Mercedes - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition Is the Sedan's Farewell Tour - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

 

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the new third-generation 2026 CLA-class, starting this fall with the fully electric CLA EV before adding a new hybrid CLA-class sedan in early 2026. But Mercedes's performance division, AMG, has yet to work its magic on the new CLA, and before it does, it has revealed a send-off for the current CLA45 S in the form of a new Final Edition.

The 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition will be available in limited numbers—although the automaker didn't specify just how many—when it reaches dealerships early next year. The Final Edition wears Mountain Grey Magno paint from the brand's Manufaktur personalization program and is further distinguished by a black-and-yellow "45 S" graphic on the front doors. Yellow accents are also found on the sideview mirrors.

The 19-inch wheels are painted matte black with yellow accents surrounding the center caps. The black brake calipers have AMG logos. The Final Edition also has the AMG Night package, bringing gloss-black and black-chrome exterior trim. The AMG Aerodynamics Package Plus is also fitted, bringing a beefier front splitter, small dive planes on the front bumper, a sizable rear wing, and a gloss-black rear diffuser. There is also a special silver chrome fuel cap adorned with AMG lettering.

The yellow touches continue inside, where the Final Edition features black AMG Performance seats upholstered in microsuede and Mercedes's MB-Tex synthetic leather. There is yellow stitching throughout the cabin, and the front headrests sport an embroidered "45 S" logo. There is also a "45 S Final Edition" on the center console, an illuminated AMG badge on the door sills, "45 S" branding on the floor mats, and more yellow accents on the nappa leather and microfiber steering wheel.

The powertrain remains unchanged, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder pumping out 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes claims the CLA45 S can rip from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds en route to a 155-mph top speed. But we bet it's even quicker. When we tested a 2020 CLA45, back when it had only 382 hp, it did the dash in just 3.7 seconds. Shifting duties are handled by an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the CLA45's standard all-wheel-drive system can send all of the power to the rear wheels for tail-happy antics.

While the 2026 CLA45 S Final Edition marks the end of the line for the second-generation sporty sedan, Mercedes is surely cooking up a hotter version of the new third-generation model. Spy photos have captured a new CLA wearing an active rear wing, redesigned bumpers, and camouflage on the front fenders where an AMG badge typically goes. We expect AMG to fiddle with both the hybrid and electric CLA-class sedans, and we shouldn't have to wait too much longer for a full reveal.

 source: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a65266997/2026-mercedes-amg-cla45-s-final-edition-revealed/

by Caleb Miller

Porsche - Repair and Service Redwood City - Porsche announces three new 911 model variants with all-wheel drive and 473 hp - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

 

 

Porsche is expanding the 911 model range with three new variants. The 911 Carrera 4S is available as a coupe and Cabriolet. Together with the Targa 4S, they bridge the gap between the standard 911 Carrera – which is not available with all-wheel drive –and the significantly more powerful GTS models. Like on the rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera S models, additional options for individualization and extended standard equipment are distinguishing features.

All-wheel drive variants are popular among customers buying a 911 “S” variant. In fact, within that specific subset, almost half in the U.S. choose a model powering all four wheels. The three new model variants continue to offer customers a great degree of choice within the 911 product range to meet varied use cases and demands. As with every other model equipped with Porsche Traction Management (PTM), the torque split is rear-biased by default. If required, PTM directs more torque to the front axle. As on its predecessors, the front differential is water cooled and uses an electromechanically controlled clutch.

Porsche announces three new 911 model variants with all-wheel drive and 473 hp

Porsche is expanding the 911 model range with three all-wheel drive models for the 2026 model year: The 911 Carrera 4S coupe and Cabriolet, as well as the Targa 4S. All three models gain more power, improvements in standard equipment and enhanced brakes compared to their predecessors. With their arrival, the range of new 911 models with all-wheel drive grows to six variants.

 

Improved performance

The new all-wheel drive variants of the 911 adopt the upgraded engine of the Carrera S. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder boxer engine produces 473 hp (353 kW) and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. That is 30 hp (22 kW) more than in the predecessor. This increase in performance is partly due to the optimized intercooling, the design of which comes from the 911 Turbo. An eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) transmits power to all four wheels. The 911 Carrera 4S coupe accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds using Launch Control with the optional Sport Chrono Package, and is capable of a top track speed of 191mph. 

Upgraded standard equipment

Porsche has significantly enhanced the standard equipment for the Carrera 4S and Targa 4S models. From a performance perspective, the improvements include Sport Exhaust with tailpipes in silver, brakes taken from the previous generation 911 Carrera GTS models measuring 408 mm on the front axle and 380 mm on the rear axle. Uprated dampers with optimized hydraulics are more responsive and improve ride quality over the preceding model. Performance-focused standard features of the prior model remain, including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and staggered 20/21-inch Carrera S wheels. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are available as an option, as is PASM Sport Suspension, which lowers the ride height by 10 mm. Rear axle steering is optionally available on the Carrera 4S and Carrera 4S Cabriolet. The system offers increased agility at low speeds and greater stability at high speeds. If equipped, this system also includes a quicker steering ratio and revised front axle kinematics. The 911 Targa 4S has rear-axle steering as standard.

Like all current 911 Carrera Coupe models, the Carrera 4S comes as a two-seater with the option to add rear seats for no additional cost, while the Cabriolet and Targa are equipped with rear seats as standard.

The new models feature an upgraded interior. Compared to the preceding Carrera 4S models, the interior comes with extended leather upholstery as standard including the seats, headrests, upper dashboard, upper door panels, and – if equipped – the rear seats. In addition, Matrix Design LED headlights and wireless smartphone charging are standard equipment.

The new 911 Carrera 4S, 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet and 911 Targa 4S are expected to arrive at U.S. Porsche Centers in the fourth quarter of 2025. Pricing will be announced in due course.

60 years of the 911 Targa

For 60 years, the 911 Targa has combined the enjoyment of a convertible with the year-round comfort of a coupe. The 911 Targa debuted in September 1965 at the IAA in Frankfurt and, like so many Porsche innovations, the elegant, wide Targa bar is inspired by motorsport. With a removable roof and folding rear window, the design allowed for the open air sensations of a convertible while providing the benefit of a fixed bar. Porsche derived the name Targa from the famous Targa Florio race in Sicily.

Today, the Porsche 911 Targa is an icon in its own right, further developed technically and formally over six decades. With the 993 generation (1993), there was no need to remove the roof manually. Since 2006, the 911 Targa has been available exclusively with all-wheel drive. The current Targa roof design, which launched in 2014, provides a fully automatic roof mechanism that opens in 19 seconds and references the style of the early Targa models. The glass rear window lifts up and moves backwards to allow the roof panel to fold away the roof segment folds elegantly. The wide bar and the surrounding rear window form a clear reminiscence of the original model. The roof module of the current Targa is available in four color variants: black, blue, red and brown.

source: https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_US/2025/products/911-Carrera-4S-Cabriolet-Targa-2026-39921.html

by Porsche NewsRoom

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Jaguar's Rebrand Might Get a Rebrand. Would That Make It a Re-Rebrand? - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

 

 

 After an ambitious switch to a new logo and a bold yet strange advertising pitch, the new Jaguar may be having second thoughts.

It's being reported in The Telegraph that Jaguar's infamous recent rebrand, in which the core pillars of the British automaker's brand were tossed out and redone, may itself be on the verge of being tossed out and redone as Jaguar searches for a new advertising agency. The rebrand spelled the end of the "leaper" Jaguar logo along with the whole tweed-lined, sniffy gentleman buyer profile while introducing weird pop-art ads with only models and no cars, a new Jaguar logo, and the polarizing Type 00 EV concept. The internet had a field day with the provocative new direction.

Oh, and Jaguar pledged to basically stop selling new vehicles globally for two years while it winds down its current lineup and winds up an all-new one, starting with the 2026 four-door GT previewed by that Type 00 concept. (Here in America, dealers will sell down existing inventory through the end of this year.) So it's a weird time for Jaguar, and one that's about to possibly get stranger if the company decides to go in yet another new direction.

As of this publishing, Jaguar and the agency responsible for the new advertising campaign and brand relaunch, Accenture Song, aren't confirming the story, so it's possible that nothing is changing. (Jaguar and Accenture Song have a contract that apparently runs through 2026.) And while the rebrand was certainly odd and a severe break from what everyone associates the Jaguar brand with, it did accomplish its primary goal: getting attention. Think about it—when was the last time you really thought about Jaguar at all before brightly dressed models milled around without a car in sight to the tagline "Copy Nothing"?

Jaguar should probably stick with its new direction for now, if only because backtracking would fortify the impression it doesn't have any idea what it's doing. And the old Jaguar clearly wasn't working, whatever nostalgia anyone might have for the brand and its prior GT and sports cars

Again, the idea going forward is for Jaguar to sell fewer cars at higher price points, shifting from an everyday Lexus or Mercedes competitor to something more like Aston Martin lite; the company is said to be more profitable at lower volumes than at higher ones. It has buzz on its side with the current rebrand, which could be enough to get people to fork over six figures for new Jags.

source: https://www.motortrend.com/news/jaguar-rebrand-possibly-getting-rebrand-again/photos

by Alexander Stoklosa

Porsche - Repair and Service Redwood City - Porsche raises 600,000 euros for charity at Le Mans- Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

 

Porsche has raised 600,000 euros for charity after their factory 963 Hypercars completed a total of 1,159 laps at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Porsche Penske works team at the FIA World Endurance Championship round raised funds for the non-profit children’s charities, Interplast Germany e.V. and Kinderherzen retten e.V..

Their Racing for Charity initiative has run for three consecutive Le Mans, having begun in 2023, during which 500 euros is donated for every lap completed by each of the Porsche Penske cars, of which there were three this year, following the #4 963’s win of the 2024 IMSA GTP championship title.

Porsche raised 579,500 euros for this year’s effort but has rounded that up to 600k.

Racing for Charity has raised over 2.4 million euros since 2023. Kinderherzen retten e.V. collaborates with the University Hospital Freiburg to provide children with life-changing, one-time surgeries.

Interplast Germany e.V. focuses on humanitarian plastic surgery for treatment addressing accidents, burns, congenital malformations, or chronic wounds.

Porsche Penske fought hard to challenge the #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P, which won. Kevin Estre asserted a monstrous opening stint in the #6 Porsche from the back of the 21-car Hypercar field towards the front.

The #6 Porsche Penske crew of Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell ended up in the highest-placed finish out of the Porsche Penskes, in second place after completing 387 laps, just 14.084 seconds behind the winning #83 Ferrari.

Their #5 Porsche driven by Julien Andlauer, Michael Christensen and Mathieu Jaminet followed in sixth position (386 laps) and the #4 Porsche trio of Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy and Pascal Wehrlein in eighth (386 laps).

 

source: https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/06/20/porsche-raises-600000-euros-for-charity-at-le-mans/

by Mohammed Rehman