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

BMW - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2027 BMW 7-Series spied with major update - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

 

 

 

BMW's current 7-Series is approaching the midway point of its lifecycle and, in traditional BMW fashion, is due for a refresh. Prototypes of the updated 7-Series have been spotted for the first time, revealing that major changes are in store for BMW's flagship sedan—far more than a typical mid-cycle update.

The current 7-Series, the seventh generation of the nameplate, was unveiled in 2022 as a 2023 model for the U.S. Its design, particularly at the front, was controversial, to put it mildly. The heavy camouflage on the prototypes suggests BMW is planning a completely new look.

The automaker is preparing to introduce a new design language with the arrival of its Neue Klasse range of EVs, the first of which—the iX3 compact crossover (name not yet confirmed)—is due later this year. Some existing models, including the 7-Series, will be updated to reflect the new technology and styling trends ushered in by the Neue Klasse. The 5-Series is another model set to adopt these design cues, as prototypes for the updated M5 have already been spotted testing.

On the 7-Series prototypes, new lighting elements are visible at both ends, though they are still makeshift units. It appears the split headlights of the current model will be replaced by single clusters, and the grille has been redesigned with a different sensor arrangement. The prototypes also feature new sensors in the windshield, which may indicate enhancements to BMW's Personal Pilot L3 automated driving system. Currently available in Germany, this system enables hands-free driving in limited conditions.

There aren’t any clear shots of the interior, but the updated 7-Series will likely adopt BMW’s next-generation interface, which debuts in the Neue Klasse EVs. Previewed in January at 2025 CES, this interface replaces the traditional gauge cluster with a head-up display spanning the base of the windshield. Additionally, a central touchscreen will handle infotainment and various vehicle functions.

Powertrains will likely remain mostly unchanged, though plug-in hybrid and fully electric i7 models may benefit from battery technology improvements introduced with the Neue Klasse EVs. One key advancement is a switch to cylindrical battery cells, which enhances capacity and efficiency.

The gas-powered lineup will continue to include turbocharged inline-6 and V-8 options, both featuring mild-hybrid technology. The inline-6 also serves as the internal combustion component in plug-in hybrid versions of the 7-Series.

Expect the updated 7-Series to debut in late 2026 or early 2027, likely as a 2027 model for the U.S.

 

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1145914_2027-bmw-7-series-spy-shots

 

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com

 

VW - Repair and Service Redwood City - VW ID.Every1 concept previews entry-level EV due in 2027 - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

 

Volkswagen is developing an entry-level electric vehicle set to debut in 2027, with a targeted starting price of around 20,000 euros (approximately $21,500). The ID.Every1 concept, unveiled on Wednesday, serves as a direct preview of this model. The name suggests that the production version may be called the ID.1.

Electric vehicles remain out of reach for many buyers due to their higher costs compared to comparable gas and diesel models. However, automakers are working to bridge this gap by introducing more affordable options.

VW plans to launch the ID.2—a subcompact hatchback, possibly carrying the Polo name—in 2026, with a targeted price of under 25,000 euros ($27,000). The design was previewed in 2023 with the ID.2all concept.

A related crossover will follow shortly after, along with sister models from other Volkswagen Group brands. VW has announced that an update on these models will be provided in the fall.

Volkswagen ID.Every1

 

Following these subcompact models, VW will introduce an even smaller electric hatchback, similar to the discontinued e-up! minicar. This production version of the ID.Every1 concept will utilize a lower-cost version of the current MEB dedicated EV platform found in models like the ID.4 and ID.Buzz. This modified platform is designed to be shorter than the standard MEB platform and features a single front-mounted motor. It will also underpin the ID.2 and its sibling models.

In the case of the ID.Every1, the platform supports a 94-hp front-mounted electric motor, a battery with a minimum range of 155 miles on the WLTP cycle (a lower figure is expected on the stricter EPA cycle), and a top speed of 81 mph. The concept measures just under 153 inches in length—comparable to a Mini Cooper—and offers seating for four, along with 10.8 cubic feet of rear storage.

Volkswagen ID.Every1

 The production version of the ID.Every1 is not expected to be sold in the U.S., as VW said the concept was designed for the European market. However, its design language will influence future VW models, including some that may be introduced in the U.S. This new aesthetic, created by VW design chief Andreas Mindt and his team, presents a friendlier look for the brand’s vehicles.

“The ID.Every1 has a self-assured appearance but remains likable, thanks to details such as the dynamic front lights and the smiling rear,” Mindt said in a statement. “These design elements make it more than just a car; they give it character and an identity that people can relate to.”

VW's push for more affordable EVs is part of its broader plan to launch nine new models by 2027. Looking further ahead, the automaker will introduce vehicles based on its next-generation dedicated EV platform, known as SSP. VW is already preparing its main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, to manufacture SSP-based models, beginning with the next-generation Mk9 Golf. A related T-Roc crossover will also be built in Wolfsburg.

While no exact timeline has been provided, the first SSP-based model was originally scheduled for 2026, though it is now expected to arrive in 2028 or later. The SSP platform is still set to underpin most of VW Group’s future EVs, featuring shared battery cells and common software across the lineup.

Source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1145682_vw-id-every1-concept-revealed

 

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com