Bentley - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 Bentley Continental GT spy shots and video - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Bentley’s Continental GT is now one of the oldest models in production, with the original coupe having first appeared on the scene as far back as the 2003 Geneva auto show.

Yes, the vehicle has undergone numerous updates since then but the basic styling and underlying platform have continued unchanged over the years.

A successor is coming soon and we now have new spy shots and video of a prototype.

2018 Bentley Continental GT spy video from Motor Authority

What’s immediately clear is that Bentley’s EXP 10 Speed 6 concept from 2015 was the inspiration for the design. The redesigned Continental GT is adopting a sleeker, more dynamic look than the current model and should prove to be a stunner. A peek inside also reveals some new details like the digital instrument cluster.

This isn’t a production version of the EXP 10 Speed 6 as some have reported, as the car’s size is comparable with the current Continental GT and in some of the shots you can make out a 2+2 seating arrangement. The EXP 10 Speed 6, if approved for production, will be a proper sports car with only two seats.

Underpinning the redesigned Continental GT is the Volkswagen Group’s MSB platform designed for large, rear- and all-wheel-drive cars with engines mounted up front. The platform made its debut in the 2017 Porsche Panamera.

2018 Bentley Continental GT spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Porsche was in charge of development of the platform, which thanks to increased use of lightweight materials such as high-strength steel and aluminum in its construction should result in significant weight savings for the redesigned Continental GT. The platform will also end up in a redesigned Flying Spur.

Bentley’s redesigned Continental GT should once again offer both W-12 and V-8 engine options. While it’s unlikely we’ll see a diesel engine fitted to the car, a plug-in hybrid option has been confirmed. The W-12 should be the only option at launch. It will be the new twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 with direct fuel injection that made its debut in the 2017 Bentley Bentayga. Factor on an output of at least 600 horsepower, up from the 582 hp found in the latest 2017 model.

The redesigned Continental GT should make its debut soon. It will arrive on the market late this year or early next, as a 2018 model. Shortly after the arrival of the coupe, Bentley will launch a redesigned Continental GT Convertible.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1027709_2018-bentley-continental-gt-spy-shots-and-video

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Audi promises fully self-driving car by 2021 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Audi has promised to launch a fully self-driving car by 2021.

The target date is a popular one as it’s close enough to be practical but at the same time far enough that should the target be missed few are likely to remember. Other automakers with a similar target include BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Tesla and Volvo.

Audi’s self-driving car will be a small city car produced in limited numbers and most likely for trial use only rather than for direct sale to the public. Audi first hinted at a small city car with the unveiling of the Urban concept car at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show.

Audi has been tasked with developing self-driving technology for the Volkswagen Group. In March, it established the standalone unit Autonomous Intelligent Driving which is focused on developing the technology, dubbed Piloted Driving by the automaker.

We won’t have to wait until 2021 to see an Audi with self-driving capability, however. In June, Audi will unveil a redesigned A8 sedan. It will be the first model to offer Level 3 self-driving capability, meaning that in certain situations the car will be able to handle itself, providing the driver with a hands-off, eyes-off experience. Outside of those situations, the driver will be forced to take over.

Audi’s self-driving car due in 2021 will likely be a Level 4 car. This means it will be able to handle itself in certain situations, but outside of those situations the car will be able to bring itself safely to a stop should the driver fail to respond. This is the key difference to a Level 3 self-driving car. A Level 5 self-driving car is the ultimate goal. This is where a car can handle itself in all situations, thus requiring no driver on board.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1110593_audi-promises-fully-self-driving-car-by-2021

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 Land Rover Range Rover spy shots - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

For years, Land Rover’s Range Rover was unparalleled in the luxury SUV segment. But with demand for SUVs soaring over the past decade it was only a matter of time until rivals started to challenge it: Bentley and Mercedes-Maybach have joined the SUV game and soon Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce will, too.

The current, fourth-generation Range Rover is still hard to beat when it comes to an SUV that offers sublime luxury and serious off-roading potential. However, Land Rover isn’t resting on its laurels and will soon update the vehicle.

The Range Rover and its Range Rover Sport cousin are approaching the midway point in their respective life cycles and to keep them fresh Land Rover will introduce some updates. We’ve already spied a prototype for the updated version of the Range Rover Sport and today it’s the Range Rover which is the focus of our spy shots.

 

2018 Land Rover Range Rover facelift spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

The shots of the interior reveal Land Rover’s latest infotainment system which integrates two 10-inch touchscreen displays will be introduced to the updated Range Rover. The system made its debut in the 2018 Range Rover Velar. The controls on the steering wheel also appear to have been updated.

On the outside, the prototype is sporting a new grille, a new front bumper and some tweaks to the lights at both ends. The wheel pattern in some of the shots is also one we haven’t seen on the Range Rover before.

This prototype is also for an electrified version of the Range Rover, as indicated by the warning stickers on the front and rear windshields. Land Rover already sells a diesel-electric hybrid version of the Range Rover (and Range Rover Sport) in some markets but this prototype is thought to be a new plug-in hybrid model utilizing an inline-4 gasoline engine for its internal combustion component.

Land Rover previewed the technology in 2015 in its Range Rover Sport Concept_e PHEV. The concept featured an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission. The electric motor was powered by a lithium-ion battery stored in the trunk and could drive the vehicle on its own as well as aid the gas engine during high-load situations.

No changes are expected for the rest of the powertrain lineup. The Range Rover in the United States is currently offered with options of a 340-horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V-6, a 254-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 diesel, a 510-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V-8, and a 550-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V-8. All models get an 8-speed automatic and four-wheel drive.

The current Range Rover was introduced for 2013. The updated version is expected to be introduced later this year, as a 2018 model.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1102594_2018-land-rover-range-rover-spy-shots#image=100604662

by Viknesh Vijaenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Documentary series dives into the Mercedes-AMG GT R and its ties to the Nürburgring - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Mercedes-AMG gave the GT R a proper nickname after showcasing its latest creation to the automotive world: The Beast of The Green Hell. The Beast is the Mercedes-AMG GT R; The Green Hell is none other than the Nürburgring.

Mercedes-AMG has put together a new, five-part documentary series to showcase the GT R and its ties to the world's most famed race track: the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Through five episodes, the brand takes viewers from the very inception of what would become the 'Ring to proving the AMG GT R at the historic race track. Along the way, there's plenty of nostalgia, memories, warm-fuzzy feelings for enthusiasts, and behind-the-scenes shots of the making of a commercial for the GT R.

Episode one is all about the Nürburging, tracing its roots to before World War I. Episode two focuses on the development of the AMG GT R and its extensive testing at the 'Ring, where it spent hundreds, and thousands of hours at the track's demanding 12.8-mile stretch of road.

Moving right along, episode three deals with the promotional campaign for the Mercedes-AMG GT R, and the making of the "The Beast of The Green Hell" commercial. This one focuses on the filming done in the jungles of Thailand. It follows the challenges the production team faced while filming and how the idea came to be. Episode four is an extension of three, which again talks about the promotional campaign, but instead shows filming at the Nürburgring and features Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton found out about his role in the campaign just a few weeks before filming began.

Finally, episode five is the crescendo of countless hours at the Nürburgring. It came down to one moment: a lap time. The Mercedes-AMG GT R dashed the 12.8-mile circuit in 7:10.92. For some perspective, that's 30 seconds faster than the 2017 Honda Civic Type-R and only 11 seconds slower than the Lamborghini Aventador SV, which has 163 additional horsepower.

Capability does cost you, though. The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R arrives with a $157,995 price tag. But, after watching the documentary series, such a price tag seems justifiable. 

Click on the video above to watch episode one and just keep watching to see all five videos in this series. You'll learn quite a bit about the car, the Nürburgring, and the world of advertising.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1110720_documentary-series-dives-into-mercedes-amg-gt-r-and-its-ties-to-the-nrburgring

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 BMW M5 partially revealed thanks to "Need For Speed" cover art - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

On the surface, today's announcement surrounding a new "Need For Speed" title is a joyous occasion for gamers and racing fans alike. But, taking a closer look reveals something hidden in plain site.

That something is the 2018 BMW M5, which we can say with almost 100 percent certainty is sitting smack-dab on the front of the "Need For Speed Payback" cover artwork. The latest installment in the "Need For Speed" franchise was revealed earlier this morning with the cover art attached to the premiere trailer. Have a look at a spy shot and compare the photos yourself.

Judging by previously snapped spy shots, the grille, bumper and headlight shapes match pretty well to the blue car in the photo seen here. The design also does not evoke 3- 4- or 7-Series styling; it looks like a 5-Series through and through.

The 2018 BMW M5's inclusion in the latest "Need For Speed" game isn't far-fetched either. The car has been a part of the franchise for years and the 2018 M5 shouldn't be short on performance credentials. A 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine will sit under the hood, and its undisclosed horsepower (likely above 600) will be sent to BMW's M xDrive all-wheel-drive system; the system can switch to a full rear-wheel-drive bias at the touch of a button.

As for the game, "Need For Speed Payback" follows up 2015's reboot simply titled "Need For Speed." The game promises a "Fast and Furious"-like storyline, immense customization, and, of course, fast cars. Check out more about the game in the trailer above.

BMW is expected to reveal the 2018 M5 later this year. Running parallel, "Need For Speed Payback" will be released on November 10.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1110801_2018-bmw-m5-partially-revealed-thanks-to-need-for-speed-cover-art

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Jaguar confirms 600-horsepower XE SV Project 8 super sedan - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

It wasn’t that long ago that the 503 horsepower in the Mercedes-AMG C63 S seemed like an insurmountable output for a small sport sedan. However, Jaguar is about to blow all competition out of the water with its XE SV Project 8.

Set to debut next month at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the XE SV Project 8 is a follow-up to 2014’s F-Type Project 7 and destined to become the most powerful Jaguar road car ever built.

Up front sits Jaguar’s ubiquitous 5.0-liter supercharged V-8, tuned here to deliver 600 horsepower and mated to an all-wheel-drive system. We're talking BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 S territory, but the aluminum-constructed XE is a much lighter car.

The teaser shots reveal a much wider track than in the regular XE, especially at the rear. You’ll also notice a vented hood, front splitter, quad-exhaust tips, and a massive rear wing.

Jaguar is yet to reveal more as development, which includes high-speed testing at the Nürburgring, is ongoing. Handling the development is the SVO skunk works which will be assembling much of the car by hand.

“The time is right for SVO to produce the most extreme performance road car in the history of Jaguar,” SVO boss John Edwards said in a statement. “Our clients worldwide were thrilled by the F-Type Project 7; the new XE SV Project 8 takes aerodynamics and performance engineering to another level.”

Sadly, only 300 of these babies will be built—for worldwide consumption. The good news is that the car will likely lead to a regular-production XE SVR, in the same way that the F-Type Project 7 led to the F-Type SVR.

Full details on the XE SV Project 8 will be revealed on June 28. The car will then be presented at the United Kingdom’s Goodwood Festival of Speed which starts the following day. For more coverage on the event, head to our dedicated hub.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1110662_jaguar-confirms-600-horsepower-xe-sv-project-8-super-sedan

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Bentley - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - New electric Bentley lined up for 2021 debut - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

EXP 12 Speed 6e show car being used to gauge customer reaction to electric Bentley; will use Porsche Mission E tech

Bentley is aiming to launch a 600bhp all-electric sports car by 2021 that’s capable of up to 310 miles on a single charge, Auto Express can reveal. 

The British manufacturer chose the Geneva Motor Show to evaluate reaction to the idea of an electric Bentley with the new EXP 12 Speed 6e concept. Bentley boss Wolfgang Durheimer told us that the show car stands for “pure electric driving but in Bentley style” and that “electric driving does not have any limits with respect to luxury and performance”.

The new car is understood to be at least four years away from production, but Durheimer confirmed that a Bentley EV would be based on the same J1 platform that will underpin Porsche’s upcoming Mission E saloon, and will be four-wheel drive. “We would have an electric power of around 450kW (604bhp) and we can go 450-500km (up to 310 miles) without being recharged,” he elaborated. 

Durheimer also added that Bentley was investing heavily in developing inductive charging and would do away with conventional cables, which are not deemed luxurious enough for customers. “Luxury and performance is not going to stop with electric drivetrains," said Durheimer. "To our customer base we say, ‘We have a good answer, don’t worry about it.'"

The electric Bentley will continue to adopt conventional design details such as a radiator grille and air vents, while the show car gave us a glimpse of “futuristic Bentley design DNA.” Durheimer also added that if Bentley were to do a two-seat roadster “this is how it would look”.

Before a full-electric model arrives, however, Bentley will introduce plug-in hybrid technology on all new models. The Bentayga SUV will be the first to feature a hybrid set-up, capable of up to 43 miles on electric power, while the new Continental GT that’s due by the end of the year will also be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.  

source: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bentley/98835/new-electric-bentley-lined-up-for-2021-debut

by Jonathan Burn

http://www.boscheuropean.com