Bosch develops quiet, clean e-kart with instant torque
- Bosch develops electric powertrain for motorsport kart prototype together with FIA and German Motorsport Association
- 48-volt boost recuperation system (BRS) makes karting cleaner, fun, and agile
- Bosch series production technology powers the electric racing kart
Helping to shape a sustainable future for global motorsport, Bosch has developed an all-electric powertrain for the FIA e-kart concept. The product of a collaboration between Bosch, FIA Electric, the New Energy Commission, the German Motorsport Association (DMSB), and kart manufacturer, Mach 1. Its unveiling will take place onon 21 May 2016 at the FIA Formula E Berlin ePrix.
The “e-kart” delivers instant torque, propelling the racing kart from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds and on to a top speed of more than 80mph. It is powered using Bosch’s innovative boost recuperation system (BRS), which will enter production in 2017 as a entry-level hybrid system for road cars.
Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH, said: “With the e-kart, the FIA, DMSB, and Bosch are together laying the foundations for ‘electrifying’ performance kart racing. Just as it has on the roads, electrification will bring more excitement, driving pleasure and greater efficiency to race tracks.”
Powertrain technology from the road to the race track
Karting is considered the gateway into the world of professional motorsport and currently, most karts are powered by internal-combustion engines. The e-kart has been developed by the FIA, DMSB, Mach 1 Kart, and Bosch to create a purely electric motorsport discipline that makes no compromises in power or performance.
To achieve this, Bosch BRS delivers 20 kW and 300 Nm of torque to the rear axle, delivered from the slightest touch of the accelerator. Energy is stored in the system using a 48-volt lithium battery, while the system can also recover energy during recuperation and then use it for acceleration. The nerve centre of the powertrain is a custom ECU that controls energy flow throughout the kart. A set of sensors and a wiring harness complete the overall system. The new electric powertrain turns the Mach 1 Kart chassis into a clean, fast, and agile performer on the race track.
Dr. Klaus Böttcher, vice president of Bosch Motorsport, explained: “Even during its initial run, the electric kart was able to hit 62 miles per hour in less than five seconds and achieve a top speed of over 80 miles per hour. Over the coming weeks and months we will continue testing to further explore the capabilities of the new e-kart.”
From the road to the race track
The new BRS boost recuperation system will primarily be used in passenger cars, with the first production vehicles ready from 2017. The electrical components of BRS support the internal-combustion motor in compact vehicles with up to 10 kW of additional power, which reduces fuel consumption and CO2emissions by up to 15 percent on the road. It also provides the internal-combustion engine with an additional 150 Nm of torque during acceleration.
Bosch Motorsport
Bosch Motorsport has more than 100 associates worldwide, with its engineers equipping teams running in the DTM, FIA European Formula 3 Championship, the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, and numerous rallies and long-distance championships – including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Bosch’s involvement in motor racing dates back 115 years: the first racing victories with Bosch technology on board came in the early 1900s, and the motorsport success stories continue to this day.
Press photos:
1-BEG-22278, 1-BEG-22279, 1-BEG-22280, 1-BEG-22281, 1-BEG-22298,
1-BEG-22299
Further information:
Basic information Bosch Motorsport
Boost Recuperation System: the hybrid for everybody
Brochure Boost Recuperation System
Contact person for press inquiries:
Rianne Ojeh, 01895 83 8822, rianne.ojeh@uk.bosch.com
Mobility Solutions is the largest Bosch Group business sector. According to preliminary figures, its 2015 sales came to 41.7 billion euros, or 60 percent of total group sales. This makes the Bosch Group one of the leading automotive suppliers. The Mobility Solutions business sector combines the group’s expertise in three mobility domains – automation, electrification, and connectivity – and offers its customers integrated mobility solutions. Its main areas of activity are injection technology and powertrain peripherals for internal-combustion engines, diverse solutions for powertrain electrification, vehicle safety systems, driver-assistance and automated functions, technology for user-friendly infotainment as well as vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, repair-shop concepts, and technology and services for the automotive aftermarket. Bosch is synonymous with important automotive innovations, such as electronic engine management, the ESP anti-skid system, and common-rail diesel technology.
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 375,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2015). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of more than 70 billion euros in 2015. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing and sales network covers some 150 countries. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. Bosch employs 55,800
associates in research and development at roughly 115 locations across the globe. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.”
Additional information is available online at www.bosch.co.uk, www.bosch-press.com, twitter.com/BoschUK
