Since the company’s inception in 1853, Motul has focused on producing oils that are purpose-built for their given tasks. In the years following the Industrial Revolution, Motul’s engineers sought out every engine configuration they could get their hands on, creating specialized development approach that would later become the foundation for modern lubricant technology. Innovation became a defining principle of the company, typified by milestones like the world’s first multi-grade motor oil as well as the first semi-synthetic oil, launched in 1953 and 1966, respectively.
In 1971, Motul introduced another breakthrough invention to the world with 300V. The brainchild of the late Michel Sinson, who served as Motul’s Technical Director and dedicated more than four decades of his career to the formulation of Motul products, 300V was the first full-synthetic oil designed specifically for use in automotive applications.
Capitalizing on advancements that were originally developed for the aviation industry, Motul was also the first lubricant manufacturer to use ester technology for the formulation of its fully synthetic automotive oils. The inherent lubricating properties of these vegetable-based organic compounds offered benefits in anti-shear quality, as well as exceptional resistance to high temperatures – characteristics which are vital in extreme use-cases. Now the designation of Motul's flagship range, 300V has seen continuous advancement thanks to the company’s involvement at the highest levels of motorsport. The racetrack has become something of a field laboratory of Motul, an effort that has benefited teams and builders alike.
“The biggest advantage about working with Motul is that instead of buying off-the-shelf engine oils, we now have access to a lab and engineers who can help us develop and produce bespoke products for our needs,” explained Ian Lovett of Gibson Technology, the contract engine supplier for the LMP2 class in the FIA World Endurance Championship. “That is the biggest plus for our company.”
By now the rigors of endurance racing have become the stuff of legend, often pushing both driver and machine beyond the breaking point. Reliability plays a pivotal role in a team’s success, and few motorsport events illustrate this crucial element of a racing program like the 24 Hours of Le Mans does. Over the years Motul has served as a technical partner to a number of teams who have competed at the annual endurance event, many of which have gone on to secure spots on the podium, as both Graff-SO24 and United Autosports did in 2018. That same year Motul also became the official motor oil of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the IMSA Michelin Tire SportsCar Challenge. After more than six decades of involvement in racing at Le Mans, it was the next logical step for a supplier with such a passion for endurance racing.
The tradition of innovating continues as the latest formula of Motul 300V was released in 2021 with various improvements gained from racing. Building upon 50 years of research and development, the latest 300V product range offers a wider range of viscosities, improved performance, and better compatibility with alternative fuels like ethanol to keep up with the latest demands.