The Le Mans story: technology highlights from Bosch

Le Mans is an event of superlatives: top speeds of over 300 km/h, almost 5,000 kilometers in 24 hours and 85% full throttle – a true test of endurance for drivers and machines. Various vehicle classes battle for victory on the historic racetrack. The docutainment format "The Le Mans story – technology highlights from Bosch" captures the atmosphere on site and provides detailed insights into Bosch's achievements behind the scenes of the legendary racing event.

Innovation and technology at the edge of the possible

The historic Le Mans racetrack is an immense challenge for drivers and technology. Extremely technical passages place high demands on the endurance and technological precision of the installed components.

As a technological developer and system integrator, Bosch plays a central role in Le Mans and motorsports in general. Years of experience and close teamwork across various vehicle classes have repeatedly promoted new innovations.

Bosch has also made its mark on the 92nd edition of the biggest motorsports event in 2024: as a provider of pioneering technology, of course, but also as a trailblazer for a comeback. And with the introduction of a hydrogen racing car, an important step was also taken toward the sustainable future of motorsports.

Hypercars, LMP2, LMGT3 and even hydrogen-powered vehicles - Le Mans 2024 was a feast for all racing fans. And Bosch, as a technical partner, was right in the middle of it all.

Hybrid performance at the highest level

As the lead developer and integrator of the Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) system, Bosch Motorsport is demonstrating its many years of expertise under the toughest conditions. Since the beginning of this new era in 2023, Bosch has continuously developed the system and supported numerous teams and manufacturers within the Hypercar category. In 2024, two new racing teams in this category competed at Le Mans with Bosch as a partner. Alpine and Lamborghini trust in Bosch's excellence and in the future of the Hypercar category.

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LMGT3 - a new class for a limitless racing experience

The new WEC LMGT3 category started for the first time in 2024. Le Mans, as a seminal event, will be the setting for an innovative development: electronic packages from Bosch, such as the electric control unit or Power Box power and control the vehicles over 24 hours, hopefully to the finish line. This vehicle category thus epitomizes iconic racing and innovation at the highest level.

Le Mans is a huge laboratory, where we can test our products to the limit - and beyond.

Ingo Mauel, Head of Bosch Motorsport

CAS-M 3 – greater overview, fewer collisions

Every driver exposes himself to serious dangers because collisions can change a race in an instant. Bosch is addressing this safety gap with the development of a revolutionary collision avoidance system for LMGT3 cars. Especially in endurance races with different race car categories on the track, collisions can happen fast.

The CAS-M 3 provides real-time visualizations in the cockpit of the vehicle during the race and warns the driver of approaching or overtaking vehicles. Intuitive markings show the vehicles on the display. With a quick glance, the driver can estimate the following racing cars as well as distances and relative speeds. Collisions can thus be prevented.

Another decisive advantage is that the driver can concentrate fully on the race and look ahead. After all, safety is one of the most important aspects of boundless passion.

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LMH and Isotta Fraschini – comeback of a legend

Racing stands for a high level of innovation and far-reaching changes. But it is also a sport with a long tradition and a great cult factor. Bosch is emphasizing this combination through its collaboration with Isotta Fraschini.

The Italians are making their comeback after a more than 100-year absence from racing. In their very first race, they are challenging well-known manufacturers in the LMH category. On board: the complete hybrid vehicle software, including the high-voltage safety concept from Bosch.

The components installed include the ICE ECU MS7.8, the VCU MS50.4P hybrid control unit, the POWER BOX PB190 power control module, the DISPLAY DDU10 dashboard display, the C80 data logger, and the EBS electronic braking system.

Bosch has successfully utilized its expert knowledge and carefully applied Bosch quality standards to make the Isotta Fraschini Le Mans Hypercar competitive for the "Big One", as Le Mans is also known, in its comeback.

Everything in sight for a successful comeback of the Italian cult brand Isotta Fraschini

Isotta Fraschini takes to the circuit with the ICE MS7.8 electronic control unit from Bosch

Aiming to shake up the LMH class in the very first race: Isotta Fraschini's hypercar

Bosch x Ligier

Le Mans has inspired an international and passionate audience since the very beginning. Hardly any other event celebrates new products and innovations with such fervor.

2024 marks another milestone toward sustainability in motorsports. Bosch Engineering GmbH and Ligier Automotive successfully took their hydrogen-powered demonstration vehicle, the Ligier JS2 RH2, to the track for a world premiere demo run.

Intensive tests in the preceding months have repeatedly put the robustness and long-term performance of the engine and the vehicle as a whole to the test. The Ligier JS2 RH2 now impresses with a high output of 443 kw, a torque of 650 nm, and the transient response behavior of the 3.0-litre biturbo fuel engine. It can meet the extreme requirements of a long-distance race of over 5,000 kilometers at top speeds of over 280 km/h.

In the development of the Ligier JS2 RH2, Bosch Engineering was responsible for the overall vehicle design and significantly implemented the development of the engine and tank concept as well as a comprehensive multistage hydrogen safety system.

Bosch is thus demonstrating not only a passion for existing motorsports, but above all, a sense of responsibility and commitment to more environmentally conscious technologies.