Bosch Announces Drive a Clean Diesel Contest Winners

Bosch Selects Six AutoWeek Readers to Drive a Clean-Diesel Car for One Week

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Aug. 26, 2008 - Robert Bosch LLC announced the six winners of its Drive a Clean Diesel for One Week contest. Selected from entries submitted to AutoWeek.com, the winners secured the opportunity to test drive a vehicle with a clean-diesel engine from the Bosch fleet of diesel cars for one week.

  The winners, all of whom has been notified by Bosch, are:

  -- Jeff Martin, Ferndale, Mich.

  -- Laurie Rogers, Bloomington, Ill.

  -- Larry Luczak, Columbia City, Ind.

  -- Andy Hermann, Garden City, Mich.

  -- Andy Mattox, Kentland, Ind.

  -- Stephen Pinkoski, Plymouth, Mich.

"This car is going to be fast - have a lot of torque, and it's just going to be an all-around great car. I'm definitely excited to drive it," said Jeff Martin, before his initial test drive of the BMW 535d with its clean-diesel engine.

Bosch, the manufacturer of the clean diesel technology, sponsored the contest to let consumers experience firsthand the power of clean-diesel vehicles and raise the visibility of clean diesel among auto enthusiasts. The contest's clean diesel cars are the BMW 535d, Mercedes-Benz E320 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

According to Lars Ullrich, director of marketing for diesel systems North America, "Clean-diesel vehicles are good, clean and fun to drive. They achieve an average of 30 percent better fuel economy than their gasoline-powered equivalents. In addition, clean diesel emits 25 percent less greenhouse-gas emissions. With ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and the new clean diesel technology, it also meets emission requirements in all 50 states."

"Additionally, clean-diesel engines pack performance, offering a 50-percent increase in torque on average compared to traditional gasoline engines." High torque allows diesel-powered cars to accelerate faster, especially at low engine RPMs and provides improved towing capability.

After completing his first test drive in the BMW, Martin looked forward to the week ahead: "It's not slow, and it has very tight handling. I can't wait to put it through its paces."

"We're excited to have the opportunity to partner with Bosch and allow our readers a chance to experience clean diesel technology," said AutoWeek VP-Publisher KC Crain. "With performance and economic advantages, these vehicles demonstrate that driving a diesel is a more pleasant experience than previously perceived as the technology has greatly evolved over the years."