BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - All of the wheels, all of the power; meet the new 2018 BMW M5 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Perhaps you've heard rumors that the new BMW M5 would be all-wheel drive. Or whispers that it would be more complicated than grad-level calculus. Or even hints that it may lack a third pedal for the first time in more than three decades. 

BMW on Monday confirmed all of the above. But there's more. Oh, so much more.

The automaker announced that the 2018 BMW M5 will arrive in the U.S. next year—sometime after February, but before June—to patient hands willing to likely pay more than six figures for the privilege. The BMW M5 will be powered by largely the same engine found in the last iteration, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 that's been boosted to 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. A special edition of the outgoing M5, sold in extremely limited quantities in the U.S., produced nearly the same power.

Power isn't the new M5's only game, though. The new M5 will feature the first application of BMW's new all-wheel-drive system that can be configured for rear-wheel-drive only. According to BMW, the all-wheel-drive system, which BMW calls xDrive, can be specified in rear-drive configuration with traction control systems reduced—or completely disabled. In normal circumstances, the M5 operates in all-wheel drive, which helps the M5 rocket toward 60 mph in 3.2 seconds (compared to 3.6 seconds for the outgoing model). An all-wheel-drive sport mode can be selected for more slip and rearward bias, and a rear-wheel-drive lassez-aller mode can be dialed in and you're on your own, pal.

Even with the all-wheel-drive traction, the new M5's newfound acceleration could be partly attributed to help by Jenny Craig. Despite the new, complicated all-wheel-drive system, the new M5 weighs roughly the same as the outgoing M5 and a few dozen pounds less than the 2018 BMW M550i xDrive. Official U.S. specs haven't been made public, but BMW announced that without pesky humans, the overseas M5 would weigh about 4,090 pounds.

Stateside purists may bemoan the lack of a manual transmission on the new M5, but at least no one else will have the option. BMW told us that the new M5 will be offered exclusively with an 8-speed automatic—and that's it. That may not be the end of the story: the last M5 included a competition package and 30-year anniversary model that increased power output and performance. In other words, stay tuned.

Inside, the M5 acquits itself more toward the driver with a dizzying array of performance settings, steering wheel controls, and transmission-mounted buttons to configure the sedan's power. A new M shifter will debut on the M5, which appears closer to a jet-fighter's thrust lever than a gear selector. A rocker switch on top of the gear shifter can toggle among three settings for transmission behavior and shift speed: Mode 1 for efficient driving, Mode 2 for sporty driving, and Mode 3 for full-on German speed metal. Switches on the center tunnel will control suspension, throttle, and steering behavior with your right foot and courage acting as the last lines of defense.

When it goes on sale in spring 2018, the M5 will initially be offered in a "First Edition" trim that adds a numbered plaque, 20-inch wheels, red paint and white leather. Only 50 examples have been dedicated for the U.S. and, wait—they're probably gone. 

Standard versions of the M5 will have 19-inch wheels wrapped with ZR-rated rubber that'll presumably hold on tight as the sedan reaches its optionally available 189 mph top speed (155 mph is the norm, if you need to know.)The M5 will ditch its hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering setup for an electronic system with a noticeably quicker ratio. The new rack's speed has been quickened to 14.3:1, which is faster than the last-generation's 12.7:1 setup, but considerably slower than the competition model's impossibly fast 18.0:1.

You could say: "Wow, the new BMW M5 has become impossibly complicated for a sport sedan, now." But by the time you say those words, the M5 will be traveling faster than a mile a minute.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1112215_all-of-the-wheels-all-of-the-power-meet-the-new-2018-bmw-m5

by Aaron Cole

Http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet concept: Does this hood make me look expensive?- Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

It's clear that the electric vehicles of the future will probably look like the cars of the past. At least, the expensive ones will.

Mercedes-Maybach pulled the cover off its latest concept car during Monterey Car Week on Friday night, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet. The concept is a droptop version of the Vision 6 concept coupe that we saw last year. (The "6" refers to the length, nearly 6 meters long or 222 inches.)

Although functionally the same as the coupe concept, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet loses the split rear window from last year's car in favor of a soft top roof and a yacht-sized rear deck. The interior looks largely the same as the coupe's: a hint of art deco, a little mid-mod, and a lot of money. The lounge-like accommodations inside look like they'd be equally comfortable with Frank Sinatra or with Frank Sinatra's hologram.

Interestingly, Mercedes is claiming specific details about the powertain, including the battery electric system that powers the Vision 6. Mercedes claims that the Maybach concepts are powered by four electric motors with a combined motor output of around 750 horsepower, a 200-mile all-electric range, and a 350-watt DC fast charging system that can gather 60 miles of electrons in less than five minutes. That kind of specificity is somewhat rare for the concept-car world, many may as well run on weaponized unicorn tears.

To our eyes, there's no functional reason that the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 needs an Olympic-sized hood, but the automaker has answered our questions and solved a long-running problem for electric cars: "Whatcha got under there?" Under the butterfly hood cover, the Maybach reveals a beautifully finished, customized storage cabinet for umbrellas, drinks kits, chinaware, or custom-sized luggage. It may well be the most expensive pattern block puzzle for adults in the world.

There are details that won't make it past the lawn at Pebble too, we'd guess. The alien spaceship dash and exposed transmission-tunnel tentacles live in the fantasy world, for example. And the Maybach appears to be missing turn signals, which won't be a problem in Florida but will be everywhere else.

Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 may have a future in production at some point soon, as the automaker has hinted before. The hood, rear end, and tall grille seem to be in line with the ultra-luxury brand's styling ethos.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1112204_vision-mercedes-maybach-6-cabriolet-concept-does-this-hood-make-me-look-expensive
by Aaron Cole

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster spy shots - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Remember the stunning Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato coupe unveiled last summer?

Well, the car is about to spawn both a Vanquish Zagato Volante convertible and a permanently roofless Vanquish Zagato Speedster.

Both cars are expected to be revealed during the 2017 Monterey Car Week in mid-August.

Aston Martin has already previewed the convertible and today we have new photos of the speedster courtesy of a prototype spotted at the Nürburgring and on some of the German race track's surrounding roads.

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato concept, 2016 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este

We know this is the Vanquish Zagato Speedster because of the massive buttresses behind the cabin. There’s also the fact that the test driver at one point was cruising around without a roof despite torrential rain.

In contrast, the Vanquish Zagato Volante will feature the automated soft-top roof found on the regular Vanquish Volante.

Aston Martin is only building 99 Vanquish Zagato coupes. An equal number of Vanquish Zagato Volante convertibles are planned. The Vanquish Zagato Speedster, however, is expected to be built in a smaller run of just 28 examples.

All three feature special design touches penned by Italian design house Zagato, with the standout feature being the “bladed'” LED taillights. The cars also receive a 592-horsepower version of Aston Martin’s outgoing 5.9-liter V-12. That’s 24 more horses than the regular Vanquish, or enough for 0-60 mph acceleration in around 3.5 seconds.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111720_2018-aston-martin-vanquish-zagato-speedster-spy-shots

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Learn to drive a new Audi R8 on a Formula One track - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Then learn to fly in an F-22 while you're at it?

Audi announced Thursday that it would offer to the public a driving program at Circuit of The Americas to whomp an Audi TT RS, RS 3, Q7*, or R8 V10 Plus around the famed circuit for an afternoon—or for two days.

The racetrack in Austin, Texas, is the newest host to Audi's program, which is offered in other worldwide locales. Prices range from $595 for a four-hour session on a handling course (aka not the track) to $4,995 for a two-day session on the track behind the wheel of a 610-horsepower Audi R8 V10 Plus. Classes start in August and can be booked all the way through the end of January.

Don't go scrounge for five grand and then raise your hand to charge up the long straight into the hairpin just yet: the two-day course is only available for people who've completed a one-day course beforehand, which costs $2,195. Now, go scrounge for about $7,200 to raise your hand and charge up the long straight into the hairpin.

Audi's school is held at one of America's most exciting tracks, which is home to the United States Grand Prix every year, along with countless other high-series races.

The Audi Driving Experience isn't a formalized step toward real-life racing. It's a safety demonstration and a great way to burn rubber, be safe, and have fun. It will also help you learn how to better handle your car. If you're interested in learning how to race, the Sports Car Club of America offers a list of driving schools that count toward applying for a novice license.

Audi isn't the only manufacturer to offer a performance driving school. Nearly every manufacturer has a high-performance school at dozens of tracks around the country, year-round. Most fall into the same price range as Audi's school, give or take, and these schools are a good idea for a few reasons. Namely, it's a safe environment to go nuts in a performance car without putting the rest of us at risk on public roads. Also, it makes available professional drivers who can answer that burning question most of us have at the back of our minds: "I'm basically a natural race car driver, despite having no experience, aren't I?"

Uh huh. Better opt for the extra insurance anyway.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1112036_learn-to-drive-a-new-audi-r8-on-a-formula-one-track

by Aaron Cole

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Land Rover ready to test Level 4 self-driving car in cities - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Land Rover self-driving prototype

Land Rover on Thursday announced it is ready to start testing Level 4 self-driving car prototypes on public roads in urban environments.

The prototypes are fitted with the British firm’s Autonomous Urban Drive technology which allows them to drive in complex environments without any driver involvement. According to Jaguar Land Rover, the prototypes have no problem obeying traffic lights as well as negotiating junctions and roundabouts. This is in contrast to some rival systems that are designed for simpler conditions such as highways and traffic jams.

Using Autonomous Urban Drive, a person only needs to select a location on the navigation and the prototype will decide the best route and head off. Jaguar Land Rover hasn’t detailed what conditions the system works within. It’s likely only set routes where highly detailed map data is available will be possible initially.

A self-driving car is considered to be at Level 4 capability if it can safely operate in specific conditions without the need of the driver. Should the car approach roads outside of the specific conditions, the driver will be requested to take over well in advance. If the driver fails to take over, the car will be able to safely bring itself to a stop.

Jaguar Land Rover self-driving prototype

Self-driving technology available today is at Level 2 capability. Here, the car can handle specific conditions on its own but requires a driver to constantly monitor in case of errors. Level 3 is similar to Level 4 but less capable and the warning time provided for the driver to take over is much shorter. Because of these shortcomings, many automakers are likely to skip Level 3 and go straight to Level 4.

Level 5, the ultimate goal, is where no driver is required whatsoever.

Jaguar Land Rover has been testing the technology at the HORIBA MIRA test site in the United Kingdom. With the tests on this closed-off environment successfully completed, the next phase will see the prototypes take to public roads in the cities of Milton Keynes and Coventry by the end of 2017.

The automaker expects to have the technology available for sale within the next decade.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111187_jaguar-land-rover-ready-to-test-level-4-self-driving-car-in-cities

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 Jaguar XJ gets 575-horsepower performance flagship - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Jaguar’s XJ is still one of the sharpest looking sedans on the market, though it’s starting to fall behind in the tech race. Jaguar has sought to address the issue with some 2018 model year updates—among which is the addition of a new XJR575 performance flagship.

Compared to the XJR, the XJR575 gets an additional 25 horsepower to bring the new total to 575 hp. There’s also a healthy 516 pound-feet of torque which should ensure strong acceleration in any gear. According to Jaguar, the XJR575 will sprint to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and top out at 186 mph.

Power still comes from a 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 which is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and drives the rear wheels only. An electronic differential helps to control torque between the rear wheels in an effort to aid handling. And for those who wish to take more control, there are steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

On the outside, the XJR575 sports an aero package plus a front bumper with gloss black accents for the air intakes. Hood vents, 20-inch gloss black wheels, red brake calipers, and special badging are also unique to the XJR. On top of this, customers have the choice of two bespoke colors: Velocity Blue and Satin Corris Gray.

Inside, the XJR575 gets unique door sills, diamond-quilted leather trim, and a “575” logo on each of the headrests. Color options for the trim are Jet/Jet and Ivory/Jet combinations.

Potential rivals for the XJR575 include the Audi S8 Plus and BMW M760i xDrive

2018 Jaguar XJR575

As for the rest of the updates to the XJ range, the infotainment system now sports a 10.0-inch touchscreen as its main point of input. There’s also new connectivity options including 4G Wi-Fi that enables up to eight devices to be connected to the Internet.

There is also the latest in electronic driver aids including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, front cross traffic warning, and a driver condition monitor that can determine whether the person behind the wheel is falling asleep.

Sales of the 2018 Jaguar XJ range start later this year.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111689_2018-jaguar-xj-gets-575-horsepower-performance-flagship

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 454-horsepower BMW M3 CS in the works? - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

2017 BMW M3

BMW seems to be making use of its multiple "CS" trademark filings because the latest news pegs a 454-horsepower BMW M3 CS to arrive next year.

In 2016, BMW filed to protect the "CS" name with trademarks ranging from "M1 CS" all the way to "M8 CS." The strategy is most certainly a way to keep up with Mercedes-AMG vehicles, which just had a banner year. The news of the next CS model comes from Bimmer Today, and the German publication reports many of the go-fast goodies found on the 2018 BMW M4 CS will make their way to the M3 CS sedan.

2017 Audi RS 7

The same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 will be on hand with all 454 hp being shifted via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Additionally, the rumored M3 CS will also boast many of the M4 CS' visual cues such as a carbon-fiber hood, more aggressive ventilation openings, a unique front spoiler, and plenty of lightweight elements in the cockpit. All of the added performance is said to be good for a 7:40 Nürburgring lap time, which would be just two seconds off its two-door cousin at 7:38.

However, news of an M3 CS also coincides with rumors of an M2 CS, which was expected to follow the M4 CS revealed this past April. The report signals a spring of 2018 reveal for the M3 CS, so maybe we will see two CS models debut in 2017. We're totally OK with more sporting BMWs in our lives as the 2018 BMW M5 nears its official reveal.

source : http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111645_454-horsepower-bmw-m3-cs-in-the-works

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Mercedes outlines 3-pronged approach to self-driving cars - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The race for the autonomous car is on, and how it will shake out is anyone's guess. The future could see fleets of automated taxis, people could subscribe to car companies and use an app to call up their autonomous pods, or buyers could choose to drive on their own, then flip a switch and let the car do the work.

Then again, all of these scenarios could play out, and Mercedes-Benz is taking a two-pronged approach to autonomous cars in the near future, with another approach planned for later.

Motor Authority was recently part of a round-table interview with Mercedes-Benz research and development chief Ola Källenius, who shed some light on the automaker's plans for the autonomous car.

Before we get into Källenius' remarks, a little primer on the levels of autonomy is in order. Levels 0 and 1 have been surpassed, so they aren't important. Level 2 cars are on the road today. A Level 2 car can take control of the car in limited situations, but the driver must be at the ready constantly to back up the system should it fail or when the system can't handle a change in the situation.

2019 Audi A8 laser scanner

A Level 3 car can handle all driving operations in limited situations, but it still needs a driver to take over control, after ample warning, outside of these limited situations. Audi has said the next A8 will offer Level 3 autonomy. A Level 4 car can drive itself at all times but not in all conditions. It may have driver controls for a human to take over, but they are not necessary.

A Level 5 car drives itself at all times in all conditions, including bad weather and on dirt roads. It has no need for driver controls.

Mercedes is working on Level 3 and Level 4/5 cars at the same time.

S-Class to go Level 3

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the E-Class for that matter, both qualify as Level 2 autonomous cars. Källenius calls the S-Class Level 2 plus, and says "if we would take the inhibitors out, then it could do Level 3 in many, many, many driving situations."

Källenius gave his definition for a Level 3 car: "You can, in general terms say that the Level 3 is a system by which you can let the car drive and you can look the other way and you are not responsible for a certain use-case but not all the time. That technology, we believe, will come and we are working on it."

Mercedes-Benz and Bosch Automated Valet Parking

However, regulations the world over are standing in the way of developing both Level 3 and Level 4/5 cars. "The regulatory environment is still very heterogeneous both on Level 3 and Level 4 and Level 5. At the moment, we are in discussions with authorities literally around the world to nail that down and try to create as a homogeneous set of requirements as possible because, for consistency reasons and also engineering reasons, the closer those regulatory frameworks are, the better," Källenius explained.

Once the regulatory environment is clear, Mercedes needs to further develop the technology and make it safe. "You would have to add some more on the sensing side and you would also have to add what we think would be the only responsible way of doing it, redundant braking and redundant steering," Källenius said. "The sensing technologies of the future is a blend of cameras, lidars, and radars. Those three layers of sensing basically replaces the eyes and the ears of the human being. It needs to be able to see and hear whatever the human being sees and hears," he noted.

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Once it feels the technology is up to its high standards, Mercedes will release a Level 3 S-Class. "We are working intensely on that and that is not that far away," Källenius said optimistically.

Full autonomy replaces drivers with robot taxis

Källenius calls the Level 4/5 car a robot car that drives itself. He says Mercedes is concentrating on the taxi market for this type of car simply due to cost. The problem is drivers get replaced by the cars themselves.

"It is phenomenally expensive to do this and the number of sensors you have to put on the car, the computing part and so on, is in tens of thousands of dollars once you get it into production. Where do you have a business case for something like that? You have it in a robot taxi scenario, where you can take a city or part of a city and say, 'OK, I am going to put 100, 200, 300, 1000, whatever robot taxis into this area,' because the amortization comes through not paying the driver. If you think about what the driver earns per year, depending on how many hours that car is in operation, that easily get into the tens of thousands of dollars, so you can have a very quick amortization on a Level 4 or Level 5," he explained.

What are the barriers to Level 4/5 technology? Oddly, Källenius said it's not the infrastructure. "Since you cannot expect the whole world to equip itself with infrastructure to support the first generation of autonomous cars, our approach is the car has to do it on its own. One thing, though, which is absolutely crucial is that you need an HD map, a high-definition map," he said. Mercedes, along with BMW and Audi acquired Nokia's HERE mapping company in 2015. Källenius says that entity is developing HD maps right now.

The timing for Level 4/5? Källenius says 2020-2025 to start, and that Mercedes will grow it through its own mobility services arm car2go or through a mobility services partner.

A third prong and an advantage

Further down the road, Källenius sees a third prong: "You will then have robot taxis in cities and you will have a sophisticated Level 3 system that could be a highway pilot or other use-cases in parallel. Eventually, technologically, these come together...at the point where, we, through economies of scaling and clever engineering, have brought the cost down to a point where it can be an attractive option."

How does that play out? According to Källenius, when you go buy your new S-class, or perhaps your high-end E-Class, you will be able to choose a computer-driver option.

Källenius feels Mercedes-Benz is in a unique position to have success with autonomous cars. "We are working on all three [strategies]. We think that an advantage for Mercedes is that through quick proliferation through our different models, on the Level 2 plus and the Level 3, we very quickly get into the tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions [of autonomous vehicles]. Whereas many other brands that don't have the position or pricing segment cannot get there as quickly. So we will push both strands at the same time. That is our strategy."

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111847_mercedes-outlines-3-pronged-approach-to-self-driving-cars/page-2

by Kirk Bell

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Aston Martin created the coolest soapbox racer: a mini Vantage GTE - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Motorsport encompasses so many different kinds of racing that, often times, some get lost in the shuffle.

Soapbox racing is certainly one that gets overlooked, but Aston Martin has brought attention to the sport by putting together the Red Bull Racing Soapbox team. (Recall, Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing have a technical partnership.)

With a little help from one of the most successful Formula One teams of the modern era, it's no surprise that the Red Bull Racing Soapbox team has created one of the coolest soapbox racers we've ever seen. It's a miniature Aston Martin Vantage GTE—the car that in life-size form just won its class in the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The soapbox racer made its debut at the recent 24 Seconds of Le Ally Pally and placed second overall. At the very least, Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin were hoping to deliver an entertaining run, but the duo ending up leaving as second place finishers.

Aston Martin also scored well in the creativity competition and earned 28 points out of a possible 40. Meanwhile, it scored the maximum amount in the performance category—40 out of 40 points.

"Everything about the day was incredible and the run itself was a memorable experience," Aston Martin Prototype Engineer Alex Summers, who drove thesoapbox racer, said in a statement. During his run, he clocked 29 mph and caught some pretty incredible air at each ramp obstacle.

To add to the authenticity, Aston Martin also brought a pit stop experience before the race start and a handful of confetti cannons for good measure. We wish our workdays were half as fun as what went on at this event.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111484_aston-martin-created-the-coolest-soapbox-racer-a-mini-vantage-gte

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2017 Audi RS 7 Performance first drive review: living with a $137K hatchback - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

2017 Audi RS 7

Audi Sport's slogan is "Born on the track. Built for the road." While most of us would love to test the limits of any Audi Sport model on a racetrack, we'd also be happy to merely have the opportunity to slide behind the wheel of any RS model for a week, especially if it's a $137,000 RS 7 Performance. I had that chance recently, and I learned quite a bit about what it's like to live with a six-figure hatchback.

The power is intoxicating.

The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 and 8-speed automatic combination is magic. To make a pass, simply think about it, rotate your right foot a few degrees, and the car makes mince meat of its prey. I'm not even sure it happens in that order. And that's with the engine and transmission in the base Comfort mode, which also delivers imperceptibly smooth shifts up through the gears. 

The V-8 puts out 605 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, but Audi has an overboost mode that increases torque to 553 lb-ft when the transmission is in manual mode or you choose the Dynamic setting from the drive mode selector. Then, the RS 7 slays the 0-60 mph run in 3.6 seconds, aided by the hook from the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. However, Dynamic makes the transmission maintain low gears and the throttle touchy, creating a jumping driving experience in traffic. It's great for performance driving, but it's best to avoid on the street.

Fuel economy is acceptable.

The trade-off for all that power? Middling fuel economy, yet it won't break the bank, especially with today's reasonable prices. Over 381 miles with a pretty even mix of city and highway driving, I averaged 18.9 mpg. I can live with that.

The ride is remarkable.

Audi sets the RS 7 Performance on 21-inch wheels with 275/35 tires. It also has a Dynamic Ride Control suspension with steel springs and adaptive dampers that are linked diagonally (the base RS 7 gets an air suspension). When a force acts on an outside wheel, the opposite damper firms up to reduce body roll.

Surprisingly, this setup also rides fairly well, too, despite those big 21-inch wheels and those short 35-series sidewalls. Yes, sharp potholes can pound through, and the ride is somewhat firm, but it's amazing how forgiving it is given the serious hardware Audi employs. Again, the Comfort mode for the damper control helps. In fact, I'd recommend Comfort for most settings, other than, perhaps, the engine sound, in most everyday driving.

The price is mind-boggling.

The car I tested was the not so succinctly named 2017 RS 7 Performance 4.0T Quattro Tiptronic. It came with a base price of $129,500, and added Panther Black crystal effect paint ($1,075) that would make Darth Vader jealous; a black Alcantara headliner for a mere $3,000; the Driver Assistance package ($2,450) with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, active lane assist, corner view cameras, and automatic high beams--really, this isn't included in the $130K base price? Add in the $950 destination charge and the total came to $136,975.

In addition to the engine and transmission, the RS 7 comes with carbon-ceramic brakes, a sport exhaust system, a sport differential, the Dynamic Ride Control suspension, sport-tuned steering, and the 21-inch wheels and tires.

That's all great stuff, but is it worth a nearly $50,000 premium over the S7's $81,200 base price? Unless you are truly going to track this car, I don't think so. It might have been born on the track, but it's going to spend the vast majority of its time on the street. Save yourself $50k, and go with the S7.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111870_2017-audi-rs-7-performance-first-drive-review-living-with-a-137k-hatchback

by Kirk Bell

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - British billionaire confirms plan to build Defender-like SUV - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Jim ratcliffe

Last summer, reports emerged of the plans of British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe to resurrect the iconic Land Rover Defender that went out of production the previous January.

Ratcliffe, the chairman and founder of British chemicals giant Ineos, had been in talks with Jaguar Land Rover about buying the Defender’s intellectual property rights or some of its tooling to restart production. But with Land Rover planning a modern Defender for 2018, those talks didn’t progress far.

Determined to bring to market a rugged, utilitarian off-roader like the Defender and target mining explorers, forestry workers and farmers, as well as off-road enthusiasts, Ratcliffe enlisted a team of experts to determine whether Ineos could go about developing the vehicle itself.

Ratcliffe has since confirmed that after conducting a six-month feasibility study, the project has been given the green light. The goal is to develop a vehicle like the Defender minus shortcomings such as poor drivability and outdated emissions and safety standards, and have it ready in the next two to three years.

“I am a great admirer of the old Land Rover Defender and have enormous respect for its off road capability,” Ratcliffe said in a statement. “But whilst our off-roader might share its spirit, our new car will be a major improvement on previous models.”

Handing the development will be a new division at Ineos dubbed Ineos Automotive. The division will be headed by Dirk Heilmann, formerly head of engineering and technology at the chemicals giant.

Ineos is currently searching for a suitable manufacturing location either in the United Kingdom or other European options. The company is hoping to build between 15,000 and 20,000 units annually. It's too early to talk pricing but Ineos has hinted at a starting price of less than $65,000. Crucially, the vehicle will be sold worldwide.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1105070_british-billionaire-confirms-plan-to-build-defender-like-suv

by Vinesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Rare 1961 Jaguar E-Type found in pieces to be completely restored - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth plans to undertake quite a challenge, signing on to fully restore a 1961 Jaguar E-Type that was found in pieces. But this isn't your ordinary E-Type.

CMC has identified the car as chassis number 875256, which happens to be one of the very first left-hand drive roadsters with the outside hood lock. To boot, each piece and component features matching numbers and Jaguar's famed 3.8-liter 6-cylinder engine is present. The engine made 265 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in its prime.

The 1961 E-Type was delivered to the Belgium Motor Company dealership in Brussels in July 1961 and was sold shortly thereafter. 54 years later, the car was found in France with documentation revealing it had been imported from Luxembourg in 1975. The previous owner planned to restore the car himself, but work ended shortly thereafter. Now, CMC will take on the job, despite the fact it remains in pieces.

1961 Jaguar E-Type to be restored by Classic Motor Cars

"It will be a challenging project but all the factory parts are there and our skilled fabricators and technicians will do all they can to save as much of the original car as possible. It will roll out of our workshops just like it left Browns Lane in 1961,” David Barzilay, Chairman of CMC, said.

CMC may be the best restoration experts for the job. In 2016, the company completed a nut and bolt restoration of E-Type chassis number 15, which was found in an abysmal state. This E-Type is most definitely in good hands, but judging by the photos, it has a long road ahead of it.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111779_rare-1961-jaguar-e-type-found-in-pieces-to-be-completely-restored
by: Sean Szymkowski

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BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 BMW M8 race car first look - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

2020 BMW M8 spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Behold the new BMW M8 race car that will be taking to top circuits around the globe in 2018.

The car is still heavily camouflaged but it’s easy to make out the general shape. And take away the pumped fenders and aerodynamic elements and you’re pretty much looking at the new BMW 8-Series coupe due on the market in late 2018 or early the following year.

BMW confirmed it was working on an M8 race car in May, when it revealed a prototype for a new M8 road car. The two are being developed in parallel, just like Ford did with its GT supercar.

BMW is developing the M8 race car to both GTE and GT Le Mans (GTLM) specifications for the respective World Endurance Championship and United SportsCar Championship. The car will be replacing the current M6-based race car in the latter.

Not only does it mean BMW is returning to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the French classic is the highlight of the WEC, but it also means we’ll see the new M8 race car compete against cars based on the Aston Martin Vantage, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari 488, Porsche 911, and the aforementioned Ford GT.

These teaser photos show the M8 race car in GTE specification. They were taken during an initial shakedown test at the Lausitzring near the German city of Leipzig. On hand to test the car were BMW DTM drivers Martin Tomczyk and Maxime Martin.

“The BMW M8 GTE is good to drive from the outset, and it is easy for us drivers to work out the way it handles, which is important,” Tomczyk said after the initial 3-day test. “We got a lot of kilometers under our belt, and gathered a lot of data.”

There are still many more tests to undergo, including at circuits in North America. The competition debut will take place at the opening round of the 2018 United SportsCar Championship, next January’s 24 Hours of Daytona. A reveal, however, should take place in late 2017

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111633_2018-bmw-m8-race-car-first-look
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

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