Bosch Clean Diesel Helps Audi Dominate American Le Mans Series

In worldwide Le Mans racing, the Audi R10 TDI has captured the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans for three years in a row, including being the first diesel-powered car to win the 102-year-old race in 2006.

Bosch expertise has helped transfer clean diesel performance from the track to the road, offering passenger vehicles an average 50 percent increase in torque. Race fans will have a chance to see the advantages of clean diesel technology in action Labor Day weekend at the 2008 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. The second running of the Detroit Sports Car Challenge presented by Bosch is Aug. 30, 2008, from 2:35 p.m. until 5:20 p.m. ET, on the Raceway at Belle Isle Park inDetroit.

"As an industry-leader in clean diesel technology, Bosch is proud to play a vital role in the success of the Audi R10," said Bernd Boisten, regional president, diesel systemsNorth America, Robert Bosch LLC. "The success we've seen on the race track and on our roads is proof that diesel is a powerful and viable powertrain option, offering consumers improved fuel economy, reduced emissions and increased performance."

Bosch's racing history dates back to 1903, when a Mercedes "Type 60" stock car equipped with a Bosch magneto, won the Gordon Bennett Race inIreland. Today, as development partner with Audi, Bosch supplies the specially adjusted high-pressure pumps and piezo-inline injectors for the diesel common rail injection system on the Audi R10 TDI. The system has contributed to numerous Audi victories since its debut at the 2006 12 Hours of Sebring.

    Racing highlights include:
    -- First place in the 2006 54th Annual 12 Hours of Sebring.
    -- First place in the 2006 74th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
    -- First place in the 2006 9th Annual Petit Le Mans.
    -- 2006 American Le Mans Series LMP1 race class champion.
    -- First place in the 2007 55th Annual 12 Hours of Sebring.
    -- First place in the 2007 75th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
    -- First place in the 2008 76th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The
       number two diesel sportscar was the first-ever to be powered by blended
       biofuel.
    -- The Audi team scored its second straight 1-2 finish during the 2008
       series, Aug. 9 at American Le Mans-Road America. The team has won four
       of seven races this year.

The same Bosch technology powering the Audi R10's racing success is available to consumers today through a number of automakers. When compared to gasoline vehicles, clean diesels provide a number of benefits to consumers, including: an average increase in fuel economy of 30 percent; a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 percent; and, up to 50 percent increase in torque.

Bosch's high-pressure diesel injection system has greatly influenced the advancements of clean diesel technology. In 1997, common rail technology brought a new dimension to the diesel engine market, resulting in cleaner, quieter, more efficient and responsive vehicles.

Bosch's new diesel technology advancements have helped further position the company in the motorsports industry and continue to solidify its position within the automotive industry as a leader in powertrain development.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 271,000 associates generated sales of over 46.3 billion euros (over $63 billion) in fiscal 2007. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in roughly 50 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3 billion euros for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. The company was set up inStuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering."

InNorth America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs approximately 25,000 associates in more than 70 locations throughout the U.S.,Canada and Mexico, with reported sales of $9.5 billion in fiscal 2007. For more information on the company, visit www.boschusa.com

SOURCE The Bosch Group

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