Capital gears up for premier show (From Witney Gazette)

Capital gears up for premier show

Summer means showtime, and the new-look British International Motor Show returns to London next week after 30 years in the Midlands.

Rolls-Royce 101 EX

With more than 200 exhibitors, 40 and more vehicle manufacturers, and at least six global premieres expected, it is back in the Capital with a bang. Vauxhall's new Corsa will be among the big launches, and manufacturers are already starting to reveal their line-ups for what will be a unique Thames-side setting.

Extravaganza is the word that best sums up what many car manufacturers are planning for Britain's premier motoring event, with BMW, for instance, occupying the BMW Group three stands, set outdoors within the 11,000 square metre BMW Group Plaza.

The German firm says it is set to rewrite the rule book on how a company presents its products and activities at a motor show.

Part of the BMW group is a legendary name, Rolls-Royce, and the stunning new 101 EX will appear in a dramatic alfresco arena alongside Royal Victoria Dock, directly in front of the ExCeL entrance.

BMW has been known to give previous British motor shows a very noticeable miss, but it's a different tale this year, as the firm's UK managing director, Jim O'Donnell, said: "I hope we help kick-start great things for future British International motor shows."

Extravaganza is the word that best sums up what many car manufacturers are planning for Britain’s premier motoring event

Supporting O'Donnell's comments is the world premiere of a new BMW.

Ford will be celebrating a landmark total sales number for the country's top-selling car, the Ford Focus. One of the newest Ford Focus cars is a model capable of running on bioethanol and petrol. The Ford Focus Flexible Fuel Vehicle, Britain's first biofuel car, will be among a number of Ford cars on display able to use this renewable fuel.

Another new model in the Focus range is the Coup-Cabriolet, which will be seen in Britain for the first time. Other Ford star exhibits are the new Ranger, as well as the S-MAX, Galaxy and Focus ST.

The motor show opens to the public on Thursday, July 20, and runs through to Sunday, July 30. The one-day trade-only viewing is on Wednesday, July 19. The event's website, www.britishmotorshow.co.uk, has all the information on entry prices, latest exhibitor news, and hotel bookings.