Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE580 arrives with mild-hybrid V-8 power - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Mercedes-Benz has added V-8 power to its newest GLE with the arrival of the 2020 GLE580.

The powertrain is a mild-hybrid setup combining a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with a beefed-up electric starter motor able to aid the engine during high loads and recover energy under braking and coasting. The same setup features in the redesigned 2020 GLS, also in 580 guise.

The powertrain delivers 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, and during high loads receives a boost from the electric motor of 21 hp and 184 lb-ft. A 9-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive system complete the drivetrain.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS, 2019 New York International Auto Show

The mild-hybrid technology helps reduce fuel consumption compared to a standalone V-8, though EPA-rated fuel economy won't be revealed until closer to the market launch in late 2019.

The GLE580 is priced from $77,795, including destination, and benefits from a long list of standard extras. The list includes air suspension with adjustable dampers, leather trim, an AMG sport package, dual 12.3-inch displays, natural-speak voice activation, augmented reality video for the navigation, and third-row seats.

The GLE580 helps fill the gap between the GLE53, another mild-hybrid model, and a redesigned GLE63 that's on the way. The latter should come with a twin-turbo V-8 delivering over 600 hp.

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City -Jaguar F type to Receive Electrification Dash - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

It's hard to believe that the Jaguar F-Type has been on sale since the 2014 model year as the sultry sports car is still one of the best-looking options in its segment.

Jaguar is now working on a major update for the car, with electrification, a digital dash, and revised styling all in the pipeline.

Thursday posted spy shots of a prototype that reveals the updated car will sport slimmer, wraparound headlights instead of the current model's tapered design. The hood and front fascia will also be massaged to fit the new lights, while at the rear the taillights will be tweaked to match the design on the updated 2020 XE.

Jaguar Land Rover inline-6 engine

The British publication also reported that Jaguar will finally ditch the supercharged V-6 used in the F-Type in favor of an electrified inline-6 powertrain that's already been announced by Land Rover for some 2020 models. In the 2020 Range Rover, the powertrain offers outputs of 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque in P360 guise and 395 hp and 406 lb-ft in P400 guise.

The powertrain is a mild-hybrid setup combining a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 with a beefed-up electric starter motor that can aid the engine during high loads and recover energy under braking and coasting. There's also an electric compressor that helps build boost pressure before revs rise and the conventional turbocharger takes over.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1112896_jaguar-f-type-to-receive-electrification-digital-dash

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar, Mercedes, Range Rover, Porsche Service - Remember Memorial Day We Will Never Forget - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

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Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Audi not giving up on fuel cells, new prototype coming this year - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Although Audi plans for a slew of new electric cars, fuel-cell technology is far from dead at the German luxury brand.

According to an Autocar report on Friday, Audi has serious concerns about sourcing battery materials for electric cars responsibly and meeting customer demands for range and charging. That has led Audi to spearhead hydrogen fuel-cell development once again. Per the report, Audi will resume development under its h-tron program and Audi will be the source of any major breakthroughs within VW Group.

Audi h-tron quattro concept, 2016 Detroit Auto Show

Audi Chairman Bram Schot said the goal is to speed up development for fuel cell vehicles, which have largely taken a backseat to electric cars in recent years. Toyota and Hyundai are two players with production fuel cell vehicles that are either on sale (Toyota) or prepping for sale (Hyundai) in select markets. General Motors also teased plans for a hydrogen fuel cell pickup truck for U.S. Army use and partnered with Honda for future fuel cell research and production.

Schot also confirmed the brand will debut new fuel cell prototype car later this year, and said a limited-run fuel cell vehicle could be offered via a lease program no later than 2021. Audi isn't taking an official position, but Schot thinks FCVs can enter volume production in the second half of the next decade.

Audi h-tron quattro concept, 2016 Detroit Auto Show

Any new fuel cell technology won't be exclusive to Audi, however. The German luxury brand partnered with Hyundai last June to cross-license the technology for future vehicles. The terms of the partnership call for both companies to share expertise and patents. Eventually, the two want to bring production fuel cell vehicles to market quicker. Audi has shown two fuel cell concepts in the past: the A7 h-tron and the h-tron crossover concept. However, both never materialized as Audi poured more resources into its electric car portfolio.

Audi's concerns over material sourcing may be valid. As more automakers make the switch to zero-emission cars, raw materials for batteries will become that much more important. Hydrogen fuel cells, on the other hand, could be more sustainable. Fuel cell refueling times are similar to gasoline-powered vehicle, though hydrogen infrastructure remains a major hurdle.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1122924_audi-not-giving-up-on-fuel-cells-new-prototype-coming-this-year

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - BMW celebrates 35 years of fast sedans with special M5 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

The BMW M5 is turning 35, and to celebrate the automaker on Thursday announced the 2020 M5 Edition 35 Years.

Just 350 will be built for worldwide sale, and of these just 35 are headed to the United States, each priced from $128,995. That figure includes destination and a gas guzzler tax and is actually less expensive than the similar 30th anniversary model launched five years ago.

2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years

The M5 Edition 35 Years is based on the M5 Competition model, which means it gets the spicier version of the M5's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 that doles out 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. We all know that's a conservative rating, though.

Thanks to all-wheel drive helping to get all that power to the ground, the M5 Edition 35 Years will sprint to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and keep going until it reaches a top speed of 189 mph. That's the type of performance you'll get in an entry-level supercar, but the BMW also has ample space for five and a trunk to carry all of their gear.

2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years

To ensure it stands out, BMW offers the car in a unique shade of gray that's actually a metallic finish that features a special pigmentation to create the appearance of a matte finish. The car also wears 20-inch wheels with their own exclusive gray finish and the brake calipers are gloss black. The trunk lid also loses its badges to give the car that sleeper look.

Inside, the seats are lined in black leather with contrasting beige stitching, and there's no missing the gold accent lining the dash, center console and top of the door panels. The door sill plates and the center console also feature the script “M5 Edition 35 Jahre,” Jahre being the German word for “Years.”

2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years

Naturally, the car is also fitted with many available extras as standard. These include an Executive Package that adds niceties such as soft-close automatic doors, powered window shades for the rear, wireless charging for mobile devices, and a 360-degree camera. Also included is the M Driver’s Package, which in addition to raising the top speed to 189 mph from the standard 155-mph mark, includes access to a BMW performance driving course.

Since the debut of the original E28 generation at an auto show in Amsterdam in 1984, the BMW M5 has gone on to become recognized as the pinnacle of executive sports sedans. And even after all these years, during which six generations have been launched, the M5 is still a benchmark used by rivals looking to compete. Thankfully, age hasn't slowed down the M5 one bit.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1123126_bmw-celebrates-35-years-of-fast-sedans-with-special-m5

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - First details on the next Range Rover - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Land Rover in May announced its 2020 updates for the Range Rover, which include a new inline-6 engine and mild-hybrid system as the base powertrain.

But the current Range Rover dates back to 2013 so a redesigned, fifth-generation version should be arriving in the not too distant future.

We now have the first details on the redesigned Range Rover, courtesy of a report published on Monday by Autocar. According to the British publication, the redesigned Range Rover will arrive in 2021 and ride on a next-generation platform dubbed MLA (Modular Longitudinal Architecture) that debuts this year in the new Land Rover Defender.

The MLA platform has been designed to fit battery-electric powertrains and will eventually underpin most models from the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. The platform will also be lighter than the aluminum-intensive D7u platform underpinning the current Range Rover.

2019 Land Rover Range Rover P400e

A mild-hybrid powertrain will reportedly be included, likely in base guise, while a new plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring an inline-6 mated to an electric motor at the front axle and a second electric motor powering the rear axle is expected to replace the current Range Rover plug-in hybrid's single-electric motor setup. A battery-electric powertrain will also be offered and targeted at buyers in urban areas, per the Autocar report.

It seems a V-8 engine isn't part of the plan, unfortunately.

Styling of the redesigned Range Rover is expected to follow an evolutionary path, with a sleeker look established by the current Range Rover Velar likely to carry over to the Range Rover flagship. We've also heard that the redesigned Range Rover will be made more upscale to further separate it from the related Range Rover Sport and other mid-size luxury SUV contenders.

The Autocar report also makes mention of a new addition to the Range Rover family: the oft-rumored Road Rover. This road-biased model will reportedly be a pure electric model developed in tandem with a redesigned Jaguar XJ.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1123053_first-details-on-the-next-range-rover

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Aston Martin - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato resurrected for Zagato's 100th anniversary - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

The Italian design house Zagato celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and a Swiss company is planning quite the toast to its centennial.

AF Racing and its newly announced R-Reforged brand will create 38 new Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato models based on the original, which debuted in concept form in 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Effectively, the new car is a production continuation of the 150 sought-after cars built in 2011 and 2012.

Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato by R-Reforged

The 38 new cars will be available as coupes and speedsters and production will be split evenly between the two, according to the R-Reforged website. Previously, the Vantage V12 Zagato was only available as a coupe. Another catch: buyers won't choose one or the other, they get the pair for one price.

The finer details aren't available from R-Reforged, so we have to assume the same 6.0-liter V-12 will sit under the sensuous hood and it will make the same 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The original cars featured a 6-speed manual transmission, which fed power to the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential. The British luxury brand promised a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds at the production car's debut in 2012. The new cars seem to be identical to the coupe that debuted seven years ago, save for the absence of a top on the speedster and the lack of a rear spoiler on the coupe. We assume more color and material options will be offered to buyers this time around as well. The originals were available in four colors.

Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato by R-Reforged

For those wondering how AF Racing and its R-Reforged brand can build a continuation Aston Martin, the former holds close ties with the British luxury marque. AF Racing is a technical partner for the upcoming Valkyrie hypercar and also operates the Vynamic subsidiary that oversees Aston Martin racing operations in Germany's DTM racing series.

As for the price, we don't know yet. The original Vantage V12 Zagato cost about $540,000 based on exchange rates at the time. We're talking two cars now and an even smaller production run, so we doubt this will be a "buy one, get one" sort of deal.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1122722_aston-martin-vantage-v12-zagato-resurrected-for-zagatos-100th-anniversary

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- Mercedes-AMG confirms details on next-generation SL-Class - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Rumors have swirled about the next-generation SL-Class, and now Mercedes-AMG head Tobias Moers has confirmed development is underway with direct oversight from AMG.

The information comes from a Thursday AutoCar report. It marks the first time AMG has overseen the SL-Class, and it means the next-generation model will have an inherently sportier and performance-oriented character. The plan to take the SL-Class into new performance realms spurred Mercedes-Benz to hand development over to AMG exclusively. Moers added the SL-Class and next AMG GT will share a platform: the Modular Sports Architecture.

The move to share a platform should help Mercedes-Benz increase economies of scale and profitability.

2019 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

Moers said he's honored the brand he oversees has been tasked with the development of the next SL and the division isn't taking it lightly. He said the next car will bring back the "historic DNA" found in the SL-Class, which dates back to the beloved Gullwing models of the 1950s. Autocar also reported the next SL-Class will revert to a soft-top roof instead of the hard-top it has used for recent generations. The move will reduce weight in AMG's mission to make the convertible lighter, faster, and more engaging to drive.

Platform sharing should lead to numerous shared components between the AMG GT and SL-Class. The suspension, steering systems, 48-volt electrical system, and hybrid drivetrains should all be common between the two cars. The MSA architecture reportedly has done good things for the SL's proportions and design, too. We should expect a longer hood and a cabin pushed further back to emphasize the car's proportions. The soft-top roof has also reportedly opened up more freedom for the car's rear end styling.

When the SL debuts, expect a hybridized lineup of powertrains. At the bottom of the hierarchy will likely be a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 aided by Mercedes' EQ Boost system. It will be used in the SL450 model and make 365 horsepower with an additional 22 hp from the hybrid system to aid acceleration. An AMG-tuned SL53 version of the powertrain will reportedly bump power to 430 hp. The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 isn't going anywhere, however, and should also benefit from electrification. The V-8 will provide a gateway to a more powerful SL-Class with more than 600 hp.

2019 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

A previous report also noted a possible turbocharged V-8 paired to electric motors with an output of 805 hp, though AutoCar didn't confirm that powertrain.

We'll likely learn more about the new SL-Class in the near future. Prototypes will hit the roads for testing this year, per Moers, and the car should launch no later than 2021.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1122685_mercedes-amg-confirms-details-on-next-generation-sl-class

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Jaguar - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Sharper look for 2020 Jaguar XE - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

New car shoppers are going wild for crossovers right now and sadly that's left many sedans languishing in showrooms.

Even impressive contenders like the Jaguar XE, which features punchy engines, a low center of gravity, and a lightweight aluminum platform, are failing to excite the market, with Jaguar last year selling only around 5,000 XEs in the United States

The automaker has now revealed a mid-cycle refresh that hopefully will boost the numbers.

The update sees the face of the XE become a bit more distinctive. The headlights, which are now LEDs as standard, are new and have been made slimmer compared to the previous model. The taillights are also LEDs and include a new graphic.

The interior was also an area of focus, with designers striving to make things feel more premium through the use of standard leather trim and more soft-touch materials. A digital instrument cluster, digital rearview mirror, head-up display, and wireless charging pad are all available, and there's now a proper gearshift lever for the standard 8-speed automatic.

Several electronic driver aids are included, either standard or available. Among these are a driver alertness monitor and a park assist feature with automatic steering. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone intergration are now standard.

2020 Jaguar XE

The outgoing model's diesel and supercharged V-6 are no longer in the lineup. Instead, Jaguar has kept things simple by offering a single gasoline powertrain, in this case a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with outputs of 247 (P250) and 296 (P300) horsepower. All-wheel drive is available with the 247-hp powertrain and standard with the 296-hp option. The latter combo will see the XE hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.

Though it's yet to be confirmed, we could see a 3.0 turbocharged inline-6 made available shortly. The powertrain is already available in the Land Rover Range Rover Sport where it delivers 395 hp.

The 2020 Jaguar XE reaches showrooms in the summer with a base price of $40,895. Rivals include the BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1121726_sharper-look-for-2020-jaguar-xe

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Audi - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Try not to drool over this 1986 Audi Sport Quattro - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

There may be no more desirable classic Audi than the limited run of Sport Quattros. The coupe, homologated for Group B rally racing, is an icon for Audi enthusiasts. Those with the right bank balances can turn a dream into a reality because one has surfaced for sale.

Canepa listed this 1986 Audi Sport Quattro for sale on its website with limited information. It's one of 224 Audi homologated for racing purposes and features a bright red exterior color with a black and gray interior upholstered in cloth and leather.

1986 Audi Sport Quattro

Per the information available, the 1986 Sport Quattro has been through three owners in its lifetime. The car was originally imported to the United States to promote the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb event in 1986. It ended up sticking around in this part of the world and was federalized to become street-legal shortly thereafter. The mileage listed is 34,047.

1986 Audi Sport Quattro

Like all Sport Quattros, a 2.1-liter 5-cylinder turbocharged engine rated at more than 300 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque lurks under the hood. Canepa said it has performed "extensive mechanical servicing." Read into that what you will.

1986 Audi Sport Quattro

Audi Sport Quattros were desirable since they were built, but they may have become even more popular after Audi effectively ruled out a modern Sport Quattro. The brand showed two modern concepts that hinted at a new Sport Quattro this decade—once in 2010 and another time in 2013. With Audi's shift to electrification and electric sports cars, the Sport Quattro will be relegated to the past. That's not such a bad thing as it makes this quirky sport coupe even more special.

Canepa doesn't list a price for the car, but don't expect it to be affordable. Recent Sport Quattros sold at auction have gone for more than half of a million dollars and those cars weren't massaged by Canepa.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1122772_try-not-to-drool-over-this-1986-audi-sport-quattro-for-sale

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

BMW - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - BMW explains the science of 0-60 mph times - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

The 0-60 mph time has been a measure of performance for a long time and cars have continued to reduce their times over decades. 

BMW decided to explain what goes into shaving seconds off of a 0-60 mph time and it involves a few key areas. The basics show that all of the power a car has needs to work against all of the weight the car carries. That's a very bare look at the topic, but it's a good starting point from Sir Isaac Newton.

However, we the arrive at aerodynamics. Aero drag rises with velocity, which means drag increases the faster a car goes. Drag is an important factor when it comes to incredibly high speeds, but plays more of a minor role in 0-60 mph times. Nevertheless, a sleek car is going to arrive at 60 mph quicker than a brick on wheels.

Another important aspect is weight. This is a pretty simple idea that we see often: add power and subtract weight. It's a reason why race cars and some production cars will strip out an interior with non-essentials in the name of weight savings. The less mass there is to move, the quicker it scoots to 60 mph. Weight isn't the defining factor, though. If it was, a decades-old M3 would be quicker to 60 mph than a new M3.

The power to weight ratio arrives on the scene to play one of the most important factors on 0-60 mph times. Now, it's not about low weight, but also a lot of power. The lower the ratio, the better the 0-60 mph sprint a car will clock. It's why we constantly see efforts to make more power and take out weight in even luxurious sports cars.

Now, it won't matter how much power a car has if it can't actually transfer the power to the ground. That takes us to tires. Grippy tires are essential to minimize wheel spin. If a car boasts 600 horsepower but all it wants to do is spin the wheels when it's time to accelerate from a standstill, that doesn't do the car any good. Ensuring the tires have a sticky ground to grab onto is also key.

Finally, driver assistance technologies round out the latest improvement to 0-60 mph times. Launch control is really more of a modern phenomenon that's no longer reserved for the most elite supercars. With it, a computer dials in the perfect spot in the powerband to ensure minimal tire spin. Before that, drivers needed to find the sweet spot themselves, which could either lead to a really slow start in an effort to keep tire spin low, or just too much tire spin altogether.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1122225_bmw-explains-the-science-of-0-60-mph-times

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Range Rover - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Updated Land Rover Range Rover Sentinel adds power to armored SUV - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Flashback to 2015 and recall Jaguar-Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations revealed an armored version of the swanky Range Rover with the Sentinel badge. On Monday, the Range Rover Sentinel got a shot in the arm of more power.

SVO announced the armored SUV is now fitted with the supercharged 5.0-liter V-8. Previously, armored protection only came with the supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that made 340 horsepower. That engine is on its way out at Land Rover, to be replaced with a new inline-6. The supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 brings 375 hp to the party and lets the hulking SUV lumber from 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds. That sounds slow, but there's more than one ton worth of armor protection baked into the Range Rover Sentinel. It's also six tenths of a second faster than it was with the V-6. Land Rover offers 500-plus horsepower versions of the V-8, but this vehicle is about protection, not performance.

2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sentinel

The SUV is fully ballistic- and blast-certified thanks to its six-piece armored passenger cell made of high-strength steel. Multi-laminated armored glass is also used for the windows to make the most-susceptible areas safe. Other features that make the Range Rover Sentinel one of the best beasts for protection include an anti-tamper exhaust, a self-sealing fuel tank, a backup battery system, and run-flat tires. The tires can keep the SUV moving at speeds up to 50 mph for 30 miles if one should puncture.

Those who need utmost discretion can take advantage of a document delivery system, which is a fancy way of saying one front window can drop a maximum of 6 inches. It also has a "public address" feature that lets occupants speak to outsiders without leaving the comfort and safety of the Range Rover Sentinel. Options include sirens and emergency light packages.

2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sentinel

To handle all of the extra weight, the Range Rover Sentinel packs all the necessary suspension, braking, electronic assist, and chassis upgrades. Land Rover said the hefty SUV still performs like a regular model when it comes to handling and driving dynamics, though we find that impossible given all the extra weight. Inside, Land Rover's newest Touch Pro Duo dual-screen infotainment and control system is now standard and passenger headroom is greater than before.

The SUV made its debut at the Home Office Security and Policing Show this week in the UK. Pricing was not included in the announcement, but the previous model cost around $447,000. Security doesn't come cheaply.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1121912_updated-land-rover-range-rover-sentinel-adds-power-to-armored-suv

by Sean Szymkowski

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Porsche - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Porsche reportedly plans electric 718 sports car by 2022 - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Porsche is developing an electric 718 sports car for launch around 2022, Autocar reported on Tuesday.

Prototype 718s with electric powertrains are being developed alongside one with a hybrid powertrain, the British publication has learned from Porsche CEO Oliver Blume.

Dr. Oliver Blume

“We have prototypes of the 718 running in electric now, and a hybrid prototype is being built,” he said. “If you look to the next generation of those cars it is possible, although it is not yet clear whether it would be plug-in hybrid or hybrid.”

Blume in April hinted that an electric 718 was possible, but ruled out any chance of an electric 911.

2019 Porsche 718 Boxster T

He also said in March that any electric Porsche would have to be based on a dedicated EV platform, indicating that the electric 718 could be the first recipient of the SPE (Sports car Platform Electric) modular EV platform mentioned at a Volkswagen Group investor presentation held last November. An alternative is the PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform that will underpin an electric Macan due around 2021.

Should a hybrid 718 also reach production, it will likely be based on an upgraded version of the current 718's platform. Porsche is expected to follow a similar strategy with its electric Macan, selling the zero-emission version alongside the existing internal-combustion model.

2019 Porsche 718 Cayman T

Autocar posits that the need for a hybrid 718 is due to the electric version being limited on range by current lithium-ion battery technology. Remember, the 718 is a small, lightweight sports car, so it can't have a big and hulking battery.

The hybrid technology will likely be borrowed from the setup being developed for hybrid versions of the new 992-generation 911. Essentially, an electric motor-generator is integrated with the transmission. Both mild- and plug-in hybrid setups are said to be on the table. In the case of the former, the motor-generator would only aid the engine whereas in the latter the motor-generator would be able to power the wheels alone for short distances thanks to a bigger battery being fitted.

Porsche Boxster E electric prototype

Note, Porsche rolled out an electric Boxster prototype as early as 2011. Called the Boxster E, the prototype was developed purely for research purposes and came with a 29-kilowatt-hour battery and a single electric motor good for 240 horsepower.

The accelerated growth in demand for EVs in the premium sector has caught many automakers by surprise, including Porsche. Only recently the automaker was predicting that half its lineup could be electrified (hybrids and EVs) by 2025, but now it's openly stating that half the lineup could be made up of cars running solely on electric power by that date.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1122732_porsche-reportedly-plans-electric-718-sports-car-by-2022

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com

Mercedes - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City- 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series spy shots - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

Mercedes-AMG’s GT has just been updated, but a bigger, badder and presumably faster version of the Affalterbach tuner’s standalone sports car has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring and on some surrounding streets.

The car looks like the track-focused GT R Pro, but there are clues that suggest we’re looking a tester for something even more hardcore. We’re talking about a GT Black Series, a car AMG boss Tobias Moers has said will be ready for sale in 2020. This means we’ll likely see it introduced as a 2021 model.

Developing a Black Series model isn’t just about dialing up the juice. Some readers will recall that the SLS AMG Black Series actually had less torque than the standard model.

If we were to hazard a guess, expect aerodynamic enhancements, weight reduction, race-bred suspension, and a suitably angrier look. We know the tester shown here features a roll cage and a lightweight, plexiglass rear windshield.

If you look closely in some of the shots, you’ll also notice the central exhaust pipe normally found on the GT R has been removed. Instead, there are two exhaust pipes, one on either side of the rear. They’re hidden behind the diffuser. Such a design is common to AMG's GT4 race car.

Under the hood will be the familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8. It delivers 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet in AMG's GT 4-Door Coupe super sedan, and such an output should be more than adequate to fling about the GT Black Series, although there are rumors we could see as much as 700 hp, perhaps with the aid of some electrification. The GT R Pro is already one of the fastest rear-wheel-drive production cars around the ‘Ring, with a time of 7:04.63, and it only has 577 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

In the car’s cross hairs will be Porsche’s 911 GT2 RS. Pretty much every other 911 variant is kept in check by the GT R Pro, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the GT Black Series has what it takes to tackle the flagship 911. Other potential targets include McLaren's 600LT and the Lamborghini Huracan Performante.

Stay tuned for updates as development continues.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1091650_2021-mercedes-amg-gt-black-series-spy-shots-and-video

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

http://www.boscheuropean.com