available in four viscosity grades: 0W-16, 0W-20, 5W-30 and 5W-40, to meet OEMs recommendations for lower viscosity grades, more fuel-efficient, engine oils such 0W or 5W. These engine oils were formulated based on Castrol’s unique DUALOCK technology that reduces engine wear by 50% (based on the Sequence IVA engine test, which measures an engine oil’s ability to inhibit camshaft wear, and CEC OM646LA engine wear test).

“Castrol has always strived to deliver best-in-class products that provide unmatched performance and protection to vehicles. The transition to BS-VI emission norms required refreshed offerings of lubricants with lower SAPS and thinner grades,” said Jaya Jamrani, Castrol India’s vice president of Marketing.

“With our all-new MAGNATEC range, Castrol has led the industry move towards BS-VI compatible lubricants. The new, fully synthetic Castrol MAGNATEC range is designed for BS-VI engines, but is also backward compatible with many older applications,” Jamrani added.