Diesel Myths Dispelled

Today's clean diesels are Good, Clean, Fun and will race at the 2008 Detroit Sports Car Challenge Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, on Detroit's Belle Isle

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Aug. 11 -- Would you consider buying a clean diesel passenger vehicle? What if owning a clean diesel vehicle translated into savings for your pocket book and helped protect the environment, without sacrificing vehicle performance?

If you are in the Detroit area on Labor Day weekend, make your way to Detroit's beautiful Belle Isle where you will have a chance to see clean diesel technology in action. The Audi R10 TDI racecar with Bosch clean diesel technology will be showcased at the 2008 Detroit Sports Car Challenge.

"Many consumers still have outdated perceptions of diesels," said Dr. Johannes-Joerg Rueger, vice president, engineering, diesel systems, Robert Bosch LLC. "You can learn more about clean diesel vehicles on Belle Isle and see for yourself that today's diesel passenger vehicles are fuel efficient, clean and provide drivers with greater performance than comparable gasoline vehicles. We call this diesel advantage: Good, Clean, Fun."

Good

Diesel passenger vehicles offer 30 percent better fuel economy, on average, compared to gasoline passenger vehicles, which means consumers make fewer trips to the pump. As a matter of fact, consumers save money every time they go to the pump even though diesel fuel prices are currently higher when compared to gasoline fuel. For example, the most recent (Aug. 4) national average fuel prices are $3.88 for gas and $4.50 for diesel. Factoring in diesel's 30 percent fuel economy improvement is like paying $3.15 a gallon for diesel -- that translates into $.73 less per gallon of diesel fuel as compared to gasoline fuel.

Clean

Diesel passenger vehicles, when compared to gasoline vehicles, benefit the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 percent. Today's clean diesel vehicles comply with all U.S. emission regulations. With particulate filters, what comes out of the tailpipe (exhaust gas) typically contains fewer particles than the air entering the vehicle's engine -- the particulate filter literally acts as a cleaner.

Fun

Diesel passenger vehicles offer a premium performance experience due to a 50 percent increase in torque (especially at low rpm) -- the force that allows cars to accelerate smoothly and powerfully -- compared to gasoline passenger vehicles. This premium performance experience includes increased acceleration and power at the point of acceleration as well as an ability to tow heavier loads for longer periods of time, compared to gasoline vehicles.

"Diesel engines are a durable, fuel-efficient and eco-friendly powertrain option that provides superior performance. For American drivers who want to save money at the pump without sacrificing their driving experience, diesel is a great option," said Rueger. "Regardless of what you drive, for families who want to save money and have fun on Labor Day weekend the Grand Prix and City of Detroit will have a host of family friendly activities accessible to many people in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, all on less than a tank of gas."

Diesel technology supplied by Bosch has played a key role in helping the Audi Racing Team and the Audi R10 TDI achieve success in the American Le Mans Series. The Audi R10 TDI vehicles finished second and third in the 2007 Detroit Sports Car Challenge and will be competing in the 2008 race series. Worldwide, the Audi R10 has won numerous races including the past three 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

For more than 75 years, Bosch has led the way in making diesel advantages a reality through major technology advancements. Over the last decade, Bosch has introduced technology that dramatically improves performance while making diesels clean, quiet and efficient. Bosch technology for diesel engines includes high-pressure common rail and unit injector systems, both vital to emissions reduction, and improved performance and fuel economy. The company is currently working with many automakers to advance the understanding and adoption of clean diesel technology. For more information on clean diesel technology benefits, visit www.bosch-diesel.us .

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 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 in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering."

In North 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 .