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Favorites rely on Bosch diesel technology

Bosch diesel technology once again proves its leadership in diesel technology at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race last June 11 and 12 in France. The Audi Sport team took the Le Mans title from 2006 to 2008 with its diesel-powered cars. Last year, Audi Sport took the top three spots with its Audi R15 TDIs –each time with Bosch technology on board.

Bosch is also the development partner for the common-rail injection system of the current Audi R18 TDI. This system comprises the high-pressure pump, injectors, high-pressure rail, and a customized engine control unit (ECU). Other components supplied by Bosch Motorsport include the starter and alternator as well as the vehicle's data logging and telemetry system, which transmits all the relevant data from the car to the pits during a race.



Another of this year's favorites is Peugeot Sport – the 2009 winner – which has introduced the new 908 to replace its 908 HDi FAP. The team has been participating in the race since 2007 and took first and second places in 2009. Bosch works as a development partner for this team, too, supplying a full range of diesel injection technology including high-pressure pump, injectors and rail. Other components supplied by Bosch Motorsport include the driver box for the piezo injectors and the rail pressure control as well as the starter and alternator.

24-hour races put a tremendous strain on the technology used in the racing cars, which are expected to cover almost the same distance as all 19 races of the entire 2011 Formula 1 season put together. The task of making each component durable enough to last the race is a major challenge – as is the integration of the hydraulics, electronics, and data acquisition components into one overall system.



Diesel-powered vehicles have triumphed in Le Mans every year since 2006. “The teams have learned to fully exploit the key benefits of diesel technology – high torque combined with low fuel consumption,” says Dr. Gerhard Turner, president of the Bosch Diesel Systems division. “And of course many drivers already enjoy the advantages of diesel engines on a daily basis on regular roads.” 42 percent of all new passenger cars registered in Germany in 2010 were diesel-powered – and the figure was even higher in France at 70 percent.

As an experienced systems and components supplier for multiple racing series, Bosch Motorsport and its experts have built up the systems competence and integration know-how required for motor sport applications. Bosch Motorsport is part of Bosch Engineering GmbH, a Bosch subsidiary that specializes in engineering services. Bosch Motorsport can draw on 110 years of motorsport tradition – Bosch technology has been helping racing drivers to victory ever since 1901.

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