BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 BMW Alpina B5 bows with 600-hp V-8, all-wheel drive- Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Can’t wait for BMW to launch its new M5? Well, semi-official BMW tuner Alpina has just dropped its own sledgehammer based on the latest 5-Series.

Yes, the latest 5-Series has spawned its Alpina B5 variant which once again sports a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8, 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It’s also being offered once again in either sedan or wagon body styles.

Peak output matches the 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque of the previous B5’s Edition 50 model, though the lighter weight of the latest 5-Series’ CLAR platform should improve the performance and handling. Alpina quotes a 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph.

Beyond the punchy powerplant, you get all the signature Alpina styling cues as well as a cabin lined in top shelf trim options. These include Nappa leather, real wood spanning the dash, and a custom instrument cluster. You also get a custom Alpina sports steering wheel.

The previous B5 was never sold in the United States and there’s a good chance this new one won’t come, either. The reason is competition with the M5 as well as the new M550i xDrive M Performance. That’s a shame. At least we still get its B7 big brother.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1109332_2018-bmw-alpina-b5-bows-with-600-hp-v-8-all-wheel-drive

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Aston Martin Will Make A Cheaper Mid-Engine Monster For Rich Peasants - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Photo Credit  - Freddy Hernandez

Hey, Normal Moneyed Guy—do you like the Aston Martin Valkyrie, but aren’t made of that much money? Like, you’ve just got a nice pile, but you’re not Scrooge McDuck or a Middle Eastern sheikh? Fortunately, Aston Martin has your back: the Valkyrie is the first of several planned mid-engine Astons, aimed squarely at regular old Ferrari and McLaren shoppers.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer told Car and Driver that the Valkyrie will be somewhat of a halo car for an entire mid-ship range of cars:

Valkyrie is the start of a mid-engine dynasty, if you want to call it that. The reason we’re doing it is to create a halo car, but also to create DNA for a mid-engined sports-car range.

Palmer didn’t specify what that range would look like, exactly, but with at least one more accessible mid-engine car on the way, it’s a safe bet that they’d like to poach a few folks away from buying a Lamborghini Huracán.

Best of all, Car and Driver notes that the Red Bull Racing Formula One team will also be involved in the other mid-ship cars’ development. More icing on that cake: a V12 engine seems likely for the car, as Palmer said it was aimed squarely at the similarly 12-cylinder Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. Given Palmer’s fondness for manuals and American customers’ high number of requests for three pedals, there’s an outside chance that it could even come with a manual gearbox. 

Palmer also confirmed that the idea for a mid-engine car for the slightly moneyed masses is already in the design studio. That’s all you, Our Startup Is Doing Okay Bro and 2015 Powerball Winner Who Didn’t Squander It All On Ferraris And Coke! 

Aston’s current line-up still has to hit its sales targets the Regular Ordinary Mid-Engine Supercar to move forward into engineering and further development, but the idea is there. Palmer admitted to C/D they’re broadening their range slowly and carefully to rival not only the likes of the 918 and LaFerrari with the Valkyrie, but also the Bentayga and the Cayenne with the DBX. 

source: http://jalopnik.com/aston-martin-will-make-a-cheaper-mid-engine-monster-for-1793118229

by Stef Schrader

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- Mick Schumacher becomes Mercedes brand ambassador, stars in car comedy video series - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Mercedes-Benz has signed up Mick Schumacher, son of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, as its newest brand ambassador.

And to kick off the partnership, Schumacher junior, who’s earned himself the nickname Quick Mick because of his winning performance on the race track, is starring in a series of car comedy videos called “Fahrschule Furious.” Fahrschule is German for “driving school.”

In the first episode, Mick meets his driving instructor for the first time. This instructor, German comedian Harry G, happens to have a Mercedes-AMG A45 for 18-year-old Mick to learn on. A little wink from Schumacher junior at the end suggests the instructor will be in for a surprise in later episodes. Mercedes tell us there are four more episodes in the pipeline.

When he’s not on brand ambassador duties for Mercedes, Mick is building up what could end up becoming a formidable motorsport career. This year he makes his debut in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship where he will race for Prema Powerteam, running the Mercedes-AMG Formula 3 engine. He’s already enjoyed some successes in Formula 4.

Sadly for Schumacher senior, the seven-time F1 champion is still recovering from a serious impact to the head caused by a skiing accident on December 29, 2013. For privacy, updates have been rare regarding his condition. The most recent came last November from Ross Brawn, who said there were “encouraging signs” regarding Schumacher’s recovery.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1109486_mick-schumacher-becomes-mercedes-brand-ambassador-stars-in-car-comedy-video-series

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 Audi S5 Sportback carries stuff, hits 60 mph in 4.5 seconds for $55,375 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Audi has unveiled a second iteration of its Q8 concept, one that hints at a more performance-oriented version of the upcoming coupe-like SUV.

Like the original Detroit auto show concept unveiled in January, the new Q8 Sport concept, which debuted on Tuesday at the 2017 Geneva auto show, also pairs a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 with a hybrid powertrain, although there are a few important differences.

On the performance front, rather than producing 442 horsepower, this orange example churns out 469 horsepower. Torque remains fixed at 516 pound-feet, although the sprint to 60 takes just 4.7 seconds to the standard Q8 concept's 5.4-second sprint, which we'll call a suitable improvement.

Part of this improved performance is down to a nifty electric compressor, first used on the SQ7 TDI—yes, Audi mentioned the letters T, D, and I at a major auto show without apologizing. The electric compressor arrangement picks up the slack for the exhaust gas-fed turbochargers. Basically, when the exhaust isn't up to the challenge of spooling the turbos, the compressor can step in and force-feed air

But Audi giveth, and Audi taketh away. Where the Q8 concept used a plug-in-hybrid setup, Audi is calling the Q8 Sport concept a mild hybrid. It doesn't have the 37 miles of electric range that the Detroit car had, instead offering up to 745 miles of overall range.

Aesthetic changes, meanwhile, go well beyond simply slapping the Detroit concept's body with Krypton Orange paint. We're loving the numerous black accents on the Q8 Sport concept's face, although the revised grille is a standout look. In back, this might not be a full-blown RS, but it wears that range's traditional oval exhausts as part of a reprofiled rear bumper. It's worth noting, however, all the stuff that hasn't changed.

Aside from the black accents, much of the front bumper and side sills are identical to the original Q8 concept. The wheels are the same, too. And while it's hard to tell whether Audi dropped the ride height for the Sport concept, it looks mostly the same as the Detroit auto show vehicle. With those limits in mind, not to mention the modest increase in output, Audi's decision to call its latest show vehicle the Q8 Sport concept rather than the RS Q8 concept, as had been expected, makes a lot of sense.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1109223_audi-q8-sport-concept-drops-plug-in-function-slashes-0-60-time

by Brandon Turkus

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Jaguar shows off its first all-electric car with a top speed of 200mph in London as it looks to take on rival Tesla - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

It is a brand which has traded on its bad boy reputation.

But Jaguar is now showing off its green credentials as the company tests its first ever electric concept car - right in the heart of London.

The all-electric sports car has a top speed of 200mph and is part of Jaguar's bid to take on electric car pioneer Elon Musk - whose Tesla vehicles have revolutionised the market – and beat him at his own game.

Jaguar's new I-PACE concept car was tested for the first time on the streets of the Olympic Park in London. 

Unlike a previous Jaguar marketing campaign which features British actors Tom Hiddleston, Mark Strong and Sir Ben Kingsley in 'villainous' Jag-driving roles, the new I-PACE aims to do good for the planet.

Jaguar says it has 'torn up the rule book' to create a svelte new five-seater that combines 'supercar looks, sports car performance and sports utility space' in a vehicle that can be charged at home from the domestic mains.

'It's very special to put the car outside and in the real-world', said Ian Callum, director of design at Jaguar. 

'You can see the true value of the I-PACE's dramatic silhouette and powerful proportions when you see it on the road, against other cars.

Running off electric power only means the new Jaguar has zero emissions of carbon dioxide or other pollutants and is therefore exempt from road tax and congestion charges in London and other towns and cities. 

Jaguar has already signalled its electric future by entering the Formula-E electric car championships and using the single-seat re-chargeable racing-cars as a test-bed and cheer-leader for its new electric vehicles.

The switch to electric is also necessary as Jaguar and other car-makers battle to meet tough new EU emissions targets or risk hefty penalties.

Described as a 'long distance sprinter', the I-PACE is powered by two electric motors – one attached to each axle front and back and together delivering 400 horsepower. equivalent to four Ford Fiestas

By 2020 Jaguar must cut the average carbon dioxide emitted by all the cars it sells by 45 per cent, compared to 2007 or face 'fines' of up to £90 ($110) per car.

Even once the UK leaves the EU, Jaguar will have to comply if it wants to sell to mainland Europe.

Jaguar Land Rover is also understood to be investigating setting up a battery plant in Britain, possibly in collaboration with other manufacturers. 

'The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of battery electric vehicle design.'

It will accelerate from rest to 60mph in just four seconds and boasts a range of around 300 miles – enough, says Jaguar, to handle the average commute for a week on a single charge. 

It can be fully charged in two hours, or achieve 80 per cent of that in 90 minutes. 

I-PACE STATS 

It will accelerate from rest to 60mph in just four seconds and boasts a range of around 300 miles.

It can be fully charged in two hours, or achieve 80 per cent of that in 90 minutes.

The I-PACE is powered by two electric motors – one attached to each axle front and back and together delivering 400 horsepower. equivalent to four Ford Fiestas.

Running off electric power only means the new Jaguar has zero emissions of CO2 or other pollutants. 

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4324308/Jaguar-shows-electric-car-speed-200mph.html

by Phoebe Weston

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar video preview - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

If the Evoque is too small and the Range Rover Sport too big, there still may be a Range Rover for you. Meet the 2018 Range Rover Velar, the new small SUV member in Land Rover's luxury lineup.

The Velar shares its running gear with the Jaguar F-Pace, and some proportions, too. But it has a look that's certainly distinct, one with pretty details like hidden door handles and, if you like, a blacked-out roof. The Velar's sleek design also hints at Land Rover's next generation of vehicles, and it's a look that's certainly welcome.

The Velar is still a Land Rover, though, and that means it has to be able to handle the rough stuff. While it may not be on the same level as Land Rover's Discovery, the vehicle is available with Land Rover's top-shelf off-road driving aids. These include hill descent (Hill Descent Control) and crawl (All Terrain Progress Control) functions as well as Land Rover’s brilliant off-road driving modes selector (Terrain Response 2). The latter optimizes performance on a variety of different surfaces.

The vehicle is also equipped with LED headlights as standard and is available with air suspension and an active locking rear differential.

Inside the Velar, the dash features an uncluttered look with Land Rover's latest infotainment system which integrates two 10-inch touchscreen displays.

Base Velars will be powered by a 247-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4. Further up is a 180-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 diesel and for those wanting real speed there's a 380-hp supercharged V-6 option. No matter the engine, power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Velar goes on sale later this year, priced from $50,895 with shipping. Load it up and you'll be cutting a check for over $70,000. EPA-rated fuel economy will be announced closer to the market launch.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1109212_2018-land-rover-range-rover-velar-video-preview

by Joel Feder

http://www.boscheuropean.com

BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2020 BMW 8-Series spy shots - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

BMW is working on a flagship coupe that we're expecting to revive the 8-Series name, and we have fresh spy shots and video of prototypes.

BMW hinted at the model in March when senior executives said the automaker was looking at adding more high-end models. One will be an i8 Spyder. Others will include this 8-Series coupe, an 8-Series Convertible and possibly even an 8-Series Gran Coupe.

The 8-Series looks to feature a low roof and wide, muscular shoulders reminiscent of Aston Martin’s DB9. And just like Aston Martin’s popular grand tourer, the 8-Series will feature four seats arranged in a 2+2 format.

BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe

Some readers will recall that BMW had started work on a large, coupe-like sedan based on the striking CS concept car of 2007. However, the global financial crisis that erupted that year put an end to the project.

BMW never gave up on the idea of a large coupe, however, and in 2013 we got a taste of a modern successor to the 8-Series with the unveiling of the Gran Lusso Coupe concept. Developed with Pininfarina, the Gran Lusso Coupe marked the start of a partnership between BMW and the Italian design house and is thought to hint at some of the finer design elements of the new 8-Series.

The platform is BMW’s carbon fiber-infused CLAR design that debuted in the 2016 7-Series. It should ensure a low curb weight (for a large, luxurious coupe) as well as compatibility with electrified powertrains. We can also expect the latest in infotainment technology including next-generation gesture control.

Recent BMW trademark filings suggest V-8, V-12, M Performance and dedicated M options for the car. The filings included “850”, “860”, “M850” and “M8.” It's possible the M8 will feature a high-performance hybrid system known as the Power eDrive plug-in hybrid. The system combined a turbocharged inline-4 with a pair of electric motors for a combined 670 horsepower. Any V-12 model should feature the same 600-hp twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter engine from the latest M760i xDrive.

Production of the 8-Series will take place at BMW’s main plant in Dingolfing, Germany, most likely starting in late 2018 or early the following year. This means we should see the car introduced as a 2020 model. Rivals will include the Lexus LC, Maserati GranTurismo and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe.

To make way for the 8-Series in BMW’s lineup, the slow-selling 6-Series is expected to be given a shakeup. We've heard that a sleeker 6-Series Gran Turismo will replace the ungainly 5-Series GT. We've also heard that a proper 6-Series coupe is coming but will be positioned as a much sportier proposition to take on the Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes-AMG GT and of course the Porsche 911.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1106180_2020-bmw-8-series-spy-shots-and-video

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Aston Martin has another mid-engine supercar in mind - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

It seems Aston Martin is really gaining some valuable knowhow from Chief Technical Officer Max Szwaj, who has moved in from Ferrari. Having worked on mid-engine Ferraris for years, Szwaj is now focusing on mid-engine Aston Martins, such as the upcoming Valkyrie. The limited-edition car, its name revealed at Geneva, is co-developed with Red Bull. But it likely won't be the only mid-engine future Aston.

Talking to Autocar in Geneva, Aston's CEO Andy Palmer said the Valkyrie is "important in establishing Aston as a credible maker of mid-engined models." The Valkyrie is the first since the one-off Bulldog prototype built in 1979. It could spawn a mid-engine companion in 2021, a rival to the Ferrari 488 GTB and McLaren 720S, and would possibly receive valuable engineering input from Red Bull's Adrian Newey, a famed F1 engineering legend.

The Valkyrie would remain a limited-production halo car, as only 175 will be built and each will cost $3 million – but it seems lessons learned from it would be used to craft a significant mid-engine supercar. What is especially remarkable about the Valkyrie is that its development has been completely virtual up until now, and the first prototype cars will commence road testing later in the year.

source: http://www.autoblog.com/2017/03/10/aston-martin-valkyrie-another-mid-engine-supercar/

by; Antti Kautonen

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- Kneel before your Mercedes-Benz off-road wagon God - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

For some, it may be considered blasphemy to do this to a Mercedes-Benz 300TE. That would be weird, though, because there isn't much special about the W124 wagon. It's a great machine, but it doesn't exactly tug at our heartstrings. The Unimog, however, does just that. So when you pair the 300TE with the chassis from a Unimog, you have created something glorious.

If your run to the grocery store includes a side trip through the swamps of Dagobah, you're going to make it to the other side just fine.

This monster wagon is for sale in Lithuania. That's a shame, because that means it's too far away for us to consider adding it to our own fleets. The asking price is just €5,000, which translates to a few hundred bucks over $5,000. That's not an inconsequential sum of cash, but not a ton either, especially when you think about just how much fun this beast would provide.

It has massive tires, portal axles, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine to keep you moving. It also features a delightful wagon body that's fitted with some exo-armor in the form of an exterior roll cage. Buy this thing and you can go anywhere and do anything.

Except blend in. Yeah, you're not going to be able to blend in if you drive this one.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1109304_kneel-before-your-mercedes-benz-off-road-wagon-god

by jeff Glucker

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Land Rover: What’s new for 2017 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

SUV sales are booming and this has seen demand for Land Rover’s offerings soar. Last year the automaker sold 73,861 vehicles in the United States, up 5.0 percent on the previous year and a new record.

Of course, many rivals are attempting to encroach on the luxury SUV turf carved out by Land Rover over the past few decades. Land Rover, however, is hardly standing still. For 2017 the automaker has redesigned its Discovery and even added a convertible to its lineup.

Here’s what to expect when walking into one of Land Rover’s showrooms in 2017.

2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport:

Expanded colors palette.

Infotainment system upgraded with 10.2-inch touchscreen display.

Expanded list of electronic driving aids.

Dynamic Design Pack added.

2017 Land Rover Discovery:

Redesigned model added for 2017.

Comes with third-row seats, off-road mode and 8,201-pound towing capacity.

Comes standard with supercharged V-6 and is available with turbocharged V-6 diesel.

Comes standard with 8-speed automatic and four-wheel drive.

Cargo space measures up to 82.7 cubic feet.

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque:

Convertible body style added for 2017.

2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport:

Infotainment system upgraded with 10.2-inch touchscreen display.

Expanded list of electronic driving aids.

Design Pack added.

Expanded color palette and new wheel patterns.

2017 Land Rover Range Rover:

Infotainment system upgraded with 10.2-inch touchscreen display.

Expanded list of electronic driving aids.

SVAutobiography Dynamic model with unique interior features, Brembo brakes, sport-tuned suspension, and supercharged V-8 added.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1108978_land-rover-whats-new-for-2017

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Jaguar and Land Rover want to make paying for gas easier with in-car app ALL YOU NEED IS A NEW JAG OR LAND ROVER AND A SHELL STATION - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Paying for gas usually isn't a huge hassle (unless you have to stand in line behind someone who's buying dozens of lottery tickets) but Jaguar and Shell have teamed up to allow drivers to make payments via the car's infotainment system. Once a driver pulls up to a pump, he or she can select the amount of fuel they want to purchase via the Shell app, then pay securely via Apple Pay or PayPal. The app will display a receipt as a confirmation and also email it to the driver.

"In a world where cash is no longer king, customers are increasingly using electronic payments and contactless cards,” says Peter Virk, Jaguar Land Rover's director of connected car and future technology. “Making a payment directly from a car’s touchscreen will make refueling quicker and easier. With this new system, you can choose any pump at the gas station and pay for the fuel, even if you’ve forgotten your wallet or can’t find your credit or debit card."

There are a couple limitations: The Shell app will work only at Shell stations, obviously, and for now, it'll only be available in Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles that feature InControl Apps as part of their infotainment systems. That's not a big population of vehicles, to put it mildly, and owners of slightly older Jags and Land Rovers will have to pay the old-fashioned way when the system is rolled out in North America later in 2017.

The upside is that these in-car payment apps are finally being rolled out into the market and will eventually be able to pay for things like parking spots, parking lots, tolls, car washes and fast food drive-thrus, most of which can be paid for with a phone even now.

source: http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/jaguar-and-land-rover-want-make-paying-gas-easier-car-app

by Jay Ramey

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2018 Audi S5 Sportback carries stuff, hits 60 mph in 4.5 seconds for $55,375 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Audi continues the rollout of its A4 family of cars with the newest model, the 2018 S5 Sportback. A hatchback with a coupe-like profile and a powerful engine in the mold of the larger S7, the S5 is set to make its debut in the United States this spring.

The powertrain is taken straight from the S4 sedan and S5 coupe. It is a longitudinally mounted, twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that spins out 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The power is routed through an 8-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels via Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. Buyers who order the S Sport package also get a Sport Differential that can send all of the available power at the rear axle to the outside wheel in turns to improve handling.

Audi says all that power motivates the S5 Sportback to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph when equipped with summer performance tires.

Like the S4, the S5 Sportback uses the brand's MLB Evo platform and has a five-link front suspension. The Audi Drive Select system is standard. It has Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual driving modes that allow drivers to change the steering weight, throttle response, shift points, and adaptive cruise control settings. The S Sport package also comes with electronically adjustable dampers that are subject to the whims of the Drive Select system as well.

The greatest differentiator between the S4 sedan and S5 Sportback is the sloping hatchback body style. It will also be the main reason buyers choose this car because it looks fantastic. Audi calls the S5 a five-door coupe, and while that is technically inaccurate, it is emotionally correct. It is, in fact, a four-door hatchback, but the sloping roofline is sleek and coupe-like in appearance, while still delivering some of the utility of a hatchback. This look has never been used on the A4 platform, though it has had success on the A6 platform in the form of the A7 and S7, cars that have earned a reputation for being among the most beautiful on the market. 

Otherwise, the look is very much current Audi. The lines are crisper than they have been in the past, but they are evolutionary, not revolutionary. Details include LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights; a platinum gray singleframe grille with aluminum-look bars; and aluminum-look side mirrors that are also auto-dimming, power folding, and heated. The rolling stock is 18-inch double-spoke wheels with standard summer tires (all-seasons and 19s are optional), and the S5 Sportback also gets quad exhaust outlets with chrome tips, a unique rear diffuser with a honeycomb structure, a sunroof, and a power liftgate.

Fold the rear seats down, and the S5 Sportback offers 35 cubic feet of cargo space in the back. Aside from that, the interior is much like that of the S4. It offers Audi's virtual cockpit digital infotainment and gauge display in the instrument panel. The virtual cockpit comes with Google Earth navigation, and it should get the same sport display mode as the S4. This sport display makes the tach and speedometer prominent and adds a boost gauge and lap timer.  Apple Car Play and Android Auto are standard. Tech and entertainment options include the MMI touch interface with handwriting recognition, a color head-up display, and a Bang & Olufsen 3-D sound system.

The cockpit is also nicely appointed. It has three-zone automatic climate control and heated 8-way power-adjustable front sport seats with 4-way power lumbar support, power side bolsters, and a massage function. The upholstery is diamond-stitched leather and Alcantara. A heated steering wheel and heated rear seats are available in a Cold Weather package and ventilated front seats are available in a Warm Weather package.

Standard safety features include forward collision warning with emergency braking and pedestrian detection; blind spot warnings; and a system that prepares the car for a crash from the rear, warns the occupants when exiting the car if a cyclist is approaching, and includes rear cross traffic alerts. Also available are adaptive cruise control with stop and go, active lane assist, and active high beams.

The 2018 Audi S5 Sportback is set to hit dealers this spring with a price of $55,375 for a Premium Plus model and $59,775 for a Prestige model.

source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1109036_2018-audi-s5-sportback-carries-stuff-hits-60-mph-in-4-5-seconds-for-55375

by Kirk Bell

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - ARotting 'yard find' Aston Martin DB4 worth a fortune - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

A car that’s spent the past half-century as a lawn ornament could be worth a half-million dollars.

The 1962 Aston Martin DB4 has been rotting away on a Massachusetts property since it was brought there from California by its second owner in the 1970s, according to Worldwide Auctioneers. Trees grew around it as it settled into the soil and its engine bay filled up with leaves and weeds over the years.

One of just 1,113 DB4s produced, the four-seat coupe is largely original, save for the new engine and paint job it appears to have picked up prior to its trip east. Its 3.7-liter inline six was rated at 240 hp when new, and the car features a 4-speed transmission with Laycock Overdrive, disc brakes and “knock-off” wire wheels.

Worldwide Auctioneers will be pushing the car across the block and estimates that it will sell for somewhere in the $375,000 - $475,000 range. If that sounds like a lot for a derelict, the Hagerty Price Guide says that it could be worth at $2.5 million or more when fully restored.

Or if you don't want to go to the trouble, you could buy a brand new one from Aston Martin, which is producing 25 continuation cars next year for about $1.9 million each.

source: http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2016/12/21/rotting-yard-find-aston-martin-db4-worth-fortune.html

by foxnews

Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- Mercedes amping up the style for the SL and SLC with new special editions - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Thinking of getting yourself a Mercedes roadster for tooling around in the summer sun and the standard dealer fare just isn't cutting it ? Well, Mercedes will soon offer a trio of special edition models/packages that could tickle your fancy.

Available starting this summer will be the 2018 SLC300 RedArt Edition. This model is painted Selenite Grey Metallic with Gloss Red accents on the front spoiler, intake arches, rear diffuser, and side fins. It has unique 18-inch twin 5-spoke polished alloy wheels, and peeking through those spokes are perforated brake discs and red calipers complete with "Mercedes- Benz" lettering up front.

Inside, it features nappa leather upholstery with Silver Pearl nappa leather inserts, red stitching, and the SLC RedArt Edition logo embroidered on the headrests. This logo is also on the floormats. A carbon-fiber look trim is found on the steering wheel, headrests, and Dynamic Select lever.

Instead of a model, the Performance Studio RedArt is an option package for the 2018 Mercedes-AMG SLC43. It has the same exterior elements as the SLC300 RedArt Edition, except the wheels are 10-spokers painted gloss black with red rim flanges, and the red brake calipers have "AMG" lettering.

The SLC43's interior is also similar to that of the SLC300. However, the upholstery is black leather, the seats have red piping, and the floormats are AMG specific with red borders. Seat heating and Mercedes' AirScarf neck-level heating system are standard.

The third choice is the designo Edition for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL450 and SL550. It is offered in Brilliant Blue Metallic or Cardinal Red Metallic paint, and it comes with 19-inch front and 20-inch rear AMG 10-spoke forged wheels. Other exterior cues include chrome front bumper elements, and designo Edition badges in the fender vents.

Rather than a sporty cabin, the SL designo Edition aims for luxury. The seats and door panels are upholstered in Porcelain and Black designo nappa leather, the roof liner is covered in Porcelain designo Dinamica microfiber, and the seat belts are white designo items. The cabin also gets ambient lighting, a three-spoke steering wheel covered in Black and Porcelain nappa leather, Porcelain leather on the Dynamic Select lever, designo Porcelain Piano Lacquer trim, and floor mats with Porcelain designo badges and edging.

To amp up the luxury, the SL designo Edition also features seats that take care of the occupants in every way possible. They are heated and cooled, have numerous power controls, include a massage function, come with active bolsters that hold passengers in place in corners, and move to the safest position in case of a crash. AirScarf is also standard.

Mercedes's Driving Assistance Package is also included. It has adaptive cruise control with steering assist, blind-spot monitors, an Active Brake Assist system with cross-traffic functionality, active lane control, and Pre-Safe Brake, which will brake at up to 40 percent power, while sounding an alert, if traffic is stopped ahead. With the latter feature, the moment the driver touches the brake pedal 100 percent of braking power is delivered.

Like the other packages, the SL designo Editions are due this summer.

source; http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1109013_mercedes-amping-up-the-style-for-the-sl-and-slc-with-new-special-editions

by Kirk Bell

http://www.boscheuropean.com