Happy New Year
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Monday, December 31, 2018
Friday, December 28, 2018
Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Audi working on faster e-tron electric SUV - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
Audi's first electric SUV, the 2019 e-tron, has yet to
launch, but the company's performance arm, Audi Sport, is hard at work on a
faster, performance-oriented model that could arrive as soon as late next year.
The original e-tron quattro concept showed
off a three-motor electric powertrain back in 2015, and it's likely
Audi Sport engineers, the folks who bring us the RS and R8 models, are the ones
adapting the layout to a rear-wheel-biased all-wheel-drive system for a hotter
e-tron in about year. Audi could call the model an e-tron S, which
would fall in line with its performance nomenclature used across its lineup.
In the concept vehicle, the e-tron's three-motor system
featured on motor up front and two for the rear axle. Total output was 496
horsepower and a whopping 590 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the 2019
e-tron makes 356 hp combined, but a boost function will increase power to
402 hp for eight seconds at a time
.
Audi claimed performance estimates of 0-62 mph in 4.6
seconds and a governed top speed of 130 mph for its concept. The regular
production e-tron will scoot to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds, which is quick but much
slower than the Tesla Model X. The three-motor setup should provide incredibly
versatile torque vectoring, too.
Audi Sport is also developing its electric car performance
muscles with the upcoming e-tron GT sedan, which is due in 2021 but should
like much like what we recently
saw at the LA Auto Show.
The e-tron SUV is available for order now with a $1,000
refundable deposit. The electric SUV starts at $75,795 and will reach U.S.
shores next spring.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1120477_audi-working-on-faster-e-tron-electric-suv
by Sean Szymkowski
www.boscheuropean.com
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Jaguar finally offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto continue to spread across automakers' infotainment systems. The latest to gain integration? Jaguar Land Rover.
The automaker announced Tuesday that Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto functionality will finally be optional for any vehicle equipped
with the InControl Touch Pro and Touch Pro Duo infotainment systems. Both
will be standard equipment on the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace, however.
The option will come in the form of a "Smartphone
Pack." The package will be offered on every 2019 Jaguar and Land Rover
vehicle when equipped with the proper infotainment system. The automaker said
that, depending on the particular model, the Smartphone Pack will either be a
"port" or a factory-installed option costing around $300.
InControl Touch Pro was first introduced in 2016 and did
away with buttons in favor of a tablet-like style measuring 10 inches. InTouch
Duo Pro builds upon the original system with a dual-touchscreen unit for the
upper and lower portion of the center stack. It also controls HVAC systems
aside from all important controls. The InTouch Duo Pro first debuted with
the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar; the infotainment system is standard
on the 2019 I-Pace.
Apple CarPlay, in particular, has caused a flurry of
positive news after the most recent software update for iPhone users granted
more third-party applications for the system. Now, users can choose
Google Maps and Waze for their navigation needs, rather than Apple's
own Maps application. The Cupertino, California-based tech giant is also in the
middle of completely overhauling its Maps app after years of ho-hum
performance.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1119550_jaguar-land-rover-finally-offers-apple-carplay-and-android-auto
by Sean Szymkowski
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Monday, December 24, 2018
Friday, December 21, 2018
Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Aston Martin to electrify its classic cars - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
Aston Martin is following Jaguar's lead with a reversible
electric car conversion for classic models, and the first to receive the
treatment is a 1970 DB6 MkII Volante.
Jaguar last year rolled out an E-Type whose original
powertrain was swapped
for a battery and electric motor. It proved so popular that Jaguar in
August confirmed production plans for
the conversion, which like Aston Martin's setup is fully reversible.
Using lessons learned from development of an electric
option for the Rapide sedan due in 2019, the Aston Martin Works
classic car department has developed a self-contained unit referred to as a
“cassette” that sits on the original engine and gearbox mountings.
The cassette contains the battery, motor and electric
control units and features external cables that feed power to the car’s various
electrical systems. A small screen hidden in the interior provides the driver
with all the vital info on the system's operation.
Having handled the initial concept evaluation and build of
the proof-of-concept DB6 MkII Volante, Aston Martin Works will also be
responsible for completing customer conversions at the historic Newport Pagnell
plant, the home of Aston Martin's classic car department. The program is
expected to start in 2019 under the Heritage EV banner.
No specifications or pricing have been announced. The rival
E-Type EV conversion comes with a 295-horsepower electric motor and
40-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery good for about 170 miles of range.
With some major cities already introducing emission-free
zones in congested areas, Aston Martin sees its Heritage EV program as a way to
future proof its classic cars in a world where cars with emissions may be ruled
off the road.
“We are very aware of the environmental and social pressures
that threaten to restrict the use of classic cars in the years to come,” Aston
Martin CEO Andy Palmer said in a statement. “Our Second Century plan not only
encompasses our new and future models, but also protects our treasured
heritage.”
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1120298_aston-martin-to-electrify-its-classic-cars
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- AMG's new GT R Pro runs a 7:04.63 Nürburgring hot lap - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
There's a new top dog in AMG's GT sports car family, the GT
R Pro, which the Affalterbach tuner unveiled last week at the 2018 LA Auto Show
alongside an updated GT range.
AMG announced at the debut that the GT R Pro is capable of a
Nürburgring lap time of 7.04.632, and now we have the video of the hot lap with
GT3 racing driver Maro Engel behind the wheel.
While the time is well off the record for production cars,
the 6:44.97 set by a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ earlier in the year, what's
perhaps most impressive is just how stable the 577-horsepower GT R Pro is when
driven at the limit. Engel never looks unsettled during the lap.
Note, the GT R Pro isn't the fastest when it comes to
traditional front-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports cars. That honor goes to the
Dodge Viper ACR which
in 2017 ran a 7:01.3.
Could we see AMG's GT go even faster at the 'Ring?
Absolutely. There's still a Black Series on the way, and AMG boss Tobias Moers
last week hinted that the McLaren 720S and Porsche 911 GT2 RS were the targets.
That means we could be looking at around 700
hp for the GT Black.
While the GT R Pro doesn't feature any additional horsepower
over the standard GT R, which laps the 'Ring in 7:10.92, the car benefits from
numerous upgrades aimed at cutting lap times. They include upgrades in the
areas of weight savings, suspension and downforce.
AMG's updated GT, including the GT R Pro, will hit showrooms
in 2019 as a 2020 model. Pricing and availability will be announced closer to
the market launch.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1120271_amgs-new-gt-r-pro-runs-a-704-63-nrburgring-hot-lap
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Monday, December 17, 2018
BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City -2020 BMW M8 leaked - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
Gran Coupe concept.
Here it is. The new BMW M8 courtesy of a leak on German Car
Forum.
The particular version shown is the hotter M8 Competition.
It features a number of carbon fiber accents that will likely be absent on the
standard M8. It should also come with extra horsepower but we won't know for
sure until BMW M launches the M8 in the coming months.
Details we can spot in the leaked shots include carbon fiber
on the roof, side mirror caps, front intake surrounds, side vents, trunk lid
spoiler, and rear diffuser. You'll also notice the massive wheels which at the
front measure 20 inches in diameter and are shod in 275/35-size Michelin Pilot
Sport tires. The brake package also appears to contain carbon-ceramic rotors.
The design of the M8 was previewed in March at the 2018
Geneva International Motor Show with the M8
BMW M only in November announced that development of the M8
was entering the final stages. The
car is confirmed to be coming with the same mechanical package as the M5, meaning a
4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8, 8-speed automatic, and rear-biased all-wheel
drive with driver selectable rear-wheel drive. Peak output should be 600 hp in
the standard M8 and possibly up around 620 hp in the M8 Competition, both
figures likely conservatively rated.
Compared to the regular 8-Series, including the M850i M
Performance model on sale in December, the M8 benefits from enhanced
body rigidity. The engineers also looked at enhancing weight distribution and
the center of gravity by tweaking the chassis components and their mounting,
using lessons from the M8 race program. BMW M said weight was minimized,
though we doubt the car's curb weight will slip below the 4,000-pound mark.
Yes, the 8-Series is a heavy beast.
The M8 in coupe guise will make its debut soon, possibly
next January at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit or
next March at the 2019 Geneva auto show. Sales will follow in 2019, with the
car likely arriving as a 2020 model.
M8 Convertible and M8 Gran
Coupe variants will follow shortly after. It's too early to talk pricing but
expect a starting price around the $150,000 mark. Alternatives to the M8
include the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe and Bentley Continental GT.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1120272_2020-bmw-m8-leaked
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Friday, December 14, 2018
Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2019 Audi e-tron quattro first drive review: A new normal for electric luxury - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
The Audi e-tron SUV that goes on sale next spring in the
U.S. isn’t just Audi’s first fully electric vehicle. It’s the luxury brand’s
way of showing how an increasingly inevitable part of the future can fit right
in and be a part of four-ring identity.
In our first drive this week, we found the e-tron to be
exactly that—simultaneously flaunting some daring, different engineering
decisions under the surface but looking and feeling, at face value, to be a
familiar, mainstream-luxury Audi.
The e-tron appears, inside and out, as if it were a larger
member of the allroad family, taller than Audi’s sedans but somewhat lower than
its SUVs. It rides on a wheelbase that’s about halfway between the Q5 and Q7,
and while it’s shorter than the Tesla Model X it’s about nine inches longer
than the Jaguar I-Pace.
Inside, the cabin borrows attributes from the brand’s latest
A8 and A6 sedans, as well as the Q7 and Q8 SUVs. The seating position is rather
high, but a beltline of distinctive trim—open-pore ash wood in the vehicle we
spent the most time with—separates the dash and gives the front an airier feel
and better vantage point. Audi’s widescreen virtual cockpit gauge cluster and
the new MMI touch response system, with dual screens and tactile confirmation,
give it the same familiar look and interface that the brand’s other swankier
models have.
As for those different engineering decisions, Audi opted for
two current-excited (wound) motors for the e-tron, for their higher-speed
efficiency and because they’re not dependent on rare-earth materials. It also
completely re-engineered the brake system around a goal of recovering as much
energy as possible.
Go with the boost
With a nudge of the shifter back to "S" mode, from
"D," you can toggle Sport mode and access a Boost mode that pushes
the front motor from its usual 168 horsepower to 181 hp and the rear motor from
188 hp to 221 hp. Boost mode, which lasts eight seconds at a time, increases
overall system specs to 402 hp and 490 lb-ft—a gain of 13 and 18 percent,
respectively. Audi quotes a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds using Boost mode, and
without it the time is somewhere near seven seconds. The e-tron can tow up to
4,000 pounds (the same as the Q7 2.0T).
The Boost mode time isn’t quite as quick as the Jaguar
I-Pace or Tesla Model X, but about the same as the Q7 with its larger 3.0T
gasoline engine, and significantly quicker than with the 2.0T base engine.
There’s very little motor whine, so the quietness makes the e-tron’s launch
from a standing start feel especially quick.
Audi Drive Select is also nearly identical to gasoline Audi
models, allowing modes that work with the standard air suspension and include
modes ranging from Offroad and Allroad to Dynamic. The ride is on the firm side
but well-damped, and the cabin is tight and supremely hushed, without active
noise cancellation.
Our first drive in the United Arab Emirates around Abu Dhabi
took us up a mountain road to about 5,000 feet elevation and back down; on a
loose trail along dunes at the start of a vast expanse of desert; and on a
series of freeways riddled with speed cameras and what we were told were very
strict speed limits. On one stretch we reached that road’s 99-mph limit but
didn’t see the e-tron’s 124-mph electronically limited top speed.
The e-tron wears the quattro badge. All-wheel drive with an
electric vehicle is faster-responding, Audi reminded us, because it doesn’t
require any clutch engagement to send torque where it’s needed. The electric
motors can react in as little as 30 milliseconds to a change in traction or for
stability needs.
Dynamically, the e-tron feels a lot like a Q7 on the
road—just one that’s many hundreds of pounds heavier. The e-tron's curb weight
is around 5,500 pounds, but the approximately 1,500-pound battery pack is
mounted very low in the vehicle—under the floor, with an upper deck below the
rear seat aimed at fitting in a few more modules. Its steering feels precise
but lacks even a hint of feedback, much like those larger gasoline vehicles,
and when pushed hard into lower-speed switchbacks in Dynamic mode the e-tron
pushed early into understeer even though the rear motor is more powerful, no
matter what we did with our right foot.
It’s likely that Audi will reserve a more rear-wheel-biased
system for the Audi Sport three-motor version of the e-tron that’s due in about
a year.
Brake by wire, on multiple levels
The brakes go about their business in a way that’s different
than most other electric vehicles. Actual regeneration from the motors is used
to brake at 0.3g or less, and an electrohydraulic system kicks in only when
needed to provide braking force from the discs and pads. In all but emergencies
it’s a brake-by-wire system, with a “dummy” piston pushing back to maintain the
right pedal feel.
With a coast mode plus two levels of regenerative braking,
up to just 0.18g, this isn’t a car that aims for one-pedal driving. Instead
it’s a vehicle that Audi has tuned for driving with two pedals, dabbing the
brakes to get the most regeneration.
The e-tron will be the first vehicle in the U.S. capable of
DC fast charging at 150 kw, which can bring it from zero to 80 percent in just
a half-hour, Audi says. Through Amazon Home Services and its network of
electricians, it’s helping make the installation of Level 2 (240-volt) chargers
essentially a one-click process. It also includes 1,000 kwh of public charger
access, via Electrify America's network.
Range remains a sticky point; the e-tron has achieved a
248-mile rating in the optimistic WLTP system used in Europe, expect the U.S.
number to be 10-15 percent less than that—certainly more than 200 miles,
though.
The e-tron, which starts at $75,795, pencils out with one
convenient truth: Once you consider the $7,500 federal tax credit, plus any
other state incentives, it doesn’t add up to much more than equivalent gasoline
models. The catch? For now, and even once they start arriving in the spring,
you’ll have to order one with a $1,000 refundable deposit. Audi is planning to
deliver them on demand, without maintaining the dealer stock that’s otherwise
the norm.
See the 2019
Audi e-tron first drive at Motor Authority's sister site Green
Car Reports for more about the 2019 e-tron. It may not look and feel all
that different than Audis with a tailpipe—which doesn't yet signal any end for
engines and tailpipes in the lineup but may very well be the start of a new
normal.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1120361_2019-audi-e-tron-quattro-first-drive-review-a-new-normal-for-electric-luxury
by Bengt Halvorson
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque first look: Sleek has a sequel - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
When it first arrived in 2012, the Range Rover Evoque was
quickly derided by pearl-clutching off-road purists who were still debating the
merits of air conditioning, power windows, and fuel-injected engines. The
sleek, small, luxury SUV grated those folks because the Evoque didn't have a
hulking engine and traded on its looks—even Victoria Beckham said she helped
design it.
The Evoque's secret was that it was a very competent
off-roader on its own right.
The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque that arrived Thursday
stays close to the same formula—sans one Spice Girl's input—and even includes
some of Range Rover's most innovative all-terrain features.
Its looks borrow heavily from the bigger Velar, down to the
flush, power-extending door handles, on-trend rose gold exterior accents on
some versions, and sloping roofline that tapers toward the rear. There's no
three-door "coupe" version this time—it
was shelved in the U.S. for 2018—but the new Evoque still sports wide front
shoulders and wheel sizes up to 21 inches. (No word on another highly
entertaining convertible Evoque, either.)
The new Evoque sports a revised honeycomb grille bookended
by thinner LED headlights that reach back into the front fenders. The tailgate
is wider thanks to two-piece taillights that don't intrude far into the
hatchback's cutout.
Like the outgoing model, the 2020 Evoque features turbo-4
engines, a 9-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive. Base models are equipped
with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 246 horsepower—a 9 hp bump from the
outgoing version—while
uprated versions use Range Rover's first mild-hybrid system that
provides 296 hp from a turbo-4 and a 48-volt system. Range Rover didn't say if
the system can drive the Evoque on electricity alone for short distances but
said the 48-volt system can cut power at 11 mph or slower to save fuel.
The Evoque sports the next generation of an all-wheel-drive
system it helped pioneer. The Active Driveline system that's optional on most
Evoques, but standard on top P300 versions, can shuttle power between front and
rear wheels, simulate torque vectoring, and virtually "lock" the rear
wheels on loose surfaces like sand. A similar system appeared in the last
Evoque and Jaguar E-Pace. The Evoque also offers Range Rover's latest Terrain
Select 2 system that modulates throttle, brake, and crawling functions on a
variety of surfaces, including Snow, Sand, Mud, and Catwalk. (One of those is
made up.) Range Rover says the Evoque's ground clearance is 8.3 inches and it
can wade in water up to two feet deep.
A innovative camera system that can show drivers what's
underneath the vehicle is a first for Range Rover. The so-called ClearSight
Ground View system digitally removes parts of the vehicle to help the driver
place the wheels on tough terrain. It's the first application of a system we
saw in 2014 from Range Rover.
Range Rover says its AWD system can disconnect the rear
wheels to save fuel when traction isn't needed and that the body is 13 percent
stiffer than the outgoing model for a quieter, calmer ride.
For suspensions, the Evoque uses MacPherson struts up front
and an integral rear link setup for better on-road behavior and more room in
the cargo area. An optional adaptive suspension is available on top models,
like the outgoing version, that should help quell judders from the tall 21-inch
wheels. Though it's just fractions of an inch larger than the outgoing vehicle,
the new Evoque adds an inch of rear knee room and a cubic foot of storage space
in back.
2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Inside, the Evoque can sport the brand's latest touchscreen
control system that debuted in the Velar. Called Touch Pro Duo, it pairs two
10-inch touchscreens for infotainment and vehicle functions, and adds a
12.3-inch driver information gauge cluster.
All the leather and soft-touch materials are available for
the Evoque's interior, but, like the Velar, a premium cloth option is available
for buyers more into high fashion than high country.
Range Rover didn't say how much the new Evoque will cost
when it goes on sale next year, but it's a safe bet it won't cost less than the
current model's $42,795 base price or $58,295 for a higher-spec version.
The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque will make its U.S.
auto show debut in February at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1120069_2020-land-rover-range-rover-evoque-first-look-sleek-has-a-sequel
by Aaron Cole
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Monday, December 10, 2018
Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - F-Type rally car celebrates 70 years of Jaguar sports cars - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
Jaguar has developed a pair of F-Type Convertible rally cars
to celebrate 70 years of its sports car heritage. In particular, they give a
nod to Jaguar's first sports car, the XK120 introduced in 1948. We'll just
ignore the SS-100 launched the previous decade by SS Cars, the company that was
renamed Jaguar in 1945.
The modern F-Type rally cars were unveiled Monday but have
already been driven in anger. The cars were recently put through their paces at
the Walters Arena rally stage in the south of Wales, and in the coming months
they will attend a number of Jaguar-planned events.
The cars are said to meet unspecified FIA homologation rules for rallying and come powered by the F-Type's entry-level engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that generates a maximum 300 horsepower.
The cars are said to meet unspecified FIA homologation rules for rallying and come powered by the F-Type's entry-level engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that generates a maximum 300 horsepower.
The cars feature upgrades to the brakes, suspension and
drivetrain, including hand-built competition dampers and softer springs to
ensure they can tackle punishing terrain. For example, three-way adjustable
dampers allow them to be tuned for different surfaces. A limited-slip
differential also improves power delivery on loose surfaces while a hydraulic
handbrake, with a carbon fiber grip, helps drivers tackle hairpin bends.
Of course, there are numerous safety mods added too. These
include FIA-spec racing seats with six-point harnesses, plus a roll cage, fire
extinguisher and hood-mounted light pod.
Interestingly, the XK120 that
the F-Type rally cars celebrate achieved successes in various rallies. These
included early events such as the RAC, Tulip and Alpine rallies. No word yet if
an F-Type rally car will ever be built for competition use.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1119859_f-type-rally-car-celebrates-70-years-of-jaguar-sports-cars
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Friday, December 7, 2018
Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- Mercedes-AMG GT now with digital dash - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
Mercedes-AMG on Wednesday unveiled a subtle facelift for its
GT sports car at the 2018 Los Angeles auto show, as well as a new flagship
model: the GT R Pro.
The changes constitute a mid-cycle update for AMG's
standalone sports car which first arrived as a 2016 model. We expect this
updated version to go on sale in 2019 as a 2020 model, where it will go head to
head with the redesigned
Porsche 911that also debuted Wednesday in L.A.
Not wanting to mess with the sexy lines of the GT, the
exterior is almost unchanged. That's a good thing. Instead, the designers have
focused on the cabin, installing the center console of AMG's recently launched
GT 4-Door Coupe as well as digital instrument cluster. It means there's now a
12.3-inch screen behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch screen at the top
of the center stack. The latter serves as the infotainment hub.
Also new in the cabin is the steering wheel design which
features a motorsport-inspired flat bottom and a heavily contoured rim for
perfect grip. The steering wheel cover in black nappa leather is also
perforated at the sides for extra grip. Controls on the wheel can be used to
adjust the instrument cluster and infotainment settings.
On the outside, the internals of the lights have been
revised at both ends. The rear fascia is also now more sculpted and the
designers have used different exhaust tips to help better differentiate the
various models. Lower models get round tips while the GT C sports AMG's
signature square tips. The exhaust on the range-topping GT R sticks with the
current model's central mounting.
There isn't any extra power, meaning the base model's output
remains at 469 horsepower. The GT S is no longer included so above the base
model is the GT C with 550 hp and GT R with 577 hp. The new GT R Pro also has
577 hp.
Instead of upping the power, AMG focused on sharpening the
handling with a new electronic aid called AMG Dynamics. Essentially a control
for the electronic stability control system, AMG Dynamics allows the driver to
fine tune the power distribution at the rear axles and steering
characteristics. It has the modes Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Race
and Individual.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1120170_mercedes-amg-gt-now-with-digital-dash
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - BMW says Level 5 self-driving car for public could happen by 2021 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
Developing an autonomous car ready for the public is a huge
task that has consumed tech companies for years, with millions of miles of
on-testing that has cost hundreds of millions of dollars. It's not easy.
BMW says they could accomplish the task in about two years.
Wait, what?
On Tuesday, BMW executives said they could sell a car to the
public that would be capable of driving itself—without a steering wheel. The
only factors keeping them from selling a completely self-driving car?
Government regulations and high-resolution maps.
Klaus Froehlich, BMW Group Board of Management responsible
for product development, told Motor Authority the company would be
ready as quickly as 2021.
In other words, BMW thinks it will be able to beat Google's
Waymo self-driving car division to a wide market with its own
technology. Waymo reportedly plans to begin a self-driving car taxi service
next month.
The luxury brand says it will have the technology ready for
the production version of the Vision iNext SUV due in 2021. Silicon Valley
has continuously poured billions of dollars into the technology, and thus far,
it's only been capable of operating at slower speeds in geofenced areas. Not to
mention, only in warm and relatively dry climates. We've yet to see any
self-driving vehicle tackle a Midwestern snowstorm that blankets road markings.
As a refresher, a Level 5 self-driving car is capable
of complete autonomy without the need to hand over controls to a human driver
in any situation.
BMW jointly purchased a machine-readable map, known as
the HD Live Map from a company called HERE, back
in 2015 for $3.1 billion. But Mercedes-Benz and Audi also went in on the
purchase. Mercedes-Benz has since implemented the mapping into its self-driving
car technology. The maps are incredibly detailed and feature the ability to
update itself via cars in the network. Thus, the map knows when a lane shuts
down and can provide other warnings. It's unclear what BMW has done with its
purchase of HERE already.
The German brand has been quiet on its self-driving vehicle
progress thus far, while Waymo and General Motors have publicly boasted about
milestones and future goals. Even Mercedes-Benz plans to start a self-driving
car trial service next year. The Vision iNext SUV is slated
to debut in production form in 2021 as a technology flagship, which
means the brand likely has a lot of work to do in the next two years if it
plans to beat the front runners.
source https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1120176_bmw-says-level-5-self-driving-car-for-public-could-happen-by-2021
by Sean Szymkowski
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Monday, December 3, 2018
Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Aston Martin reveals DBX name, first prototype for SUV - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000
Aston Martin on Wednesday gave us our first look at its
highly anticipated SUV with the reveal of an early prototype.
The automaker also confirmed the DBX name for the vehicle
which will enter production at a new plant in Wales next year. The reveal is
scheduled for late 2019, suggesting we'll see it arrive as a 2020 model.
Some readers will recall that Aston Martin used the DBX name
for a 2015
concept previewing the SUV (shown below). There were rumors the
automaker would go with a different name for production, with Varekai being one
of the suggestions. Instead, the automaker has chosen to stick with DBX which
links the SUV with the DB line of sports cars.
Judging from the photos and video, the DBX will be a small SUV with proportions similar to those of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. We're looking at a very early prototype so the design will evolve as development progresses. There is also a lot of camo gear, including fake panels, tacked on to hide the true shape.
We know the SUV will utilize a new platform developed
specifically for a high-riding vehicle capable of off-road conditions.
Specifically, Aston Martin will focus on suspension technology to address the
SUV's mass, size and purpose. This has required a new type of testing procedure
for the automaker normally focused on sports cars.
For the first real-world test, Aston Martin Chief Engineer
Matt Becker drove a prototype along a Welsh Rally stage. Eventually, prototypes
will be sent around the globe to tackle the harshest environments, from the
frozen Arctic and scorching deserts of the Middle East to high Alpine passes
and the high-speed demands of the German autobahn and Nürburgring racetrack.
While Aston Martin first imagined the SUV as an electric
car, that has changed due to the revival of Lagonda as Aston Martin's new
electric car brand. CEO Andy Palmer confirmed Aston Martin dropped plans
for the electric powertrain in April. However, a hybrid powertrain is a
possibility. The standard powertrain meanwhile will likely be the 4.0-liter
twin-turbocharged V-8 Aston Martin sources from Mercedes-AMG.
As mentioned above, production will happen in Wales, at
Aston Martin's St Athan plant currently under construction. The plant will
start with production of the Rapide
E electric sedan and then the DBX, followed by a pair of Lagonda
offerings early next decade.
The DBX is the fourth of seven cars promised under Aston
Martin's Second Century plan. The first was the DB11 which has since been
followed by a redesigned Vantage and new DBS Superleggera. After the DBX will
come a Vanquish supercar and then a Lagonda SUV and sedan. Aston Martin will
then repeat the seven-car cycle with redesigned models. And along the way we'll
also see special edition models like the Valkyrie and 003 hypercars.
source: https://www2.motorauthority.com/news/1119905_aston-martin-reveals-dbx-name-first-prototype-for-suv
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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