Bosch technology was on board 24 of the 56 cars at the 83rd 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race as they competed for victory, fame, and honor from June 13 – 14, 2015. In the top category of the legendary race on the Circuit de la Sarthe, where drivers race in Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) cars, Bosch injection technology has made it onto the winner’s podium every year since 2000. From 2007 to 2014, diesel and diesel hybrid vehicles won eight times in a row for the race overall. Cars with Bosch diesel and gasoline direct injection won at Le Mans between 2000 and 2006. Other highly complex racing technology for the racing cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans that Bosch either develops from scratch or adapts for motor racing from large-scale automotive production includes engine control units, displays, safety systems, and sensors.
Audi R18 e-tron quattro (LMP1):
Bosch is a development partner for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro and supplies both the injection technology and core components of the electric powertrain. “For this racing car, Bosch and Audi combined the benefits of diesel with the power of an additional electric powertrain,” says Uwe Gackstatter, president of Bosch’s Diesel Systems division. “With high torque, efficient combustion, and low fuel consumption, the modern clean diesel is benefiting drivers in everyday road traffic, too.” In 2014, just under half of all newly registered cars in Germany had a diesel engine. Diesel technology has a central role in achieving future fleet CO2 targets. In refining diesel technology, Bosch relies on a systems approach covering clean combustion, optimized exhaust-gas recirculation, and exhaust-gas treatment to further reduce nitrogen oxides and emissions. Bosch is not only combining it with electrification but also applying its extensive know-how to refine both powertrains and ensure an efficient interplay between them.
Bosch supplied the following technology for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro:
- Common-rail injection system, comprising a high-pressure pump, injectors, and high-pressure rail
- Motor-generator unit (MGU): developed by Audi Sport in cooperation with Bosch for the R18 e-tron quattro. Fitted on the front axle, the MGU uses its integrated power electronics to feed energy recovered during braking into a storage flywheel. During acceleration, the MGU drives the racing car’s front axle using an electric motor, which was newly developed for the 2015 season and delivers around 200 kW (272 PS) of power.
- Engine control unit and vehicle data acquisition system, starter, and generator
- Power assisted rack and pinion steering: developed by Audi Sport in cooperation with Bosch Motorsport and Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH.
Chevrolet Corvette C7.R (LM GTE-Pro):
Chevrolet Corvette C7.R racing cars use multiple systems and components from Bosch Motorsport including engine control unit, telemetry system for transmitting vehicle data between the car on the track and the team in the pit, and freely programmable, high-resolution driver display. For more safety the C7.R vehicles are equipped with a collision warning system (CAS-M). The system developed by Bosch Motorsport and Corvette Racing helps the drivers to avoid accidents, particularly during endurance races. In these races one major hazard is posed by the speed differential between vehicle classes whenever high-speed prototype cars come to lap GTE cars based on series production models. The system is based on a third-generation long-range radar sensor (LRR3) fitted to the rear of the vehicle. The LRR3 permanently monitors the space up to 250 meters behind the vehicle and can detect up to 32 objects simultaneously along with their distance from and speed relative to the vehicle. The system combines this data with a video camera, feeding drivers real-time images on a cockpit display. As a result, they have all kinds of useful information directly in their field of vision, such as how many cars are behind them, how fast they are approaching, and on what side the faster prototype vehicles are trying to overtake.
Porsche 911 RSR and Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (LM-GTE Pro and LM-GTE Am):
The Porsche 911 RSR and Porsche 911 GT3 RSR models that competed at Le Mans were equipped with Bosch engine control units, data loggers, starters, and a variety of sensors for variables such as pressure and temperature.
Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 (LM-GTE Pro and LM-GTE Am):
The Ferrari 458 Italia racing cars that competed at Le Mans featured Bosch gasoline direct injection technology that has been optimized for motor racing, consisting of an engine control unit, power stage unit, high-pressure injectors, and a high-pressure pump. In addition, the freely programmable DDU 8 display shows the driver important vehicle data on up to 12 display pages during the race.
