VW - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2024 Volkswagen Touareg spy shots- Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 The Touareg disappeared from U.S. shores after 2017, prior to the current third-generation model being launched. The SUV is now about to receive an update that will be revealed later this year as a 2024 model, and no, the nameplate isn't returning to these shores.

The update will be mild, judging by the prototype. Look for a revised front end with new designs for the headlights, grille, and front fascia. These elements are partially camouflaged but we can see that the intakes in the front fascia resemble those on the Tiguan. The compact Tiguan is also about to be updated.

It isn't clear what VW has planned for the powertrains in the Touareg. It's likely some of the current diesel offerings will be dropped and possibly replaced with more plug-in hybrid options. The top-of-the-line Touareg R, which is also a plug-in hybrid, may also get increased performance. Its current turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and electric motor combination is good for 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

With VW offering the mid-size Atlas here in the U.S., and planning a mid-size electric SUV that will likely go by the name ID.8, this could very well be the last Touareg equipped with an internal-combustion engine.

Note, the Touareg is a twin under the skin with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, and both these models are also being updated. Prototypes for the updated Cayenne and updated Q7 have also been spotted.

 source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1136256_2024-volkswagen-touareg-spy-shots

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com

 

Mercedes - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class plug-in hybrid packs 510 hp, $123,700 sticker - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

The latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class has spawned a plug-in hybrid option.

It's known as the S 580e, and Mercedes on Monday announced that the electrified luxury sedan reaches dealerships in the first half of 2023, as a 2023 model.

Order books are already open, and pricing is confirmed to start at $123,700, including a $1,150 destination charge.

The S 580e's powertrain consists of a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 combined with a single electric motor, and its drive goes to all four wheels. Combined output is a healthy 510 hp, or enough for 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.1 seconds and a governed top speed of 155 mph. The same powertrain features in a Maybach S 580e that will be offered overseas.

2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e

 Being a plug-in hybrid, a pure electric range is possible, albeit with output in this mode limited to 148 hp. The car packs a 21.5-kwh battery that Mercedes said delivers a range of 62 miles on the WLTP cycle used overseas. The stricter EPA cycle would result in a lower range. Using a DC fast charger can charge the battery from 10-80% in approximately 20 minutes, according to Mercedes.

The S 580e isn't the only plug-in hybrid version of the latest S-Class. The 2023 model year also sees the arrival of the S 63 E Performance from AMG. This high-performance sedan features a twin-turbo V-8 and electric motor up front and a second electric motor at the rear, with all the power units delivering a combined 791 hp. Pricing for this model will be announced closer to the market launch later this year.

 source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1138757_2023-mercedes-benz-s-class-plug-in-hybrid-price

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com

BMW - Repair and Service Redwood City - BMW and Valeo working on automated valet for both private and public parking garages - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000 -

 

BMW and French automotive supplier Valeo are expanding their partnership in the area of self-driving technology to cover automated parking systems that can be used in both private and public parking garages.

The two companies already entered into an agreement last summer to use some of Valeo's self-driving technology on BMW's upcoming Neue Klasse family of electric vehicles, including a central computer, sensors, and software for automated low-speed maneuvering.

The two companies this week said they will also work together to develop an automated parking system ranked at Level 4 on the SAE scale of self-driving technology. Level 4 means a vehicle can operate without a driver, albeit with restrictions, the main one typically being within a geofenced area.

The companies said they are working on automated parking systems that rely fully on the vehicle's onboard self-driving technology, as well as parking systems that also rely on certain infrastructure installed in the parking garage. Mercedes-Benz and Bosch have developed the second type of parking system and have already deployed it at one of the parking garages of Stuttgart Airport in Germany.

Like the Mercedes and Bosch system, BMW and Valeo plan to develop a system that lets the driver leave the car at a drop-off zone, after which the car takes over tasks such as finding a parking spot, the necessary maneuvers for parking in and out, and then driving back to a pick-up zone.

BMW has already introduced self-driving technology that makes driving in tight parking garages easier. Its Maneuver Assistant offered in the iX electric SUV can remember a path driven by the driver, for instance into a tricky parking spot, and then automatically perform the maneuver the next time. However, the driver needs to remain in the vehicle.

There was no mention of when a Level 4 automated parking system might be installed in a BMW vehicle, but the first Neue Klasse EV is due in 2025.

  source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1138793_bmw-and-valeo-working-on-automated-valet-for-both-private-and-public-parking-garages

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com