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  • Beginning April 1st, and running through April 30th, there is a new 2024 BMW MOA Election discussion area within The Club section of the forum. Within this forum area is also a sticky post that provides the ground rules for participating in the Election forum area. Also, the candidates statements are provided. Please read before joining the conversation, because the rules are very specific to maintain civility.

    The Election forum is here: Election Forum

Morning Reads: Thursday, 10 January 2008

mika

Still Wondering
TodayÔÇÖs Birthdays / Calendar


birthday%20cards.jpg



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motorcyclenews.com
BMW's uncrashable motorcycle patent drawings


dealernews.com
How do you say success in Italian?


cyrilhuzeblog.com
S&S announces emissions certification lab


Faster and Faster.com
Radical Ducati unveil the RAD 02 Corsa


Italian Rounder?
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fim.ch
2008 FIM Red Bull Motocross of Nations
The event will be held in Donington Park

worldsbk.com[/ur[
Phillip Island Tests ÔÇô Second Day

[url=http://www.visordown.com/motorcyclenews/view/chilean_government_wants_dakar/2287.html]



[url=http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html]BMW Sauber F1

BMW Motorsport


formula1.com
De la Rosa debuts the MP4-23 in Spain


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rediff.com
Tata Motors, Fiat team up to make vehicles


autoweek.com
Tata deal for Jaguar done in first quarter


world.honda.com
Honda Reveals Overview of its Exhibition for the Tokyo Auto Show


windingroad.com
What would you like to know about the ZR1 Corvette?


autobloggreen.com
GMÔÇÖs fuel cell E-flex at CES - video


You have to love what you can do with the internet. Here is a link to Spanish website with an article, text translated by a US website, about a bit of German auto history, with a German language video, hosted on a ? website and posted in another German motorcycle/car manufacturerÔÇÖs ownerÔÇÖs club online forum hosted on a server outside of St. Louis Mo by a member over 600 miles up river in Lilydale.
.
historiasdelmotor.com
C111
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Some days it is just fun to be an aggregator! Others, itÔÇÖs just silly :rofl


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BMW Website Review:

BMW Group

Corporate News: BMW Group increases 2007 sales by 9.2 percentBMW Motorrad also achieved a very positive sales result in 2007. After passing the 100,000 unit mark for the first time in 2006, BMW Motorrad was able to continue its growth in 2007, with 102,467 units sold (prev.yr.: 100,064/+2.4%).


TED: Ideas worth spreading
TED Blog,Conferences, Themes, Talks and Speakers


BMW Yachtsport


BMW Golfsport


BMW Oracle Racing


BMW Sport website



BMW GroupPress Club:

PressClub Canada and PressClub USA


BMW Group increases 2007 sales by 9.2 percent
01/09/2008

Best sales levels for all three brands
Rolls-Royce delivers over 1,000 vehicles for the first time

Munich. The BMW Group continued its successful course last year, reaching its best sales levels for all three automobile brands. Worldwide, 1,500,678 vehicles were delivered to customers (prev.yr.: 1,373,970), which corresponds to a 9.2% growth in sales. For the BMW brand, sales reached 1,276,793 vehicles, outstripping the previous year's level (1,185,088) by 7.7%. MINI also recorded a robust rise - in comparison with the previous year (188,077), the brand increased by 18.5% to 222,875 units sold to customers. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars saw sales in 2007 increase by 25.5%, compared with 2006, with retails of 1010 cars (prev.yr.: 805), taking annual sales into the four-digit range for the first time. This means that sales figures have risen for the fourth time in a row. This result confirms Rolls-Royce as the most desirable brand in the super luxury market.

Stefan Krause, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG for Sales and Marketing: "We have completely reached our sales target for 2007 - growth in the higher single-digit percentage range. Our customers appreciate the fact that, with "BMW EfficientDynamics", we are already offering a low-consumption, reduced-CO2 package of measures as standard." EfficientDynamics, development of which was started five years ago, is used in everything from the BMW 1 Series to the BMW X5. In many MINI models, customers also benefit from this innovative technology. By the end of the year, more than 450,000 BMW automobiles with EfficientDynamics were already driving on Europe's roads. "Overall, the BMW Group is once again the world's leading supplier in the premium automobile segment in terms of volume sales. We are optimistic that we will reach this top position again in 2008", Krause continued.

In 2007, the clear front-runner, not only in the BMW model range but also in comparison with its relevant competitors, was the BMW 3 Series, with its saloon, touring, coup?® and cabrio versions. 37% of the BMW Group's total sales came from this model series, which increased again by 9.2% to reach 555,219 units (prev.yr.: 508,479). The BMW 5 Series, which comes in second place in terms of volume, maintained the high levels of last year (232,193/-0.6%), with 230,845 automobiles sold. Third place is taken by the BMW 1 Series, with 165,803 cars delivered to customers (prev.yr.: 151,918). In particular, the three-door variant, also available since May 2007, helped sales to rise by a further 9.1% compared with 2006. The BMW Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) also continued to sell very successfully in 2007, and the BMW X5 in particular, of which 120,617 units (prev.yr.: 75,321) were sold, increased by a stunning 60.1%. This means that sales of this model, which is way ahead of its relevant competitors in its segment, considerably exceeded expectations. Even in the fourth year after its market launch, the X5's "little brother", the BMW X3, stayed at a high level, with 111,879 units sold (prev.yr.: 114,000/-1.9%). Last year, 44,421 BMW 7 Series vehicles were sold (prev.yr.: 50,227/-11.6%). The BMW Z4, with its Roadster and Coup?® variants, was delivered to 28,383 (prev.yr.: 30,996/-8.4%) customers. And 19,626 (prev.yr.: 21,947/-10.6%) of the luxury BMW 6 Series Cabrio and Coup?® were sold.

Looking at sales by country, the USA continued to be the largest single market for BMW and MINI automobiles in the year 2007. Here, the BMW Group sold 335,840 (prev.yr.: 313,603/+7.1%) vehicles, which is more than ever before. In 2007, BMW was the most popular European premium brand amongst US customers - over 293,795 (prev.yr.: 274,432, +7.1%) Americans chose a BMW. This actually made BMW the most successful European automobile brand in the US market last year.
The US is followed in second place by Germany, with a total of 284,523 new registrations (prev.yr.: 296,930). Here, the high level of the previous year was not maintained, because of the increase in VAT and the uncertainty caused amongst consumers by discussions about CO2. Nonetheless, the BMW Group has done better in Germany, where the decline was 4.2%, than the market as a whole (-9.2%). Clear two-digit percentage increases were recorded by the markets that came in third to sixth places: last year, the United Kingdom recorded 173,685 deliveries (prev.yr.: 153,957/+12.8%), Italy 106,985 (prev.yr.: 96,458/+10.9%), Spain 72,849 (prev.yr.: 63,040/+15.6%) and in France 65,081 (prev.yr.: 52,875/+23.1%) cars were handed over to customers. Very positive developments were also recorded in 2007 in the growth markets of China, with 51,588 units (prev.yr.: 36,357/+41.9%), Russia, with 14,686 (prev.yr.: 9,505/+54.5%) and India, with 1,387 deliveries to customers (prev.yr.: 257/+439.7%).

BMW Motorrad also achieved a very positive sales result in 2007. After passing the 100,000 unit mark for the first time in 2006, BMW Motorrad was able to continue its growth in 2007, with 102,467 units sold (prev.yr.: 100,064/+2.4%).


BMW Group sales in/up to and including December 2007 at a glance
In December 07 comp. w. prev.yr. Up to & incl. December 07 comp.w. prev.yr.
BMW Group Automobile 152,721 +18.2% 1,500,678 + 9.2%
BMW 131,732 +14.5% 1,276,793 + 7.7%
MINI 20,800 +48.6% 222,875 +18.5%
Rolls-Royce 189 +16.0% 1,010 +25.5%
BMW Motorcycles 6,821 - 8.1% 102,467 + 2.4%



PressClub Canada


New BMW M3 Coup?® to make Canadian debut at the Montreal International Auto Show
01/09/2008

Whitby. BMW Group Canada is pleased to announce today that the new BMW M3 Coup?® will make its Canadian debut at the Montreal International Auto Show 2008.
BMW will unveil one of the most anticipated new cars of the year as it raises the performance benchmark once again with the Canadian premiere of the 2008 M3 Coup?® at the Montreal International Auto Show from January 18 through 27. The all-new 4th generation 2008 M3 Coup?® will arrive in the spring of 2008 and will feature a high-revving V-8 engine developing 414-horsepower at 8,300rpm, a first in a series-production BMW M3 and the highest-performing M3 ever offered by BMWÔÇÖs M division.

The BMW M3 Coup?® will feature a unique carbon fiber roof panel that reduces weight by 22 kg versus the optional steel roof panel with moonroof. The M3 Coup?® will feature driver-adjustable settings for crucial dynamic controls including steering, damping and stability (and an available steering-wheel-mounted ÔÇ£MDriveÔÇØ button to store the preferences) and a sports oriented interior that can be optimized to a driverÔÇÖs desires. including the comprehensive entertainment/navigation system operated through BMWÔÇÖs latest iDrive controller.

Lightweight, efficient V8 at the heart of the BMW M3
The move to eight cylinders in the fourth generation BMW M3 provides a powerplant offering the seemingly disparate characteristics of more power, increased efficiency and reduced weight when compared with the previous six-cylinder M3 engine. Displacing 3,999 cubic centimeters (4.0 liters), the new light-alloy engine produces 414 hp at 8,300 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm with 85 percent of the maximum torque available consistently through 6,500 rpm. This power output represents a 17% increase over the six-cylinder from the last generation M3 yet the new engine weighs 7% less and consumes 8% less fuel than its predecessor.

Manual transmission, twin-disc clutch and Variable M Differential Lock
Power from the BMW M3 Coup?®ÔÇÖs V8 is transmitted to the rear wheels through a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox. The performance parameters of the M3 dictated heat management as a key design factor for both the transmission and clutch. The transmission features integrated temperature-dependent oil cooling management, while internal ventilation maximizes heat dissipation for the twin-disc clutch.

The new final drive comes with a Variable M Differential Lock generating up to 100 percent locking action with fully variable action whenever required, ensuring optimum traction on all road surfaces.

Latest-generation of Dynamic Stability Control
The electronic Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) monitors driving conditions and intervenes through the application of brakes and reduced engine power to stabilize the BMW M3 Coup?® and help avoid major over- or under-steer situations.

In addition to engine controls and the ABS, other systems integrated in the DSC are Automatic Stability Control (ASC), which prevents the wheels from spinning on surfaces with reduced traction; the Start-Off Assistant, which prevents the car from rolling back when setting off on a grade, as well as Cornering Brake Control (CBC), which prevents the car from spinning or swerving out of control when applying the brakes in a bend.

The latest version of DSC includes additional functions for even greater driving safety. Whenever the driver is likely to apply the brakes in full within the next few seconds, the system builds up pressure in the hydraulic brake circuit and pre-loads the brake pads to ensure an immediate response. The Dry Braking feature removes water film from the discs in wet conditions, thus reducing the chance of water interfering with the braking process.

Electronic Damper Control recognizing the driverÔÇÖs style of driving
The optional Electronic Damper Control (EDC) allows the driver to tailor the vehicleÔÇÖs chassis dynamics to his or her preference through one of three modes: Sport, Normal and Comfort.

The response of all dynamic driving systems is carefully tailored to the power and performance of the new BMW M3 Coup?®, with electronic intervention of the various systems naturally taking the dynamics of the car into account. Indeed, the driver even has the option to individually configure specific parameters, thus adjusting the response of the car to his personal preferences.

Interior design oriented an active driving experience with luxury
There is no question as to the heritage of the vehicle upon opening the door of the new BMW M3 Coup?® thanks to the M car logo in the door sills. The unique nature of the vehicle carries to the dash where the dual circular instruments typical of BMW ÔÇô the speedometer and fuel gauge as well as the tachometer and oil temperature display ÔÇô are in specific M style. A feature typical of BMW M cars is the variable warning zone on the tachometer that informs the driver of the recommended engine speed depending on the engine oil temperature.

The M3ÔÇÖs leather steering wheel, with its thumb contours resting firmly in the driverÔÇÖs hands, provides an optimum grip for precise movement of the steering wheel. The spokes within the steering wheel incorporate the remote control buttons for the audio system and mobile phone, as well as the optional MDrive button. An additional auxiliary button may be programmed through the optional BMW iDrive system.

The powerful Logic 7 audio system will be standard equipment on the new BMW M3 Coup?®.
For serious audiophile enthusiasts, an all-new BMW Individual Audio System will be available as an option. Featuring 16 speakers with rigid HexaCone?« diaphragms and a 9-channel, 825 watt digital amplifier, the system debuts with sophisticated Dirac LiveÔäó Technology - used exclusively in an automotive application by BMW.

M3 Coup?® pricing will be announced closer to market launch in Spring 2008.
 
Page 2

MINI at the 2008 NAIAS in Detroit
01/09/2008

ÔÇ£Everybody loves the new MINI Cooper and Cooper S!ÔÇØ, which made their Canadian debut at last yearÔÇÖs Montreal International Autoshow. ÔÇ£In their design, their flair and go-kart like handling, the latest generation of the MINI Cooper and Cooper S have been desirable right from the start. And now, another chapter of excitement is being written in the MINI success story with the introduction of the new MINI ClubmanÔÇØ, stated Stephen McDonnell, Director of MINI Canada.
The public will have the opportunity to admire this exciting new addition to the MINI model range at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) being held in Detroit from January 19 through 27, 2008 ÔÇô and soon they will be able to enjoy the sight of this unique car also on the road, with the market launch of the MINI Clubman in Canada starting on February 13th, 2008.

The new MINI Clubman stands out clearly as a genuine MINI from every angle. At the same time its astounding design showcases a unique look and the innovative configuration of the ClubmanÔÇÖs five doors . The unprecedented split-door at the rear is made of up two door panels hinged right at the outside and opening up sideways to a wide angle. On the right-hand side of the car the Clubdoor hinged at the back, in turn, facilitates access to the rear seats, where the MINI Clubman offers surprisingly generous legroom. The Clubman reinterprets the ÔÇ£shooting brakeÔÇØ concept in unmistakable proportions!

Wheelbase up by 8 centimetres or 0.31" over the ÔÇ£regularÔÇØ MINI benefits
the rear-seat passengers in full. In all, the MINI Clubman is 24 centimetres or 9.4" longer than the MINI Hatchback. The split-door opens up to provide access to extremely generous luggage space, offering 260 litres or 9.1 cu ft behind the rear seats. A further advantage is that the rear-seat backrest may be tilted down either in part or in full, enlarging luggage capacity by up to 930 litres or 32.6 cu ft in the process.

The MINI Clubman offers unique benefits while at the same time retaining all of the qualities so typical of the MINI brand. In particular, the Clubman retains the same class leading handling, , suspension technology and powerful, efficient and high-torque power units currently offered on the Cooper and Cooper S hatch.

The new MINI Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman, combined with the existing MINI Cooper and Cooper S, offer a level of performance and handling unlike anything else in the small, premium car segment, at the same time returning an impressive level of fuel economy and ultra low emissions.
More performance on less fuel: MINI in the 2008 model year.
Dynamic on the road, modest at the fuel pump ÔÇô this characterises the
MINI Cooper and Cooper S hatch and the MINI Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman for the 2008 model year. The MINI Cooper S, with172 hp and equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, achieves 0ÔÇô100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and average fuel consumption of 5.8 litres/100 kilometres (highway).
The MINI Cooper, with118 hp and equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, is capable of 0ÔÇô100 km/h in 9.1 seconds and, in turn, returns a remarkable 5.3 litres/100 kilometres (highway). In addition, when equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, the MINI Cooper qualifies for a $1,000 rebate under the Federal EcoAuto Rebate Program.

The corresponding versions of the MINI Clubman feature almost identical performance and fuel economy to their hatch relatives: the MINI Cooper S Clubman, with175 hp and 6-speed manual transmission sprints from 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and uses only 5.7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (highway). The 6-speed manual transmission118 hp MINI Cooper Clubman accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, sipping the same thrifty 5.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (highway) as its hatchback cousin, also qualifying for a $1,000 rebate under the Federal EcoAuto Rebate Program.

All versions of the MINI Cooper and Cooper S and MINI Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman come equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. An optional feature available on all engine variants is six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic, allowing the driver to select gears manually for sportier driving. The Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman retain the familiar go-kart feeling so typical of MINI.

Superior steering response and performance in fast bends is guaranteed by with the standard EPAS Electrical Power Assisted Steering. And since EPAS calls up electric power for the steering only when required, the systems superior technology is an additional component of the greater efficiency offered by the MINI Cooper and Cooper S and the new MINI Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman.

Safety premium-style: five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test and top rating in the U.S. IIHS offset frontal crash tests

MINI is clearly also premium when it comes to safety. Achieving the best result of five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test, the all-inclusive concept of occupant safety in the new MINI clearly works in practice. This highest score in crash safety results from the specific construction and layout of the MINI: The robust body structure has clearly defined load paths and deformation zones. Also, with the standard inclusion of six airbags, three-point seat belts on all four seats and ISOFIX child seat fastenings at the rear as well as central safety electronics for on-demand control and management of the restraint systems, itÔÇÖs clear that the BMW Group gives a significant priority to occupant safety in the development of new models.
The five-star score in the Euro NCAP crash test was achieved by the
MINI Cooper, but the positive judgment passed by testers in the NCAP
New Car Assessment Programme also applies to the other models within
the series, notably the MINI Cooper S, which features identical technology and equipment in terms of passive safety. Naturally, the MINI Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman also come standard with six airbags, three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats, belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters at the front, belt warning units and ISOFIX child seat fastenings at the rear. Maximum occupant safety in the event of a collision is an obligatory, built-in priority of all models in the MINI family.

Complementing the outstanding Euro NCAP results, the MINI Cooper also received the top rating of ÔÇ£GoodÔÇØ in the evaluation of offset frontal crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), further emphasizing the inherent safety designed into the MINI platform.

The North American launch of the MINI Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman at the 2008 Detroit Autoshow sets the starting point for another new chapter in the MINI success story.

The all-new MINI Clubman will premier in Canada at the Montreal International Auto Show from January 18 through 27.


Rolls-Royse Motor Car PressClub


ROLLS-ROYCE CELEBRATES RECORD RESULT
09.01.2008

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars saw sales in 2007 increase by 25 per cent, compared to 2006, with retails of 1010 cars. This is the first time that annual sales have reached four figures and the fourth successive sales increase since the company was launched in 2003.
There was strong demand for all Phantom models, with the four door versions (Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase) remaining the best sellers and accounting for 75 per cent of the total. However, it was the exceptional demand for the new Phantom Drophead Coup?®, launched in the summer, which drove the volume increase. Production capacity at Goodwood was maximized by working extended shifts.

ÔÇ£Everybody at Rolls-Royce is delighted with this tremendous result which marks our fifth anniversary in the best possible way,ÔÇØ said Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive. ÔÇ£It confirms Rolls-Royce as the most desirable brand in the super luxury market and is a credit to the passion and dedication of our teams at Goodwood and around the world. The customer reaction to the Drophead Coup?® has been astonishing, exceeding all our expectations.ÔÇØ

North America remained the biggest single market for Rolls-Royce in 2007, accounting for 40 per cent of sales and showing growth of 22 per cent. Exceptional performances were seen in the United Arab Emirates and in China which grew by around 70 and 50 per cent respectively.

The Rolls-Royce dealer network expanded to 80 in 2007, with new showrooms including St Petersburg, Kiev and Dresden. The top selling dealers worldwide in 2007 were, respectively, Beverly Hills, London, Abu Dhabi, Tokyo and Dubai. Abu Dhabi saw the highest annual increase, with sales more than doubling.

Looking ahead in 2008, Rolls-Royce has announced its intention to launch a two-door coup?® model, based on the Phantom, in the summer. Further into the future a new Rolls-Royce model series, to sit alongside the Phantom models, will be launched in 2010, currently named RR4.





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The Rider: Skills, gear, accessories and more


londonbikers.com
Suomy launches new extreme boot


Stuff: Everything in place and a place for everything (including stuff)


I came across and article in a journalism feed that I have recently begun to follow. It discussed a new ÔÇÿfact checkerÔÇÖ being published by the Washington Post and listed some others. Here are the articles links, offered without comment or endorsement, for your use.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/
http://www.factcheck.org/
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/



M.R. Traveler


strangemaps.wordpress.com
Praise the Lord and pass the dictionary!


hat2.gif


2008 International Rally
Gillette, Wyoming, July 17-20 2008


Mining The Website

Threads worth following:

Photo Assignment:
Here is a link to the PHOTO ASSIGNMENT INDEX, with links to the various excellent Photo Assignment threads

Latest project: ÔÇ£Old CroÔÇØ the R-evolution

Diary of a Barn Queen

Dakar 2008


Blogs:

Battlefield Biker Blogs

BluepoofBikers Motorcycle Adventures

Crusty the Biker

excessivelocity

Guilty Truth

Knucklebuster

KÔÇÖtelontour of the World

motorcyclemeditation.com

NelsonÔÇÖs BMW airhead motorcycles

Ride it like you stole it!

The Bike Chronicles of India


TodayÔÇÖsRoadFood.com


Woot

Todays Woot
The Blog


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Packer News: Packers.com, jsonline.com - Packers Plus Online


Humor

Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City
Sluggy Freelance
The Onion
xkcd


Bike Candy:

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THE END
 
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