Morning Reads: 20 December 2007

[mika]

Today’s Birthdays / Calendar

BMW in the News

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

BMW AG: Share price performance

Page 2:
BMW Press: News and press releases from the official BMW sources


News:

motorcycle-usa.com
2008 BMW HP2 Sport – First Ride

motorcyclenews.com
MCN readers give supercharged Ariel the thumbs up


besthonda.com
AMA Superbike Preview

cyrilhuzeblog.com
Harley-Davidson approves buy back of up to 20 million shares

Faster and Faster
Honda RVF750R RC45: The most desirable Honda ever built?

<script src="http://flash.revver.com/player/1.0/player.js?mediaId:576725;width:480;height:392" type="text/javascript"></script>

visordown.com
KTM Venom – the naked RC8

webbikeworld.com
Motogiro America 2008

2wf.com
Bimota DB7 – Specifications and pictures

world.honda.com
Honda forecasts 2007 sales

thekneeslider.com
ASI Customs Street Bob for sale

thekneeslider.com
Veloce3 – CBR1000RR Powered 3 Wheeler

Cage World

2008 BMW 1 Series Coupe ‘Behind the Wheel’ Advertisment
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autobloggreen.com
Will the Volt become a Vega?

jalopnik.com
EU outlines new environmental restrictions, disappoints Ze Germans and Ze Greens

F1
formula1.com
A Formula One season in numbers, by BMW Sauber

Packer News

jsonline.com
Packers Plus Online


The News-Record – Gillette Wyoming


Blog Update

Foreign Language Blogs

Blogs:

Canyonchasers News
Knucklebuster
K’telontour of the World
Meanderings on Two Wheels
Nelson’s BMW airhead motorcycles
Ride it like you stole it!


Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City


Parts:

motorcycledaily.com
MD Product Evaluation: Pirelli Diablo Rosso

Riding Skills:

thebikerweb.com
Beware of target fixation

From Citybiker.wordpress.com and YouTube
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Photography / Video:

dPS.com
16 Digital photo ideas for Christmas

Links to the Photo Assignment threads:

12/15/2007: Holiday Warmth and Motorcycling

12/01/2007: Element

11/24/2007: Gratitude – Thanksgiving Special

11/17/2007: Triangle

11/10/2007: Harmony

11/03/2007: Pure & Simple

10/27/2007: Open Wide

10/19/2007: Shadow of a Doubt

10/13/2007: Group Dynamic

10/06/2007: Blue

09/29/2007: Evolution

09/22/2007: Balance

09/15/2007: Where I Want to Be

09/08/2007: A Long Way to Go


Technology:

manufacturing.net
Protecting your company’s reputation in cyberspace


Today’s RoadFood.com


Woot

Todays Woot

The Blog


xkcd A webcomic of Romance, Sarcasm, Math and Language

Sluggy Freelance


Bike Candy:

Husqvarna wishes to all of you a peaceful Christmas and a full gas New Year!

THE END

 

[mika]

Page 2

BMW Press: News and press releases from the official BMW sources

BMW Motorrad South Africa

2008 BMW Calendar is a Stunner

World of BMW News

Visions for the future
[Another calendar story]

Husqvarna

Enduro Indoor Cup

Delepine and Thomas Chareyre at Bologna Motor Show

Awesome debut for Martin on Husqvarna in the SX Tour 2007

BMW GroupPress Club:

PressClub Canada

BMW Group Canada Announces Canadian Premieres for Montreal International Auto Show.
12/19/2007

Whitby ÔÇô BMW Group Canada will premiere the MINI Clubman, BMW 1 Series Coup?®, BMW X6 Sports Activity Coup?® and BMW M3 Coup?® at the Montreal International Auto Show (MIAS) Press Day on January 17th, 2008 at Palais des congres de Montreal.
The 2008 MINI Clubman is a completely unique five-door model that will be added to the MINI line-up in February 2008. Based on a ÔÇ£shooting brakeÔÇØ concept, the Clubman features a lengthened body and roofline, two rear-opening splitdoors and a Clubdoor on the right side. Inheriting the latest-generation drivetrain, suspension and brake systems from the MINI Cooper and Cooper S hatchbacks, the MINI Cooper Clubman and MINI Cooper S Clubman naturally boast all of the driving and performance virtues that MINI is famous for.

In spring 2008, BMW Group Canada will introduce the BMW 1 Series Coup?®, part of a brand new series entering North America. The first variants, the new BMW 128i and 135i Coup?®s will enter the Premium Compact segment with strikingly sleek, dynamic and compact dimensions combined with typical BMW class-leading performance, agility, safety and comfort. The BMW 128i Coup?® is powered by BMWÔÇÖs latest generation 3.0-litre inline 6-cyinder Valvetronic engine generating 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. The BMW 135i Coup?® is equipped with BMWÔÇÖs remarkable twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with high-precision injection, twin low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air intercooler. This remarkable engine produces 300 horsepower and an incredible 300 lb-ft of torque, providing the BMW 135i Coup?® with breathtaking performance and fuel efficiency.

The worldÔÇÖs first Sports Activity Coup?®, the BMW X6, will premiere at the Montreal International Auto Show. The BMW X6 is an all new model that offers a unique interpretation of a large BMW Coup?® with the sportiness and dynamics of a BMW X Model. The X6 has a powerful presence and sleek coup?® proportions. The BMW X6 comes standard with a new generation of BMWÔÇÖs intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive technology featuring Dynamic Performance Control. The new Sports Activity Coup?® has two engine variants: BMW X6 xDrive50i and BMW X6 xDrive35i. The BMW X6 xDrive50i, has the top-of-the-range power unit that is a newly developed V8 gasoline engine with Twin Turbo technology and direct gasoline injection (high precision injection). The V8 is the most efficient engine in its class, with a capacity of 4,395 cc, max output of 400 hp and max torque 442 lb-ft. The BMW X6 xDrive35i is powered by a 3.0 litre straight-six gasoline engine with twin turbo and direct injection (high precision injection) with 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The BMW X6 will be available in Canada in the second quarter of 2008.

The new, fourth generation BMW M3 Coup?® is a unique high-performance car from BMW M with stand-alone design and technology, developed based on the BMW 3 Series Coup?®. The new M3 is the first production M3 vehicle with an eight-cylinder power unit. The brand-new V8 displaces 4.0 litres and develops a maximum output of 414 hp at 8,300 rpm, maximum torque 295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm, maximum engine speed 8,400 rpm and offers optimum torque and thrust throughout the entire speed range. The BMW M3ÔÇÖs V8 engine features individual throttle butterflies, double-VANOS variable camshaft control and the engine is 15 kg/33 lb lighter than the six-cylinder of the former model. The M3 accelerates from 0ÔÇô100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The BMW M3 is the first production car in its segment with a carbon-fibre roof which enhances its agility by lowering the carÔÇÖs centre of gravity. The M3 Coup?® will enter the Canadian market in the first quarter of 2008.

The Montreal International Auto Show takes place from Friday, January 18 to Sunday, January 27, 2008 at Palais des congres de Montreal. For more photos or further product information, please visit www.press.bmw.com. Our broadcast quality video footage for broadcast media, as well as selected MP3 audio files, can be downloaded via The NewsMarket at www.thenewsmarket.com.


PressClub USA

BMW GROUP DESIGNWORKSUSA CELEBRATES 35-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
12/19/2007

Los Angeles, CA - December 19, 2007... BMW Group DesignworksUSA, a global design consultancy and subsidiary of BMW Group, today announced its 35-Year anniversary and the results of BMW Group DesignworksUSA 35-Year Anniversary Innovations Survey.

"We are continuously looking at the future of the past as well as the future of the future," said Verena Kloos, BMW Group DesignworksUSA President. "To commemorate our shared history and prepare for the future, we wanted to look at the evolution of design over the past three and a half decades. Our survey asked our team to share their perspective on the most notable and provocative design trends to offer insight in what trends have influenced design over this time period and where design may be headed to the future."

With its unique history, BMW Group DesignworksUSA has always had a foothold in transportation, automotive design and product design. The truest historical innovation is its culture, which has always transferred collective knowledge and inspiration across all aspects of industrial design.

"From the experience of one individual to the reference for many is always a challenge," says Chris Bangle, Director of BMW Group Design. "Making use of what we learn is in itself a methodology. It is important for inspirations to loosen up the "creative clockwork" in your mind. If you stay too long just sitting in a car design studio, you'll start believing that's all that the world looks like."

The survey, which includes perspectives from 150 BMW Group DesignworksUSA experts from a variety of design disciplines, highlights important automotive and industrial design innovations and revolutionary trends from the last three and a half decades.

Survey Findings:
The BMW Group DesignworksUSA 35-Year Anniversary Innovations survey results reflected the inspirational aspect of design and uncovered several compelling findings, including:

* Perception: "Form follows function" is the most critical design principle of the last 35 years. [46 percent of respondents]

* Product: BMW Group DesignworksUSA employees surveyed believe cabin interior to be the most pivotal in aviation design. [65 percent of respondents] "Proportions are the most pivotal part of automotive design." [31 percent of respondents]

* Places: "Europe is the most creative and ground-breaking region for industrial and automotive design." [71 percent respondents]

* Process: "The Post-it note as the most influential design of the last 35 years on their work." [33 percent of respondents]

* Premise: "The 21st century as the most creative and ground-breaking era." [42 percent of respondents]

About The 35 Year Anniversary Innovations Survey
The survey includes perspectives from 150 BMW Group DesignworksUSA experts from all design disciplines including design strategy, design research, branding and communications, automotive design, product design, and transportation design, engineering, modeling, color and materials, and more. Additionally, the responses were captured from all areas of the globe with more than 25 different nationalities included. This survey was conducted online by Ketchum Research Group, a third-party research group, on behalf of BMW Group DesignworksUSA.

History of BMW Group DesignworksUSA:
Founded in 1972 by internationally renowned designer Charles W. Pelly, Designworks opened in Malibu with only three designers and grew out of Southern California's trail-blazing design trends that took root in a vibrant car culture. BMW Group DesignworksUSA's reputation as change agent flourished in the 1990s, when the design consultancy began working with BMW Group, Nokia, Compaq, Siemens and Adidas. The design consultancy was acquired by the BMW Group in 1995.

In addition to the headquarters in Southern California, BMW Group DesignworksUSA offers global design with a Munich and Singapore design studio. Tapping into the European design culture, the studio in Munich bridges diverse perspectives and advanced topics to create design impulses in a close link with the BMW Group home base. The studio in Singapore captures and translates the vibrant cultures and emerging trends of the Asian region in its design work for both regional and international clients.

"The advantage of globalization is the fact that people can learn from each other," according to Kloos. "If we succeed in expressing this spirit in our design, we will create surprising and globally attractive products in our extensive range from lifestyle to lifesaving."

Verena C. Kloos overseas BMW Group DesignworksUSA's strategic direction and daily operations. In 2007, BMW Group DesignworksUSA was recognized with more than 16 prestigious design awards. As a member of BMW Design, DesignworksUSA was part of the Red Dot Design Team of the Year. Lastly, they reached another milestone in 2007 with the unveiling of their new design studio wing.

About BMW Group DesignworksUSA
With offices in Los Angeles, Singapore and Munich, BMW Group DesignworksUSA is a subsidiary of BMW Group with diverse and cross-functional expertise in the field of design strategy, design research, brand communications, color and materials, product development, 3D modeling, and engineering. Beyond its automotive design work for BMW Group, the design consultancy is commissioned by a large number of leading companies working in the transportation, consumer electronics, medical, consumer packaged goods, and lifestyle industries. More information can be found at: www.designworksusa.com


BMW Sauber F1: Website

BMW Motorsport

BMW Yachtsport

BMW Golfsport

BMW Oracle Racing

BMW Sport website

 

[rvb1019]

Anyone know where I can buy one of these calendars? I think one would look great in my office and in my garage.

 

[rvb1019]

errr..... NEVERMIND!

Found it:

https://shop.bmwgroup.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/Store-BMWShop-Site/en_GB/-/EUR/Migration-Start?shop=LIFE&sku=80+63+0+433+018&MM=EXXKHLMCLD


It's 25 euros or almost $37 bucks USD without shipping and tax. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To me, it's a bit much for Calendar. And I spent over $100 for a cupholder for my LT!.

On a postive note, they did post the pics in various versions of jpegs. Hmmm, Wally World Here I come