Advanced Technology Enables Diesel-Powered Vehicles to 'Clean Up Their Act'

BROADVIEW, Ill., Aug. 28, 2007 -- Today's diesel-powered vehicles bear little resemblance to their older siblings. 'Modern' diesels are clean, quiet, low on emissions, high on power and very fuel efficient. No wonder many European and Asian car companies plan to bring more diesel-powered passenger vehicles into the U.S. market.

"Harmful exhaust emissions in modern diesel passenger cars have been reduced by 95 percent and fuel economy increased by 30 percent, with much of this improvement due to the diesel common rail system developed by Bosch," said Al Krenz, director of service for Robert Bosch LLC.

Bosch is the largest worldwide supplier of auto parts and systems to vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket, and a pioneer in the development and advancement of diesel engine technology. (www.boschautoparts.com)

'Common rail' is actually the tube where diesel fuel is stored at very high pressure and distributed to fuel injectors at each cylinder. Each cylinder's injector controls the timing of injection and the amount of fuel injected. The high injection pressure and precisely actuated injectors atomize the fuel, producing highly efficient combustion - resulting in a smooth running, powerful and quiet diesel engine.

Unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines have no ignition system and therefore, do not need a spark plug to ignite the air-fuel mixture. Instead, compressing the air in the combustion chamber heats it to such a high temperature that when the injected fuel comes into contact with this superheated air, it is instantly ignited.

Introduced by Bosch 10 years ago on the Alfa Romeo and the Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI, the common rail injection system provides improved performance over more conventional systems while further reducing fuel consumption, emissions and noise.

Combining common rail technology with the new, fast-acting 'piezo' injectors, ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and advanced exhaust emission control technologies, will help new diesels meet the most demanding current and future United States emission requirements, said Krenz.

Although wildly popular in Europe and ready to take on the large, but highly polluted markets of Asia, the full benefits of diesel have yet to reach the American motorist. As car companies roll out their diesels in the coming years, their power, fuel economy and environmental benefits will become obvious.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Al Krenz is available for interviews.