Range Rover - Repair and Service Redwood City - DEFENDER OCTA BLACK: THE TOUGH LUXURY 4X4 ROCK STAR - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

 

 

 

Defender OCTA, the master of extreme performance on‑ and off‑road, has a new, even bolder attitude: Defender OCTA Black. 

Extensive black detailing for the high‑performance 4x4 hero gives the toughest, most capable and most luxurious model in the Defender family an even more purposeful presence and even greater luxury.

As many as 30 exterior elements have received black finishes as part of the transformation. Defender OCTA Black is finished in Narvik Black: the truest black in the Defender paint palette. Narvik Black is deep and dark with a gloss finish as standard, but clients can personalise the exterior of their OCTA Black by choosing an optional Matte Protective Film.

The front undershield and rear scuff plates are finished in Satin Black Powder Coat with exposed recovery eyes in Satin Black, while a Gloss Black tow eye cover at the front and Gloss Black quad exhaust tips at the rear provide a contrasting finish. The Land Rover oval on the grille is black with darkened silver script. Even underbody elements feature a Gloss or Satin Black finish, including the cover for the exhaust silencer and centre box, and the optional electrically deployable towbar¹. 

A choice of 20‑inch forged wheels or 22‑inch Gloss Black wheels is available, with black centre caps and Shadow Atlas Defender script, while Gloss Black brake calipers feature contrasting Sentient Silver script. 

To complement the dramatically dark exterior, Defender OCTA Black’s interior takes tough luxury to a new level. Ebony Semi‑Aniline Leather with Kvadrat^TM is introduced to Defender for the first time, bringing a soft and tactile finish to the Performance Seats. They feature unique perforation patterns on the seats, with new stitching detail on the backrests, while the seat backs and armrest hinges are finished in Carpathian Grey – bringing bold finishes to every element.

Across the dashboard, the Cross Car Beam is finished in Satin Black Powder Coat, while an optional Chopped Carbon Fibre finish can be chosen for the interior details – the epitome of tough luxury.

Defender OCTA is the extreme performance hero of the unstoppable Defender family, with 635PS 4.4‑litre Twin Turbo mild‑hybrid V8 power, innovative 6D Dynamics suspension and a dedicated OCTA Mode for performance off‑road use. It also features Body and Soul Seats (BASS), which allow those in the front row Performance Seats to feel the music they are listening to, as well as hear it. Developed in partnership with industry leader SUBPAC^TM, and utilising audio signals from the 700W, 15‑speaker, Meridian^TM Surround Sound System, this immersive high fidelity vibro‑acoustic technology incorporates the same AI optimising software used by the world’s top recording artists and composers.

Defender OCTA Black joins the standard Defender OCTA, which is now available in two new colourways – Sargasso Blue and Borasco Grey – in addition to Charente Grey and Petra Copper. A Patagonia White Matte Wrap will be available from late 2025.

Defender is the official automotive partner of Oasis Live ’25, transporting the British band on their long‑awaited 41‑date global tour, which starts in the UK today.

 source: https://media.landrover.com/news/2025/07/defender-octa-black-tough-luxury-4x4-rock-star

by

Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender

Mercedes, BMW, Range Rover, Audi and Porsche - Repair and Consignment Sales Redwood City - Happy Independence Day - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

 

Mercedes - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition Is the Sedan's Farewell Tour - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

 

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the new third-generation 2026 CLA-class, starting this fall with the fully electric CLA EV before adding a new hybrid CLA-class sedan in early 2026. But Mercedes's performance division, AMG, has yet to work its magic on the new CLA, and before it does, it has revealed a send-off for the current CLA45 S in the form of a new Final Edition.

The 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S Final Edition will be available in limited numbers—although the automaker didn't specify just how many—when it reaches dealerships early next year. The Final Edition wears Mountain Grey Magno paint from the brand's Manufaktur personalization program and is further distinguished by a black-and-yellow "45 S" graphic on the front doors. Yellow accents are also found on the sideview mirrors.

The 19-inch wheels are painted matte black with yellow accents surrounding the center caps. The black brake calipers have AMG logos. The Final Edition also has the AMG Night package, bringing gloss-black and black-chrome exterior trim. The AMG Aerodynamics Package Plus is also fitted, bringing a beefier front splitter, small dive planes on the front bumper, a sizable rear wing, and a gloss-black rear diffuser. There is also a special silver chrome fuel cap adorned with AMG lettering.

The yellow touches continue inside, where the Final Edition features black AMG Performance seats upholstered in microsuede and Mercedes's MB-Tex synthetic leather. There is yellow stitching throughout the cabin, and the front headrests sport an embroidered "45 S" logo. There is also a "45 S Final Edition" on the center console, an illuminated AMG badge on the door sills, "45 S" branding on the floor mats, and more yellow accents on the nappa leather and microfiber steering wheel.

The powertrain remains unchanged, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder pumping out 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes claims the CLA45 S can rip from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds en route to a 155-mph top speed. But we bet it's even quicker. When we tested a 2020 CLA45, back when it had only 382 hp, it did the dash in just 3.7 seconds. Shifting duties are handled by an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the CLA45's standard all-wheel-drive system can send all of the power to the rear wheels for tail-happy antics.

While the 2026 CLA45 S Final Edition marks the end of the line for the second-generation sporty sedan, Mercedes is surely cooking up a hotter version of the new third-generation model. Spy photos have captured a new CLA wearing an active rear wing, redesigned bumpers, and camouflage on the front fenders where an AMG badge typically goes. We expect AMG to fiddle with both the hybrid and electric CLA-class sedans, and we shouldn't have to wait too much longer for a full reveal.

 source: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a65266997/2026-mercedes-amg-cla45-s-final-edition-revealed/

by Caleb Miller

Porsche - Repair and Service Redwood City - Porsche announces three new 911 model variants with all-wheel drive and 473 hp - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

 

 

Porsche is expanding the 911 model range with three new variants. The 911 Carrera 4S is available as a coupe and Cabriolet. Together with the Targa 4S, they bridge the gap between the standard 911 Carrera – which is not available with all-wheel drive –and the significantly more powerful GTS models. Like on the rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera S models, additional options for individualization and extended standard equipment are distinguishing features.

All-wheel drive variants are popular among customers buying a 911 “S” variant. In fact, within that specific subset, almost half in the U.S. choose a model powering all four wheels. The three new model variants continue to offer customers a great degree of choice within the 911 product range to meet varied use cases and demands. As with every other model equipped with Porsche Traction Management (PTM), the torque split is rear-biased by default. If required, PTM directs more torque to the front axle. As on its predecessors, the front differential is water cooled and uses an electromechanically controlled clutch.

Porsche announces three new 911 model variants with all-wheel drive and 473 hp

Porsche is expanding the 911 model range with three all-wheel drive models for the 2026 model year: The 911 Carrera 4S coupe and Cabriolet, as well as the Targa 4S. All three models gain more power, improvements in standard equipment and enhanced brakes compared to their predecessors. With their arrival, the range of new 911 models with all-wheel drive grows to six variants.

 

Improved performance

The new all-wheel drive variants of the 911 adopt the upgraded engine of the Carrera S. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder boxer engine produces 473 hp (353 kW) and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. That is 30 hp (22 kW) more than in the predecessor. This increase in performance is partly due to the optimized intercooling, the design of which comes from the 911 Turbo. An eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) transmits power to all four wheels. The 911 Carrera 4S coupe accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds using Launch Control with the optional Sport Chrono Package, and is capable of a top track speed of 191mph. 

Upgraded standard equipment

Porsche has significantly enhanced the standard equipment for the Carrera 4S and Targa 4S models. From a performance perspective, the improvements include Sport Exhaust with tailpipes in silver, brakes taken from the previous generation 911 Carrera GTS models measuring 408 mm on the front axle and 380 mm on the rear axle. Uprated dampers with optimized hydraulics are more responsive and improve ride quality over the preceding model. Performance-focused standard features of the prior model remain, including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and staggered 20/21-inch Carrera S wheels. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are available as an option, as is PASM Sport Suspension, which lowers the ride height by 10 mm. Rear axle steering is optionally available on the Carrera 4S and Carrera 4S Cabriolet. The system offers increased agility at low speeds and greater stability at high speeds. If equipped, this system also includes a quicker steering ratio and revised front axle kinematics. The 911 Targa 4S has rear-axle steering as standard.

Like all current 911 Carrera Coupe models, the Carrera 4S comes as a two-seater with the option to add rear seats for no additional cost, while the Cabriolet and Targa are equipped with rear seats as standard.

The new models feature an upgraded interior. Compared to the preceding Carrera 4S models, the interior comes with extended leather upholstery as standard including the seats, headrests, upper dashboard, upper door panels, and – if equipped – the rear seats. In addition, Matrix Design LED headlights and wireless smartphone charging are standard equipment.

The new 911 Carrera 4S, 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet and 911 Targa 4S are expected to arrive at U.S. Porsche Centers in the fourth quarter of 2025. Pricing will be announced in due course.

60 years of the 911 Targa

For 60 years, the 911 Targa has combined the enjoyment of a convertible with the year-round comfort of a coupe. The 911 Targa debuted in September 1965 at the IAA in Frankfurt and, like so many Porsche innovations, the elegant, wide Targa bar is inspired by motorsport. With a removable roof and folding rear window, the design allowed for the open air sensations of a convertible while providing the benefit of a fixed bar. Porsche derived the name Targa from the famous Targa Florio race in Sicily.

Today, the Porsche 911 Targa is an icon in its own right, further developed technically and formally over six decades. With the 993 generation (1993), there was no need to remove the roof manually. Since 2006, the 911 Targa has been available exclusively with all-wheel drive. The current Targa roof design, which launched in 2014, provides a fully automatic roof mechanism that opens in 19 seconds and references the style of the early Targa models. The glass rear window lifts up and moves backwards to allow the roof panel to fold away the roof segment folds elegantly. The wide bar and the surrounding rear window form a clear reminiscence of the original model. The roof module of the current Targa is available in four color variants: black, blue, red and brown.

source: https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_US/2025/products/911-Carrera-4S-Cabriolet-Targa-2026-39921.html

by Porsche NewsRoom

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