EPCA Berlin 2009 Opening Party at Mercedes World

With perfect timing, EPCA has announced today that the 2009 conference will showcase the abiding links between the chemical business and the automotive industry.
"EPCA EXHIBITON AT MERCEDES WORLD - BERLIN - 4 TO 7 OCTOBER 2008EPCA will organize the opening event of its 2009 Annual Meeting at Mercedes World in Berlin on Sunday 4 October. Together with Cefic, EPCA will organize an exhibition at the same venue in Berlin from 4 to 7 October 2009. The purpose of this exhibition is to show the positive interaction between the chemical and the car industries versus sustainability. More news on this exciting initiative will follow in the March 2009 newsletter."
The general theme for the 2009 business session, which will again combine the EPCA Annual and Logistics Meetings, will be "sustainability".
Since publication, EPCA has let us know that the exhibition is not a confirmed part of the programme yet.

Mercedes Touts Its Role in 'Sex and the City' Movie - 20 March 2008

NEW YORK - Mercedes-Benz USA will likely spend a "few million dollars" advertising its product integration in New Line Cinema's upcoming big-screen version of the hit HBO series "Sex and the City," VP-Marketing Steve Canon told Advertising Age during the New York International Auto Show.

The movie's director, Michael Patrick King, will helm the Mercedes-Benz co-branded effort breaking on national U.S. TV, Mr. Canon said. The automaker's national creative agency of record, Merkley & Partners, New York, will work closely with New Line Cinema, one of the producers and the film's U.S. distributor, to develop the ads, he said.

The automaker is also studying whether to stage private screenings for owners and prospects or special ticket offers

Renderings: 2012 BMW M6

The next generation BMW M6 is not due to be released until around 2012, but this doesn’t stop us speculating on how the next M6 might look like. One of our dear and talented readers, Giom, has created some 3D preview images of what the BMW M6’s design could turn out. The renderings show us a sexy and sleek design, with the rendered M6 sporting some 21″ wheels and rear headlights similar to the BMW CS Concept.
From the tiny bitty piece of information that came to to us a few months ago from BMW, we learned that the next generation M6, codenamed F12, might be sold in two different models: a regular M6 and a CSL M6. There will be also a debate on whether the next M6 should have a glass roof or the Carbon Fiber roof.
Of course, we’re still a little too early to know exactly what BMW has planned for us, so in the mean time, let’s focus on Giom’s renderings and hear your opinion on them.
Personally, I think the 3D images are great, I’m in love with the rear design, but I would love to see how the imaginary front end might look like. Oh, there is one thing I’m not sure if I dig: the bulge on the hood.
So, what do you think? Yay or Nay?

BMW Rahal Letterman Racing M3 Team Debuts At ALMS Sebring Winter Test

Nearly one year after BMW announced their return to the American Le Mans Series competition at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2008, the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team M3 made their officially debut on January 26, 2009 at the Sebring International Raceway. Running the BMW M3 GT2 ALMS racer through the requisite testing during the opening day of the American Le Mans Series Winter Test, team co-owner Bobby Rahal remarked, “The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team has worked extremely hard to get the new BMW M3 ready for the ALMS Winter Test and we expect to get a lot accomplished over the three days of testing. We are excited not only to get the cars and drivers on track together, but also to give the BMW fans their much-anticipated first look at the M3 race car.”

BMW Asks Employees to Buy Their Cars

In a move two steps away from groveling, BMW placed 7,000 fliers on cars in employee parking lots asking those who don’t already own a BMW to please consider purchasing one. If that doesn’t work BMW is going to try 84,000 roses (a dozen for each windshield) and will likely consider standing outside employee houses in the rain holding up a boom-box blaring “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel, or something by Falco.

2010 BMW 7-Series “M-sport”: Weak Sauce

Everyone who knows anything about those fine Bavarian sportscars with the roundel on the hood knows that if your car sports an M-badge, it’s usually backed up by a seriously good motor and a lot of tweaking. That is, unless you’re either a poser who shaved your 318i and slapped a M3 logo on, or this distressing styling package from our Bayerische friends. Take a regular 7-Series, add “unique styling accessories” like new front and rear bumpers, more chrome, and … wait for it … M-Design wheels, and you get this.

Next BMW M5 to Pack Twin Turbos for 600

BMW’s looking to take on the newest Audi RS6 by producing a boosted version of the M5’s V10 motor, which sources say should make more than 600 HP. The new engine is said to be a development of the twin-turbo 4.4L V8 from the X6M, which makes 564 HP already. With two extra cylinders and the M division’s careful caressing, the newest M5 should be more than a match for the RS6’s bi-turbo V10, which makes 580 HP currently.