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.

10 Coolest Car Trim Badges

So what do we mean by “coolest” trim badges? Well, we figure there are two criteria for a badge being cool – either it looks really cool aesthetically, or it sends a message to the unwitting fool behind you that you’re capable of smoking him off the line quicker than Cheech and Chong can get through an ounce of Thai Stick. Click through to see what we consider the 10 worthiest badges of all time to be. And if you manage to stick all of these badges together on some poor car (only if you have permission!), send us a picture and I’ll make my boss send you a prize.

Praying At The Alter Of Horsepowerfreaks’ M3 Turbo Kit

We would normally be pretty reluctant to highlight a company that so audaciously self-proclaims themselves the “freaks” of anything. Unless it is getting your “freak on.” We tend to cover that subject pretty extensively. Nevertheless, sometimes a product comes along that makes even the most skeptical among us bow our heads in solemn recognition of its greatness. Such is the very reliable, very potent, E46 M3 turbo kit from Horsepowerfreaks

BMW concopt X6

We hear: GSD&M has picked up the Ace Hardware account, and will be announcing the win tomorrow. A call to the agency was not returned but the time this story was published.
The win would not be huge for GSD&M, but a victory just the same. In December of last year, the shop was in the running for the Home Depot account, which it did not win. That business went to Dallas based Richards Group.
The agency is also waiting to hear if BMW has selected them for media responsibilities. We hear it's between GSD&M and McCann. However, news broke today that Canadian firm Media Experts won the national account (in Canada). It was my impression that GSD&M and McCann were vying for the global media account, but that may have been incorrect.

2006 BMW 130i Auto Show Photo

It's a shame BMW decided against offering the 1 Series in the United States. A compact, affordable BMW has even greater appeal today, as young drivers openly aspire to drive luxury-branded vehicles. With gas prices finally outpacing drinking water, compacts may have growing appeal, especially if they boast more than 260 horsepower, like the new 130i. Sized much like a Mazda3 five-door, the range-topping 130i boasts a 3.0L inline six with 232 lb-ft of torque, capable of delivering a 6.2-second 0-60-mph time. An available M Sports Package can make this hot hatch even better, with a sport-tuned suspension and M aero package, boasting distinct front and rear fascias, and body-colored side sills. The interior is dressed with leather and all the obligatory M cues, from door sills to stitching. If the Audi A3 is the success it deserves to be Stateside, rest assured that BMW will take notice.

Chopper by Derby City Customs Runs and Sounds Like a Race Car

Derby City Customs is in the business of making one-of-a-kind motorcycles. Louisville, Kentucky brothers Jason and Jeremy Cantwell make unique bikes with one common thread, all of them have K&N Engineering air filters.

Triumph Rocket 3 Custom – MGS Custom Bikes

The Metric TV custom build off has resulted in a lot of bikes which still seem to be waiting for their television debut. We mentioned the show some time back where a group of builders were each given a metric bike, cruiser or sportbike depending on their specialty, and given 180 days to produce something unique. They’ve come up with a few interesting customs and I thought I would show this one just to continue the Triumph powered custom theme from the other day when we featured the Triumph triple powered Ferrari Chopper.
This custom by MGS Custom Bikes began as a Triumph Rocket 3. What’s interesting is the builders don’t know beforehand what they’ll be working on and when MGS got a Rocket 3 they were a bit surprised. After the shock wore off they got to work and the result you see here utilizes more stock pieces than you might notice beyond the engine, things like gauges, gas cap and headlights and a few other pieces, but obviously the stock bike is now a mere memory. They haven’t produced a corner carver of any sort but the workmanship looks first rate. Somehow, I don’t expect to see a lot more Rocket 3 based customs but you never know.
Link: MGS Custom Bikes

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NYC hummer limousine rental service | NYC hummer limousine rental service

Although we are quite familiar with limousines but when ever by chance one of the glittering machines pass by we have a feeling we should be riding in one these partly because we want to enjoy the luxuries and partly to let people guess who we are. Stretch limousines are of many types ranging from cedillas, Lincoln, jaguar, Porsche, buses but the most popular of them for young people and middle aged folk’ looking for sheer fun is the hummer limousine which can be found at many NYC hummer limousine rental services.

2008 Escalade Limousine 20 passenger

Chrysler 300C Limousine in Denver 2008Number of Passengers: 20Coming in November this 12 Passenger Chrysler 300 Stretch limousine in Denver Colorado. 3 flat screen TV's, Neon and Fiber Optic lighting, Laser Lights, Strobe Lights, DVD Player, Fog Machine, and much much more!!!

(Hummer H6 Player Edition is a $103,000 "Super SUV," six-wheeled with a horse power of 325hp and torque of 365 lbs-ft)

Sector Aviation Instrument Compass Chronograph

The watch I'm wearing today is probably one of my most unique watches and definitely one of my biggest. Including the crowns it's over 2 inches across (over 56mm) but less than 12mm thick. From lug-to-lug it's 55mm and you can see in the wrist picture it's about as tall as my wrist is wide. I'd be lying if I said the ridiculous size wasn't one of the reasons I bought this watch, but it wasn't the only reason. First off, I have seen oversized "novelty" watches before from various manufacturers, typically "fashion watch" makers, like Nautica. Frankly, I don't like to throw away my money on junk (I throw away money on good stuff!) so when I saw that Sector made this watch, I was much more interested. They are a legitimate watch manufacturer, although not incredibly well known in this country. I've been very happy with my other Sector, and when I realized I could get this one on eBay for hundreds less than other similar watches and about half of retail, well, I almost didn't have a choice. It also comes with a similarly oversized box-o'-goodies that includes a spring bar tool, a wide velcro strap and a Sector-branded pouch containing an aluminum single-AAA flashlight and Sector-branded Leatherman-like multi-tool. But let's get to the design: It really shares very little with any other watches. Sure, you could compare the strap buckle to a Panerai buckle, or the case deign to the Bell & Ross Instrument Series watches, but the Sector is different enough to be judged on its own. It's definitely made to look like an aircraft instrument, and it would be just at home on the dashboard of an airplane as on your wrist. It has some nice little touches on the various dials that remind you of this, like the diagonal stripes next to the date and the red checked second hand. The plain black strap is quite an uninspired design with a lining more interesting than the visible side of the strap, but the buckle's not bad. It does have some features that you could call "practical", like the independent movement on the left, set by the adjacent crown, which I have set for west coast time. Or the compass on the lower left (which might be too small to be of much use.) Or, actually, the chronograph function, which works very well, is smooth and resets perfectly every time. I've really never had a complaint about a Japanese chronograph movement and this watch is no exception. So, in the end, this is an enormous, entertaining, unique conversation piece which you really shouldn't wear if you don't want attention. I'm sure opinions will vary between "hideous" and "cool" with more than a few people thinking it's equal parts of each, or feeling one way initially then the other later on. I think it's a fun watch, I look forward to trying some different straps on it and seeing what kind of reaction it gets out in the real world.

Equalizer BPM watch from Tokyoflash

Tokyoflash, purveyor of quirky and unique watches, has just released their latest creation - the Equalizer BPM watch. If you're one who is used to decoding the time on Tokyoflash watches, the Equalizer BPM will probably stun your for a moment as you lay your eyes on it since it shows you the time as it is. Yes sir, there is no need to pick up a degree in rocket science to tell the time. A unique feature is the LED flashlight that helps you determine the number of beats per minute by simply tapping the D button in sync with your favorite track. This probably won't come in too useful for 99% of the population, but then again a watch rarely is these days. The Equalizer BPM watch retails for approximately $65 after conversion