The 8-series is expected to be available in 2020; will rival the Mercedes S-class coupé and Bentley Continental GT.

BMW will revive its 8-series badge with a new flagship model that is expected in 2020. The original car, built between 1989 and 1999, went on to become one of the modern classics on automotive design. The resurrected model will rival its long-time adversary, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupé, and the Bentley Continental GT.

The car will make use of mechanicals, and tech from the sixth-generation 7-series that was recently launched in India at the 2016 Auto Expo. According to sources, the model will be built at BMW’s Dingolfing factory in Germany.

Insiders at BMW’s R&D centre in Munich suggest that two differing layouts are being considered – a four-door layout, said to be similar in concept to the BMW 6- series Gran Coupe, albeit bigger, and more luxurious, and alternate body styles which may include a two-door coupé, and a cabriolet.
 
Harald Krueger, chairman, BMW, is personally driving plans to extend the line-up to include additional luxury models. He is eager to push the BMW flagship higher given the continued success and profitability of the Mercedes-Benz S-class and its various derivatives in key markets such as the USA and China.

“With the decision to bring back the 8-series, Krueger is looking at a potentially lucrative revenue stream with high profitability on a per unit basis,” a BMW senior manager revealed to our sister publication, Autocar UK.

BMW is expected to officially showcase the 8-series concept in 2018.

Courtesy :  Autocar

Partners to launch RapidE in 2018; range of next-gen e-vehicles to follow before 2020-end.

Aston Martin has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with technology company LeEco to develop a production version of the Aston Martin RapidE electric vehicle concept. Both the companies have previously worked together, in particular on the new Rapide S model, incorporating the Letv (former name of LeEco) Internet of the Vehicle (IOV) system.

Originally revealed in October last year, the RapidE concept was developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering. At the time, Aston Martin had revealed plans to partner with ChinaEquity on taking the model to production.

Since the creation of this concept, Aston Martin and Letv have been advancing the work on production feasibility, including the identification of technology solutions for battery systems and powertrains.

LeEco founder Jia Yueting also owns Faraday Future, which showcased its own concept car, the FFZero1, at last month's Consumer Electronics Show  in Las Vegas. The partnership indicates the potential to add a range of next-generation connected electric vehicles on behalf of Aston Martin, LeEco and Faraday Future.

Additionally, Aston Martin and LeEco have announced plans to develop a range of new vehicles before the end of the decade. Both the companies are currently focused on utilising the best technologies from the companies’ portfolios and bringing the RapidE to market in 2018.

Courtesy : Autocar

Bluetooth-enabled digital virtual key can be downloaded into a smartphone app that will be available on iOS, Android and Windows devices.

Volvo has confirmed that it plans to replace the traditional car key by introducing virtual-key technology, which uses mobile phone technology, to its car range in 2017. According to Volvo, the move will offer more flexibility to its customers.

The Bluetooth-enabled digital virtual key can be downloaded into a smartphone app that will be available on iOS, Android and Windows devices. The app replicates typical key functions such as locking, unlocking and boot release, while also enabling drivers to start the car’s engine remotely.

Additionally, multiple virtual keys can be stored on a single device, allowing easier access to a number of Volvo cars. In order to protect the car from potential hackers, Volvo will use its current security systems in which both, the car and the key, hold part of an encrypted key combination. However, if the car's battery goes flat and cannot recognise the key, drivers must call for roadside assistance.

The new technology could also be used for car rental and car-sharing schemes, where a key can be downloaded with your rental agreement. Physical keys will still be offered to the customers who want them. Trials of the new virtual-key technology will be carried out later this year with car-sharing firm Sunfleet, which is based in Sweden.

Courtesy : Autocar

The proceeds from the sale of the DB10 will go to 'Doctors without Borders'.

The Aston Martin DB10 driven by Daniel Craig in the James Bond film Spectre was sold at an auction for £2,434,500 (Rs 23.96 crore). The DB10, one of two remaining out of the 10 examples made exclusively for use during the filming, was donated by Aston Martin for the charity auction at Christie's in London. It is the only one of the remaining cars that will ever be put on sale by the Gaydon-based car company.

An anonymous buyer paid £2,100,000 (Rs 20.67 crore) for the car, well above the £1.5 million estimate that had been placed on it ahead of the auction. With buyer's fees taken into account, the final sum came up to £2,434,500, although this fee will also go to charity once the auction house's costs have been taken into account. Proceeds from the sale will go to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). MSF, or ‘Doctors without Borders’, is a global humanitarian-aid organisation that provides medical care and support to victims of armed conflict, epidemics and other disasters.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said: “The DB10 is one of the rarest cars ever created. Only 10 will ever be made and this is the only one that will be made available for sale. It’s great to see this DB10 raising vital funds for Médecins Sans Frontières. It is a fantastic charity that we are delighted to support”. The DB10 was the star lot out of 10 Bond-related items being auctioned for charity.

The second-most expensive item was the Day of the Dead costume worn by Craig in the movie. It went for £98,500 (Rs 96.95 lakh). In total, the 10 lots raised £2,785,500 (Rs 27.41 crore) for MSF and other charitable causes. 

Courtesy : Autocar

New Maserati dealership in Mumbai is located in the Taj Santacruz hotel; is the third dealership in India.

Maserati opened its third dealership in India, in Mumbai. The Mumbai showroom, the first one for the western India region, has been opened in partnership with Group Planet Petal. It is located in the new TajSantacruz hotel.

The showroom will showcase all of Maserati’s India offerings – the Quattroporte, the Ghibli, the GranTurismo and the GranCabrio. The showroom will be supported by a workshop located in Marol, Andheri, which Maserati claims “houses 6 work bays, a parts warehouse and is equipped with all high-tech tools and equipment required for servicing the entire Maserati range of cars.”

Group Planet Petal also owns Nissan, Hyundai, Yamaha, Suzuki (two-wheelers) and Ashok Leyland (light commercial vehicles) dealerships, and operates exclusively in western India. 

Courtesy : Autocar