Shell V-Power Partners with Top Tuner to Create Power-Packed Truck
Ireson Creation to Debut at Hot Import Nights
Shell Oil Products US, marketer of the no. 1 selling gasoline brand in the U.S., has teamed up with top import tuner Paul Ireson to complete his latest project, a customized Mini Truck. Set to debut at the Los Angeles Hot Import Nights event on August 19, the truck will feature a power-to-weight ratio comparable to a Formula One car, weighing a mere 1,800 lbs and boasting more than 1,100 HP.
"I've always had a passion for tuning Minis but wanted to take it to a higher level by focusing on under-the-hood enhancements," said Ireson. "Because this Mini Truck packs a lot of power and is built for race-quality performance, it's natural to use a premium, TOP TIER gasoline like Shell V-Power. All gasolines are not the same and after putting this much effort into the truck's performance, it would be a sin to power the engine with anything less."
With the exception of the frame, Ireson has touched, modified and customized every element of the Mini Truck, including the addition of two identical 500 horsepower Honda V-Tec motors - one in the regular engine compartment and one in the bed of the truck. The truck features a custom hand made body kit, including ported brake cooling air intakes, and a cantilever suspension system similar to what Formula One race cars use. A remote hydraulic gull wing driver door finishes off the body, complete with a 15-inch T.V. screen.
"Shell V-Power actively cleans the critical engine parts that tuners spend so much time and money on, specifically the intake valves and fuel injectors," said Karen Wildman, Brand and Communications Manager for Shell Oil Products US. "It's with great pleasure that we support auto enthusiasts, like Paul Ireson, who are passionate about their vehicles and the products they use."
A native of England, Paul Ireson arrived in the United States in 1994 and has focused his attention on building Mini Coopers that appeal to the tuner market. Ireson has since become a household name among tuners, garnering worldwide attention with his award-winning Frankenstein-themed Mini Cooper.
Following its debut in Los Angeles, the Ireson Mini Truck will be showcased in the Shell V-Power booth at Hot Import Nights in Miami. The truck's progress will also be documented through a series of videocasts featured on the Shell V-Power Web site (www.shell.com/us/vpower).
Shell Oil Products US, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company, is a leader in the refining, transportation and marketing of fuels, and has a network of approximately 6,000 branded gasoline stations in the Western United States. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Shell Group (NYSE:RDS.A) and (NYSE:RDS.B). For more information, please visit www.shell.com.
