- Specifically tuned Bosch Common Rail System- Excellent power and torque- Bosch diesel also at the Dakar Rally 2006

Bosch is a key partner of Audi in the development of the new diesel-powered racing car R10 for Le Mans. The globally active supplier fits the state-of-the-art Common Rail technology to the race engines. Diesel engines are already offering high power and great fuel economy in millions of mass produced vehicles. Audi is now taking advantage of this performance for motorsport - it is expected to provide the decisive edge in racing.

Bosch supplies the complete Common Rail system for the R10. High pressure pumps and piezo-inline injectors were specifically tuned to racing conditions by the Bosch Motorsport service, which also designed new control units for this purpose. "We are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with Audi in this project" said Ulrich Dohle, President of Diesel Systems Division at Bosch. "The Common Rail injection technology from Bosch has turned diesel vehicles into clean and economic sprinters. Now diesel-powered cars can also demonstrate their performance potential on the race track with Audi and Bosch." The excellent teamwork with Audi has already paid off over the last few years: Le Mans racing cars from Audi equipped with Bosch gasoline direct injection systems were winners in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, and those of the corporate subsidiary, Bentley, in 2003.

Diesel engines are powerful and offer excellent fuel economy. This is a special advantage in endurance races like the 24 hours of Le Mans. The first racing appearance of the new diesel-powered racing car is planned for March 2006 in the American Le Mans series at Sebring, USA. Audi won the last six of these races.

Diesel endorsement in motorsportBosch is also active with diesel technology in one other racing event: the Group supplies the injection technology for the TDI engine of the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2, which will participate in the Dakar Rally in 2006.

Bosch has combined all its activities in motorsport in a separate unit - Bosch Motorsport. It is part of Bosch Engineering GmbH, which specialises in engineering services. These activities have a proud and longstanding tradition dating back to as early as 1903, when Bosch technology helped racing drivers to victory for the first time.

Key milestones for Bosch Common Rail technology1997- Bosch Common Rail system for passenger vehicles launched.- Injection pressure: 1,350 bar- First application in standard vehicles: Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benx

2001- 2nd generation of Common Rail for passenger vehicles makes diesel engines more fuel efficient, more powerful, less polluting and quieter- Injection pressure: 1,600 bar- First application in standard vehicles: BMW and Volvo

2003- 3rd generation of Common Rail with fast switching piezo-inline injectors for passenger vehicles. Emmisions reduced by 20 percent, increase in engine output, improved fuel economy and reduced engine noise- Injection pressure: 1,600 bar- First application in standard vehicles: Audi

2005- Researchers and developers of Bosch and Siemens VDO are jointly awarded the Deutsche Zukunftspreis, the future award of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany for the utilisation of piezo technology