Excited -- Just Signed Up For KIM (Kidz In Motion)!

I can't wait to go to the annual Kidz In Motion conference in August.  This conference is held each year in memory of Police Officer Kimberly Hassell-Bazoge, who passed away suddenly in June of 1999. 



There will be panel discussions, workshop sessions and manufacturers' exhibits -- all focused on child passenger safety.  Looking forward to meeting all the CPST's I've been working with all over the country, putting faces to familiar names, and seeing all the new seats from Chicco (conference sponsor), Britax, Graco and more. 



I've attended other safety conferences (LifeSavers, etc.), but always as an exhibitor -- which is hard on the feet, and does not allow access to the panels or workshops.  This time I'll be a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician -- seated and soaking up knowledge!

Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt FF at 15 months

OK, I admit it, I will drop everything if there is news about Brangelina and/or Jennifer Aniston, so I clicked on this link promising photos of their youngest children.  When I saw this picture of the happy(?) couple loading their 15 month old twins into forward-facing car seats, I was disappointed.  Tsk, tsk.  They travel the world for human rights -- I wish they knew about the benefits of rear-facing.

 

For the record, I am on Team Aniston, but I don't know if she harnesses her dogs when she travels with them.

2012 Porsche Boxster Latest Winter Spy Photos

New spy photos of the 2012 Porsche Boxster were captured in snowy northern Europe. The pictures show a new body for the Porsche model, with just a hint of the car's LED daytime lights.

The photographer on the scene says the Boxster prototype is definitely "lower and wider than the current generation." The front bumper appears to extend closer to the ground, and tape could be covering up changes in the side panels and sills. Thus far, the car has mainly been spied with a cloth roof. Perforated brake disks, already available on the current model, can be seen in these photos.

Previous reports mention Porsches need to reduce CO2 emissions down to about 180 g/km. As a result, Porsche is considering a turbocharged three-cylinder engine for the third generation Boxster model.

Nonetheless, the real changes could be coming to the car's performance figures. Look for more efficient numbers to come from the next-gen Boxster, which will likely weigh less than the current model, as well as a 2011 launch.

Audi RS5 Leaked

Ever since the Audi A5 mid-size executive coupe was born 3 years ago, reports of a high-performance RS variant have been teasing us. Finally, the wait is over.

Goog thing we checked our inbox today because we received an anonymous email containing 18 full-resolution photos of the Audi RS 5. Simultaneously, we also received a tip from Australian Motoring blog Ausmotive.com which just posted the same photos which are sourced from a leaked brochure. Either way, go put your bib on, because the drooling starts now.

No details about the powertrain or performance specs are revealed in the brochure. However, it does mention three types of seating and four wheel design choices. Audi's 7-speed dual clutch S-tronic transmission is the only choice - no mention of 6-speed manual. Also, no flat-bottom steering wheel is shown.

Speculation over which powerplant will drive the RS 5 has ranged from a massaged 3.0-liter supercharged V6 in the S4, 4.2-liter V8 and 5.0-liter V10 in the RS 6 to the range topping 5.2-liter V10 from the R8. Horsepower has been logically guestimated between 450 PS (331 kW / 444 hp) and 550 PS (405 kW / 542 hp), essentially where the RS 4 leaves off with 420 PS (309 kW / 414 hp) and ending with the RS 6 and its 579 PS (426 kW / 571 hp).

The RS 5 will undoubtedly debut at the Geneva Motor Show in two weeks. According to previous reports, the RS5 hits the streets soon after in July.

Check out the 2011 Toyota Sienna

Here is the photo gallery of the next model Toyota Sienna.  For me, personally, I don't know... aesthetically I'm not feeling it.



Relatedly, how do you guys feel about driving your Toyotas now? Our model year Sienna has not been on the recall list, but I am definitely not uneasy (i.e., not uneasy, but not easy either).



Click here for TOYOTA RECALL LIST (Not including new Prius recall)

Panamera Commercial with Classic Porsches: Behind the Scenes [Video]

It may be a bit of "old news," but we were so impressed by this video that we had to showcase it. This "Making of" video takes viewers behind the scenes of a recent Porsche Panamera commercial shoot.

The "Family Tree" ad used 50 different Porsche models, with 22 professional drivers on hand to make it happen. In the final version, the cars race around miles of tarmac, all centered around the new Porsche Panamera. By the end of the video, the cars have splintered off to form the shape of a tree, with the Panamera creating "another bold line on the family tree," states the narrator.

The shoot for the television ad took three days to complete, with over 160 crew members involved. "Family Tree" was directed by @Radical Media's Jeff Zwart, who specializes in automotive ads. Amongst many other spots, Zwart directed the Hyundai Genesis Coupe commercial featuring Yo-Yo Ma.

The four-seat four-door Porsche Panamera is offered in three trim levels with either a 394-horsepower 4.8-liter naturally-aspirated V8, or a twin turbo model producing 493 hp. Six-speed manual and ZF seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearboxes are available. A hybrid version is also speculated.

KDMF Silent Auction: One of a Kind Poncho

I'm so proud to donate this one-of-a-kind Leopard & Black poncho to the Kyle David Miller Foundation Silent Auction.  It was created as a production sample -- which basically means I had several fabrics and colors and I wanted to see how they worked together in various combinations, so I had one of each combo sewn, and from these chose a "collection."  (How I love using Project Runway lingo!)  I loved this combo so much I ultimately decided to create it as a reversible, which makes this the original inspiration for one of our most popular styles. 

The winning bidder on this beauty will not only be safe, warm and chic, she will have the coveted position as the ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD to wear this style.  No running into an accidental twin at Mommy & Me or the grocery store!

Take a look at all the great items also on display here.  All proceeds benefit KDMF in their missions to educate the public car seat safety – especially extended harnessing, and provide safe 5-point harness car seats to families who otherwise could not afford them.  The auction will be running for the month of February. In order to make a bid, please email the name of the item you are bidding on, your name, address and the amount you wish to bid to bombedier@hotmail.com.

Good luck to all.  Remember, bid early and often to help out a great cause!