Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- EQS will be first Mercedes based on fully electric platform - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

2021 Mercedes-Benz EQS spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Mercedes-Benz will have at least 10 pure electric vehicles in its lineup by 2022. Some will be electric versions of existing nameplates, like the e-Sprinter van unveiled earlier this year, while others will be new additions falling under the EQ sub-brand of Daimler, Mercedes' parent company.

The first Mercedes EQ car was unveiled earlier in September in the form of the 2020 EQC small SUV. It will be followed next year by an EQA compact hatch and in 2020 by an EQS flagship sedan. The EQA was previewed in concept form at the 2017 Frankfurt auto show while the EQS was spotted in prototype form in July.

Mercedes is basing its EQ cars on a modular platform for electric cars known as the MEA, but the initial versions of the platform are derived from existing Mercedes platforms. According to a report from Autocar published Thursday, the EQS will be the first Mercedes based on a version of the MEA platform designed exclusively for electric applications.

The EQC's version of the MEA platform, code-named MEA1, is derived from the MHA platform of the GLC. This ensured that the EQC could be built on the same production line as the GLC. It will be a similar case for the EQA, whose MEA platform, code-named MEA1.5, will be derived from the MFA platform underpinning Mercedes' latest compact cars.

However, compromises were made. For example, the EQC misses out on a front trunk as its front electric motor needed to be positioned where the internal combustion engine normally sits. Weight is also an issue, with the EQC tipping the scales at 5,346 pounds. In comparison, the Jaguar I-Pace which has a dedicated electric car platform weighs only 4,702 pounds.

With the EQS featuring a dedicated electric car platform, code-named MEA2, designers will be able to tap all the benefits of EVs. Compact electric motors at the front and rear axles plus a fully flat floor will boost interior space and storage. The car will also have short overhangs front and rear and a very low center of gravity. An insider told Autocar that the EQS, which will be similar in size to a CLS, will benefit from “a whole new dimension in interior packaging.”

Given the rapid advancement in battery technology, Mercedes is keeping quiet on specs for its future electric cars. To be competitive, we'd expect the EQS to offer a range between 250 and 300 miles on a single charge. The vehicle will also probably feature an 800-volt electric system enabling it to utilize ultra-fast charging.

Source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118751_eqs-will-be-first-mercedes-based-on-fully-electric-platform

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - The 2019 BMW Z4 won't offer a manual transmission - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition

BMW is unlikely to offer a manual gearbox as an option on its new 2019 BMW Z4. The convertible sports car exists in a niche segment to begin with, and adding in the choice of a manual transmission would slice an already small take rate into quantities too small to matter.

Speaking to Road & Track, BMW's head of R&D Klaus Fröhlich said, "At the moment this segment is very small, and I had to fight hard to make it [the Z4] happen at all, honestly. It was against the finance controllers."

Such a fight is likely the reason that we will not see a full-on M version of the Z4 as well. If BMW is already butting heads on the notion that this car should even come to light, the team behind it is likely happy that it exists at all.

Despite the potential lack of a manual option or a top-tier M version, there's still reason to get excited. The BMZ Z4 M40i will be fitted with a 6-cylinder engine producing 380 horsepower. Early reports suggest that it's a blast to drive and it should be as it's taken years to fully develop.

Half of the reason this car is even being built is due to the fact that BMW joined forces with Toyota. The Japanese automaker wants a sports-car capable platform while BMW is looking for access to electric tech. Shaking hands with the arrival of the Z4 and Toyota's new Supra serves as a sort-of ribbon cutting for this technical partnership.

Fewer automakers are offering manual transmissions for even the sportiest of models. Automatic transmissions shift quickly, can handle increased torque loads, and offer a smooth driving experience despite the perceived need of a clutch pedal and a shift lever.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118843_the-2019-bmw-z4-wont-offer-a-manual-transmission

by Jeff Glucker

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Aston Martin 003 hypercar teased, might race at Le Mans - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Aston Martin's Valkyrie hasn't even started deliveries but the British automaker is already teasing the hypercar that will come after it.

Aston Martin on Thursday released a teaser sketch for a new hypercar code-named the 003 and slated to arrive on the market in late 2021. For those counting, the Valkyrie carries the 001 code name while the track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro carries the 002 name.

The 003 isn't to be confused with the mid-engine supercar that Aston Martin will launch in 2020 as the new Vanquish. The mid-engine supercar will be a permanent addition to Aston Martin's lineup while the 003 will be a limited edition along the lines of the Valkyrie.

It will also feature design, technology and a lightweight ethos inspired by the Valkyrie, combined with a new hybrid powertrain utilizing a turbocharged engine as its internal combustion component. The car will also benefit from active aerodynamics and suspension, no doubt honed by the boffins at the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team.

Aston Martin Valkyrie in near-production form

Aston Martin will build 500 examples of the 003 in coupe format, compared to 175 Valkyries. The automaker hasn't said whether a convertible will be added but it is a possibility. Crucially, the 003 will likely be the car that Aston Martin uses for the 2020/2021 World Endurance Championship's new Hypercar class should the automaker end up joining, which means we could see a version of it race at Le Mans.

Valkyrie buyers shouldn't feel like Aston Martin is already offering a superior hypercar. The 003 will be a more comfortable, more usable car—we're told there will be space for luggage—with positioning more in line with cars like the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1, which is why Aston Martin executives have referred to it as the “son” or “brother” of Valkyrie.

“It was always the intention for the Aston Martin Valkyrie to be a once-in-a lifetime project, however, it was also vital to us that Valkyrie would create a legacy: a direct descendent that would also set new standards within its own area of the hypercar market, creating a bloodline of highly specialised, limited production machines that can exist in parallel with Aston Martin’s series production models,” Aston Martin Lagonda CEO Andy Palmer said of the car.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118892_aston-martin-003-hypercar-teased-might-race-at-le-mans

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Next Audi R8 will reportedly go electric - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Back in March, Audi R&D boss Peter Mertens dropped the bombshell news that the Audi Sport division didn't have any plans drawn up yet for a third-generation R8.

It didn't mean Audi Sport was definitely going to axe the car after the current model's run, but it did leave the possibility on the table.

A new report out from Autocar on Wednesday claims Audi Sport has since decided to go ahead with a third-generation R8 powered exclusively by an electric powertrain.

Without citing a source, the British publication reported the car will arrive around 2022 and move into hypercar territory thanks to a 1,000-horsepower output.

A spokesperson for Audi said details for the next R8 haven't been locked in and all options are still on the table. Audi has, however, hinted at an electric supercar with the unveiling of the PB18 e-tron concept during last month's Monterey Car Week.

The concept featured a 95-kilowatt-hour solid state battery and a trio of electric motors for a combined output of 764 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque. The concept also featured almost identical dimensions to the R8.

With Audi planning to launch multiple electric cars in the coming years and ultimately transition to a fully electric lineup, it's natural the brand's performance division also goes the electric route. In fact, Audi sport has already confirmed plans to launch the e-tron GT electric super sedan in 2020.

Audi Sport also has some experience with electric performance. The division rolled out an electric version of the original R8 in 2013 but killed the project at the last minute after performance was shown to lag the less expensive Tesla Model S. Audi Sport gave the electric R8 another go with the second-generation R8 in 2015 but stopped sales after just one year due to a lack of interest. The car was still slower than a Model S and cost more than $1 million. Hopefully Audi Sport gets it right the third time around.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118595_next-audi-r8-will-reportedly-go-electric

by Viknesh Vijayentthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Hey Look A 2018 Range Rover Velar Actually Went Off-Road - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

“I once fell asleep in the back of a Range Rover while it was off-roading,” Matt Farah explains, plodding up a dirt track in a 2018 Range Rover Velar. The Velar is pretty much the least off-roady Range Rover ever, so any opportunity to see one raked over coals, or uh, rocks, is intriguing.

I took a Velar through a little rough terrain in some of my favorite sand stomping grounds near Joshua Tree when the crossover SUV thing first came out. It seemed fine, if slow, since you had to be pretty gentle with the thing.

But Farah got to push the Velar a little further, at an off-road park called Rowher Flat not too far from Los Angeles.

While it’s pretty much impossible to tell how challenging the route is on camera, as is always the case with off-road photos and video, I can attest that route you’re seeing is fairly bumpy and far beyond what anybody driving what is essentially a lifted luxury car would generally attempt to traverse.

This video is more Farah’s stream of consciousness as he assesses the Velar’s purpose and abilities than empirical off-road test, but I think it’s actually a pretty interesting shakedown of a crossover that’s uniquely successful at looking like both a car and an SUV rather than something in between.

source: https://jalopnik.com/hey-look-a-2018-range-rover-velar-actually-went-off-roa-1827832740

by Andrew P. Collins

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Here's how you can own a Jaguar C-X75 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

It's certainly fun to pretend to be James Bond, a fantasy that can be accomplished with an old Bentley, a new Aston Martin, a simple tuxedo, or even a fancy Omega watch. It's a bit more difficult to play the villain. Until now, that is. Kaaimans International in the United Kingdom has one of the Jaguar C-X75 supercars built for the Bond film "Spectre," and it's for sale.

Jaguar's C-X75 is one of our favorite recent concept cars. The automaker hemmed and hawed over the details of its concept and pre-production prototypes before ultimately deciding that the sharp machine wouldn't make it to production after all. It did, however, live on as the ride of choice for Mr. Hinx as portrayed by Dave Bautista.

Battling alongside Aston Martin's own never-produced DB10, the C-X75 proved a worthy vehicular foe for Bond's Aston Martin. In fact, some might argue that the Jag is the looker of the pair. Regardless, it's not something available with a quick trip to your local dealer.

The one for sale wears a plaque stating that it's one of four stunt cars used for the film. That makes sense considering Jaguar built five prototypes and kept one for itself. The other three were sold at auction. Kaaimans got its hands on this repainted version, and it appears suited for driving as long as you don't mind racing belts.

Out back sits a 5.0-liter V-8 that can be controlled via slick carbon-fiber paddle shifters found behind the Momo steering wheel.

Some stunt car features are found in the cockpit, too, as this is no fancy luxury Jag. A pair of Recaro racing seats will keep the new owner firmly in place, and the hydraulic handbrake lever should allow for some truly lurid slides. Additionally, the brake bias is adjustable via a knob on the center stack.

With just 500 miles on its odometer, this is a barely driven piece of both Jaguar and James Bond history. No asking price is listed as this is a "if you have to ask" sort of item. Whoever buys it, though, can live out the darker side of the James Bond fantasy.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118608_heres-how-you-can-own-a-jaguar-c-x75

by Jeff Glucker

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC: 200-mile luxury electric SUV debuts - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

The luxury brands have been late to the electric revolution but that's about to change as a flood of new models arrive in the coming years, particularly from the German brands. Mercedes-Benz alone will launch 10 electric cars by 2025, one of which is the EQC small SUV that made its debut Tuesday in Stockholm, Sweden.

Mercedes' parent company Daimler has established the EQ sub-brand for electrified cars, and the EQC is the first Mercedes from the brand. The first actual EQ car was the Smart EQ ForTwo that debuted in March, though this was actually just a rebranding of the existing Smart ForTwo Electric Drive.

The new EQC is a better example of the technology and design we can expect from EQ in the coming years. Unfortunately, we won't see it in showrooms for a while as Mercedes says sales are only due to start in 2020. Sales in other markets commence in mid-2019.

Despite the lengthy wait, Mercedes has already locked in some key specs for the initial EQC 400 model. It will come with an electric motor at each axle to form an all-wheel-drive system, with peak output registering at 402 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque. The front motor is optimized for efficiency in the low to medium load range, while the rear motor adds performance. They both connect to the wheels via a single-speed transmission, and 0-60 mph acceleration should happen in 4.9 seconds.

The battery in the EQC 400 will be an 80-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion unit sourced from fellow Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive. The EPA is yet to test the vehicle but Mercedes estimates a 200-mile range on a single charge. The rival 2019 Jaguar I-Pace promises 240 miles from a 90-kwh battery. Other alternatives in the pipeline include the Audi e-tron due for a reveal in San Francisco on September 17, as well as the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model Y both due in 2020.

The EQC will be capable of charging on a 150-kilowatt DC line, under the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard. That high-speed will replenish the battery up to 80 percent capacity in 40 minutes. Daimler is part of a network called Ionity that is installing public DC chargers, with the first 400 currently being installed across Europe.

And on the road, drivers will be able to optimize range by adjusting the car's driving modes. The five modes in the EQC are Comfort, Eco, Max Range, Sport plus an Individual mode where the driver can program their favorite options. The driver is also able to influence the brake energy recovery level using paddles behind the steering wheel.

At 187.4 inches in length, the EQC is roughly the size of the GLC, with the electric SUV about 4 inches longer than its internal combustion counterpart. There is enough space for five within, with no room taken up by the battery since the unit lies flat in the floor.

The cabin of the EQC adopts an “electro-look” design that will filter across to other EQ models. One example is the louvered edges of the dashboard and door trim which resembles the cooling fins of a hi-fi amplifier. You'll also notice the rectangular air vents with key-shaped, rose-gold colored louvres. Dominating the dash is Mercedes' combined digital instrument cluster and infotainment system which feature numerous displays and functions unique to EQ.

For the exterior, the key electro-look distinguisher is the large black-panel surface combining the headlamps and grille. For the first time, the black panel is bordered at the top by an LED light signature as a visual link between the torch-like daytime running lamps. At night, this is said to create an almost uninterrupted, horizontal light band. And finally the wheels, which will range from 19 to 21 inches in size, are aerodynamically enhanced and feature dual-tone designs. Two wheel variants have blue touches on the rim flange or spokes.

Pricing information will be announced closer to the EQC's 2020 launch. As a guide, Jaguar's I-Pace can be had for $70,495.

And beyond the EQC, additional Mercedes EQ cars known to be in development are an EQA compact hatch and EQS flagship sedan.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118578_2020-mercedes-benz-eqc-200-mile-luxury-electric-suv-debuts

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.co

BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - BMW introducing voice-activated digital assistant- Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Beginning in March 2019, select new BMWs will have a digital co-pilot onboard. The German luxury brand announced Thursday the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will help drivers and passengers with a host of functions in the car.

The Intelligent Personal Assistant can work in a variety of different ways. In the car, it will respond to commands after occupants say, "Hey BMW." Outside the vehicle, the Intelligent Personal Assistant is compatible with smart speakers and smartphones to integrate into an owner's ecosystem.

The system handles the basics such as climate control, music selection, and navigation routes, but it goes beyond those commands. Drivers and passengers can ask the system things such as "What's the meaning of life?" should he or she feel philosophical, or they can issue more general commands such as "Hey BMW, I'm tired." The latter will tell the digital personal assistant to adjust the lighting, music, and cabin temperature to keep the driver more alert and focused.

It can be integrated with Microsoft Office 365 and Skype For Business to make the car a mobile office. Drivers can even give their co-pilot a name to respond to, should they desire.

With every command and question, the assistant learns the driver more and develops the ability to understand a driver's preferences and favorite settings; the system can remember often-frequented places and recognize commands like "take me home." It all combines to create an owner's BMW ID, which the brand said "links the car to the customer and their digital world."

In the future, BMW said the system could warn drivers of things such as low tire pressure, remind them of upcoming service appointments, and even book appointments for them.

The system comes as a direct response to Mercedes-Benz's User Experience (MBUX) system, which also has the ability to process various commands in more plain English than ever.

The digital assistant will be available with cars that have the Live Cockpit Professional or BMW's Operating System 7.0. Buyers will be able to order it beginning in November 2018 in the new 3-Series, and choosing the Connected Package Professional will expand its scope of functions. Next year, the BMW X5, Z4, and 8-Series models fitted with the BMW Operating System 7.0 will be able to get the full version with an over-the-air update.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118660_bmw-introducing-voice-activated-digital-assistant

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Adrian Newey explains why Aston Martin's Valkyrie has a V-12- Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

It might seem odd that Aston Martin chose to go with the relatively old-school choice of a big V-12 for its Valkyrie hypercar at a time when rivals are downsizing to turbocharged V-8s and even V-6s. Recall, Mercedes-AMG's Project One packs a 1.6-liter turbocharged V-6, albeit one nicked from the automaker's Formula 1 car.

In an interview with Autocar published Tuesday, Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s star aerodynamicist leading the design work on the Valkyrie, explained the rationale behind the decision to go with a V-12, in this case a Cosworth-tuned monster displacing 6.5 liters and expected to deliver around 1,000 horsepower.

He said the “obvious” options were a turbocharged V-6 or a high-revving, naturally aspirated V-12. It was a close race but the V-12 won because of what it allowed the design team to do in terms of structural mounting, since V-12s are very well-balanced engines with good NVH characteristics. Weight also wasn't an issue as the V-6's turbo system, including all plumbing and intercoolers, would make the engine weigh the same as the V-12, the designer of multiple championship-winning F1 cars said.

Interestingly, Newey also revealed that the Valkyrie AMR Pro track version might end up delivering even better performance than what Aston Martin has already promised, i.e. F1 and LMP1-like lap times. He said the mentioned downforce of about 2,200 pounds, which is equal to the car's weight, is an early estimate and that it will “change quite a lot” as the design evolves.

That may explain why Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in July suggested that the AMR Pro version might challenge Porsche's insane Nürburgring lap time of 5:19:55, set in June by the 919 Evo time attack car.

The reveal of the Valkyrie in production guise is expected to take place later this year. First deliveries are scheduled for 2019 for the road car and 2020 for the track car. Aston Martin will build just 175 Valkyries all up, of which 25 will be AMR Pros, and yes all build slots are sold.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118084_adrian-newey-explains-why-aston-martins-valkyrie-has-a-v-12

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Land Rover confirms 2 new model lines - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Jaguar Land Rover is counting on a new modular platform and new model lines to boost sales and profits in the coming years.

The new platform, referred to as the Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA), will make its debut in a redesigned Land Rover Defender due around 2020 and will eventually underpin most models at Jaguar Land Rover by the mid-2020s.

There will also be some new model lines, two of which will be launched by Land Rover between 2021 and 2024. The information was revealed during a June 22 investor meeting, Automotive News (subscription required) reported Monday.

Jaguar Land Rover didn't say what the new model lines would be but reports have indicated the two as being an SUV positioned below the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque and possibly called a Landy, as well as a high-end soft-roader wagon possibly using the Road Rover name.

Details of the future plans were made alongside news that Jaguar Land Rover lost $276 million in the second quarter of 2018, the automaker's first quarterly loss in three years. Things should turn around quickly, however, thanks to lower tariffs introduced in China, the world's biggest car market, on July 1.

And a further boost to profits should be generated by the introduction of the MLA platform, which will help shed costs by replacing five platforms currently used by Jaguar Land Rover's fleet. The five platforms include the D7U (Discovery, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover), D7A (XE, XF, F-Pace, Range Rover Velar), D8 (E-Pace, Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque), and unique platforms for the XJ and I-Pace.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118246_land-rover-confirms-2-new-model-lines

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- Mercedes' EQ Silver Arrow concept is an electric streamliner with 738 hp of grunt - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Prior to the onset of World War II, the grand prix racers of Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union (today Audi) were dominating race tracks all over Europe. The cars were referred to as the Silver Arrows, a name Mercedes-Benz still applies spiritually to its current Formula 1 cars, and one of the most famous examples was Mercedes' W125 of 1937.

On Friday, Mercedes unveiled the EQ Silver Arrow concept in Monterey, California as a homage to a particular W125, while at the same time also providing a halo for the new EQ sub-brand for electric cars. The concept with its streamlined looks specifically recalls the modified W125 Silver Arrow that 80 years ago clocked an average speed of 268.8 mph over a stretch of Autobahn. It was a record speed for a car driven on public roads, a record that stood all the way to 2017 when Koenigsegg's Agera RS hit 277.9 mph on a Nevada highway.

The EQ Silver Arrow is a single-seat speedster with looks inspired by the streamlined W125 as well as the upcoming range of EQ electric cars, the first of which is the EQC small SUV debuting in September. The concept stretches 17.4 feet in length and is powered by a purely electric powertrain rated at 738 horsepower. An 80-kilowatt-hour battery should provide more than 250 miles of range.

The body is almost entirely made from carbon fiber. Functional attachment parts are also made from carbon, like the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser. Another highlight is the partially free-standing multi-spoke wheels. The 168 spokes per wheel are made of lightweight aluminum and painted a rose gold color, which Mercedes says together with silver and blue is also a signature hue of the EQ brand.

The concept's interior is adorned with high-quality materials such as leather, brushed aluminum and solid walnut, while a highly-futuristic digital cockpit complete with a curved panoramic screen that projects from behind and a touchscreen integrated into the steering wheel add a touch of modernity. A touchscreen on the steering wheel can be used to alter the driving modes selector. Sound settings can also be configured here: choices include the sound of a current F1 car or an AMG V-8.

One awesome feature is the virtual race function. With the help of artificial intelligence, it is possible to engage in a virtual race against historic or present Silver Arrow racing cars. A virtual race track is superimposed onto the real roadway via the panoramic screen and the driver sees their opponent either ahead of them or behind them as a "ghost." A coach function helps one improve driving skills by giving instructions during the race.

"Over 80 years ago, the historic Silver Arrows demonstrated that Mercedes-Benz was a pioneer when it came to speed, thanks, among other things, to their streamlined shape," Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener said in a statement. "The EQ Silver Arrow show car draws on that legacy; intended for acceleration and driving pleasure, it embodies progressive luxury and provides an insight into the future of our design.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1118412_mercedes-eq-silver-arrow-concept-is-an-electric-streamliner-with-738-hp-of-grunt

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar, Mercedes, Land Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Happy Labor Day - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

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