Is American gas inferior to European gas?

Question

I heard this somewhere. In Europe, we have 3 types of gas (called 'benzine') available: Super (=deprecated, few engines still support it), Super 95 and Super 98. The number would indicate the level of octane in the fuel. What kind of gasoline do you Americans put in your cars?
Also, I think we have smaller engines... 1.6 - 1.8 litre is for regular cars; 2.0 - 2.4 litre engines are fast cars here. Most people drive a 1.9L Turbo Diesel.

Answer 1

Not really. I'd have to say that it lies within the minimum standards set by the respective govts. coupled with wich particular refinery it comes from. Other than that, petroleum distillates are petroleum distillates.

Answer 2

We have three main types of unleaded, regular (87 octane), midgrade (89), and premium (93).

Our engines are larger (as are the cars). Typically in the 3L range with many cars 5L and up.

We only sell a few (less than ten) models of diesel cars (unless you special order). I think the only companies selling them are Volkswagen and Mercedes. Diesel trucks are more common.

I won't say the fuel is inferior. The engine dictates the type of fuel required. Given our standards and what the manufacturers build, these levels of octane are appropriate. Over here, higher octance is reserved for sports cars and older cars with engine knocks. Octane reduces the knocks, so it could be that your engines are designed differently and would knock without the high octane.