Bosch introduced its first platinum plug to the North American market in 1985, thus creating the premium spark-plug segment. The platinum plug features a center electrode that is 99.9 percent pure platinum. Platinum, in case you're not aware, improves corrosion- and erosion-resistance; broadens the heat range beyond that achieved with copper-core plugs; offers extremely consistent, reliable performance; and boasts a longer performance life than plugs with a standard copper core. Since then, the Bosch family of platinum spark plugs has grown to include the Platinum, Platinum2, and Platinum+4. In addition to the use of platinum, the Bosch plugs are unique in that each plug is manufactured using an exclusive process where the platinum center electrode is sintered, or heat-fused, into a unique extended ceramic insulator. This results in the world's only spark-plug design in which the air gap between the center electrode and the insulator is eliminated. There are two advantages to this. First, the plug is able to reach its self-cleaning temperature within seconds. Second, it better maintains its optimal operating temperature, which results in smoother acceleration and no misfiring. Which Platinum plug you choose depends on what level of performance you wish-and what you want to spend.
E3's new DiamondFIRE plug has a unique electrode with what they call "open architecture." Because sparks naturally follow edge-paths as they leave an object, E3 designed its electrode with multiple sharp edges to the center electrode. The company says sparks flow between these edges at lower voltages, facilitating easier discharge than standard designs. Also note that the design allows free replenishment of the spark zone with a fresh air/fuel charge, and it exposes the flame front more directly to the piston head than other plug designs. Compared to a standard plug, E3's testing has shown increased combustion pressure at each cycle; the fastest flame speed and combustion rise in the industry; a 6 percent improvement in power output on average; a notable reduction in carbon deposits and piston head damage; and reduced fuel usage by 3 to 13 percent, depending on engine class. Further, even though the E3 is constructed of standard materials, test data at 50 hours (20 million firing cycles) showed a strong fall-off in the conventional spark plugs' ability to promote complete combustion, it exhibited degraded power, and worsened fuel consumption as compared to the E3. All testing was validated by Georgia Tech and Michigan State Universities and the Environmental Protection Agency.
 This is the business end of...  This is the business end of a Platinum+4 spark plug. As you can see, it sports four electrodes to provide optimum access to the air/fuel mixture. Bosch says this results in the most efficient combustion, and it also contributes to a longer performance life. The electrode gap is factory set, so you just screw 'em in. |  In addition to performance,...  In addition to performance, Bosch says that the Platinum+4 can also help improve fuel economy. This Bosch chart shows up to a 4.8 percent increase in fuel mileage when compared to a standard plug. |  E3 supports its claim of reducing...  E3 supports its claim of reducing carbon deposits and material degradation inside the combustion chamber by releasing this image. It shows two pistons after 50 hours of normal use. The left piston was used with the E3 spark plug. The right piston was used with a standard spark plug. |
 E3 plugs utilize a diamond-shaped...  E3 plugs utilize a diamond-shaped electrode with a revolutionary edge-to-edge design. This patented design delivers a forced edge-to-edge spark discharge that projects the spark into the air/fuel mixture for better combustion. This design also creates a chimney effect that pulls the flame front out into the mixture-not around, like a standard J-wire plug. E3 says the result is more power, improved fuel economy, and carbon is practically eliminated. | | |