FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – Bosch recently introduced Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion, the newest member of the Bosch premium spark plug family. Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion combines an iridium and platinum center electrode with Bosch’s exclusive surface air gap technology and yttrium-enhanced ground electrodes.

According to the company, Bosch’s Platinum Ir Fusion is the industry’s only spark plug that combines iridium and platinum in a patented fused fine wire center electrode design. This provides a more durable and long lasting center electrode, better heat dissipation, and lower, more stable ignition voltage requirements.

Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion features four yttrium-enhanced ground electrodes, providing exceptional performance life. Yttrium is a rare earth element which was discovered in Ytterby, Sweden, in 1794 and is a key component in superconductors and television screens. The use of yttrium, when combined with nickel chromium, produces a more stable alloy with significantly improved resistance to spark wear from erosion and oxidation. On-road testing conducted by Bosch indicates ground electrode durability improvement of up to 87 percent versus ground electrode designs of nickel chromium alone. Bosch is the only spark plug manufacturer using yttrium as a technological design component.

The new Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion is available for virtually all makes and all models, domestic and import. Just seven plugs cover 99 percent of all OE iridium applications and 80 percent of total vehicle applications on the road today, according to the company.

According to Martin Kashnowski, director of product development, Bosch is transforming and upgrading its entire spark plug portfolio to further address consumer demands and market trends. The complete line-up will consist of Bosch Super Plus, Bosch Platinum Plus, Bosch Platinum+2, Bosch Platinum+4 and the Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion.

Bosch Super Plus is an advanced copper core spark plug that uses yttrium to significantly increase the copper core center electrode’s resistance to spark erosion. The Bosch Platinum Series includes the new Bosch Platinum Plus. This spark plug features Bosch’s exclusive platinum technology in a fused fine wire center electrode design with a tapered v-profile yttrium-enhanced ground electrode to deliver a 25 percent longer service life over the original Bosch Platinum plug. The new Bosch Platinum Plus, together with Platinum+2 and Platinum+4, provides the industry and motorists with all levels of premium platinum performance.

Editor’s Note: The aftermarketNews editorial staff recently visited Bosch’s facility in Farmington Hills, MI, to learn more about the new Plantinum Ir Fusion Spark Plug. To read more about our trip, click here.

For more information about Bosch, go to: http://www.boschautoparts.com.