Steve Davies

News that Aston Martin has been voted the UK's Coolest Brand for the fifth time in six years got me thinking - What does it mean? How did they get there? And how can other brands get in on the action?

Ever since Jeremy Clarkson tried to destroy a Toyota Hilux on Top Gear (and failed), it's gained something of a reputation as being unbreakable. Toyota's marketing people were quick to pick up on the show's endorsement and have subsequently made it a key theme of their ads.

Proof, if ever it were needed, that the car industry makes the best ads - Hyundai's new TV spot for the Veloster is the second this year to feature the Grim Reaper and continues the trend started by Mercedes in showing how technology can be used to cheat death.

I feel compelled to bring the following videos to your attention, not because of some otherworldly showcase of fine driving skills, nor because they scoop the latest drop-dead-gorgeous supercar - in fact they have very little to do with cars at all - even though they've been produced by one of the most sought after car brands, BMW.

Environmental campaigners Greenpeace have launched a spoof series of 'Darth Vader' adverts directly attacking Volkswagen. The two videos are a direct parody of VW’s mini Darth Vader campaign which were shown in the week leading up to this year's US Super Bowl and the televised half-time ad break.

Earlier today we brought you news about Ken Block's latest plans for Gymkhana FOUR - most notably that he'll be driving a 'hybrid' powered Ford. Ken is currently in the midst of testing for the shoot, therefore information on the exact configuration of this hybrid powerplant is still a closely guarded secret, so the next best thing would be some pictures, right? And how about some video as well?

Keep your eyes open during the next few months for signs of Ken Block's new Gymkhana viral - Gymkhana FOUR is the next chapter in the massively successful web video series that sees Block perform his own brand of autocross through a tight and twisty series of cones and solid objects. Called Gymkhana (jim-kah-nuh), Ken's hybrid version is performed at speed and with the maximum amount of hoonage.

MINI Germany has developed the first multiplayer 3D console-quality race game for Facebook, based upon the MINI John Cooper Works. The game is on the recently re-launched Facebook page for MINI Germany www.facebook.de/MINI.Deutschland.