· Tried and tested FlexFuel technology for ethanol operation

· Bosch technologies are compatible with fuels of the future

Alongside gasoline and diesel, alternative fuels are gaining in importance. These include compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline with a high ethanol content, pure ethanol (E100), and biodiesel synthesized from vegetable matter. Bosch has started series production of diverse engine management systems and injection components for these resource-conserving fuels, which also allow CO2 emissions to be significantly reduced.

NG Motronic for bifuel operation in four-stroke engines
When natural gas is burned, roughly 25 percent less carbon dioxide is released than with gasoline. Vehicles that run on natural gas have been in series production worldwide for many years. To offer drivers maximum flexibility in their choice of fuel, vehicles are usually equipped with bifuel systems, which allow engines to run on both natural gas and gasoline. Bosch NG Motronic is a complete system for bifuel operation, comprising the BiFuel Motronic engine control unit, NGI2 natural gas injectors, a fuel rail, and sensors for tank pressure, gas, temperature, and low pressure. Thanks to the strong antiknock qualities of natural gas, natural gas engines can be further optimized. In conjunction with turbocharging, they can be downsized, thereby improving their efficiency and power. Bosch supports this market trend by supplying specially designed CNG injectors from the NGI2 family.

Injection components designed for biofuels
Even today, combustion engines can be run on biofuels, conserving resources and reducing CO2 emissions. Second-generation biofuels enable CO2 cuts of up to 90 percent. In these fuels, the entire plant is processed to make ethanol, synthetic biodiesel, or biogas as a substitute for natural gas. In Europe, biodiesel is already being added to conventional diesel. These biofuels not only lower CO2 emissions in new vehicles equipped with appropriately modified technology, but can also be used in already existing vehicles. Bosch is already designing its injection systems with biofuels in mind. This allows an automotive drive to be developed that uses both renewable energies as well as the existing infrastructure and technology.

Tried and tested FlexFuel systems for driving on ethanol
In South America, plant-based ethanol is an important supplement to conventional gasoline. It was for these markets that Bosch developed its FlexFuel system. The system allows four-stroke engines to be run on varying mixtures of gasoline and ethanol – from pure gasoline to pure ethanol (E100). The engine control unit, which is based on the Motronic system developed for port injection, automatically adjusts injection, ignition, and other system parameters to the different ratios of ethanol to gasoline. FlexFuel has been in everyday use for six years now, and is especially popular in passenger cars in Brazil. In 2008, for example, Bosch was able to equip roughly 500,000 vehicles in the country with this innovative system.

Because of its chemical properties, ethanol can adversely affect starting behavior and engine running, especially at low temperatures. For this reason, Bosch has extended its range to include the Flex Start® system. If required, this system's heated rail preheats the fuel, thus allowing trouble-free starting and driving even when outside temperatures are low. In these vehicles, a second fuel system for gasoline is then redundant, as it was only needed for starting.

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 275,000 associates generated sales of 38.2 billion euros in fiscal 2009. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros for research and development, and applies for some 3,800 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com.

PI6748 - September 2009