Car makers are all set to wow fans at this year’s British International Motor Show, sponsored by the Daily Telegraph, which is now less than six weeks away. October 23 marks the start of the nation’s favourite car-fest as more than 600,000 motoring fans, business people and families pour through doors at the NEC in Birmingham to see the motor industry in the bare metal.
This year’s Show promises visitors more to see and do than ever before in the event’s 100-year history. Fans of the new MINI will be dazzled by stunt driving in the MINI Adventure Live! arena while outside the halls, the aerobatics come courtesy of Team Alpine’s air display team.
Vauxhall’s off-road simulation will bring visitors a white-knuckle ride to remember and youngsters will be preparing for track thrills in the Lego Racers Drome, and perhaps a few spills as they paint cars in their own style in the Daihatsu Paint Box feature!
And then there are the cars, and lots of them. More than 700 models will be on show from the world’s leading manufacturers, including more than 10 world launches, three European debuts and 45 models seen for the first time in Britain.
Many remain under wraps, but the list of confirmed debuts includes models like the British-built Peugeot 206 GTi 180 bhp, a European first for Daihatsu’s Copen, Audi’s luxurious A8, the fantastic Enzo from Ferrari and zero-emissions Ford Focus fuel cell vehicle.
More than a quarter of a million people have already taken a virtual tour of the Show by logging onto www.motorshow.co.uk and 20,000 eager visitors have made big savings on normal ticket prices by booking on-line. But Show-goers need to be quick; ticket discounts end at midnight on 13 October 2002.
ends
Media passes for the Show are now being sent to journalists. To apply, log on to www.newspress.co.uk/motorshow_2002 Newspress registered journalists can automatically access the site and on-line application form with their existing password. Or, simply enter BIMS as your user name and 2002 as the password.
Notes to editors:
- This is the full list of confirmed debuts to date: Audi A8, Bentley GT Coupe, Caterham Superlight R 300, Chrysler Jeep Renegade, Chrysler Crossfire, Citroen Berlingo, Citroen C8, Citroen Pluriel, Daewoo Kalos, Daihatsu Copen, Enzo Ferrari, Ford Fiesta 3-dr, Ford StreetKa, Ford SportKa, Ford 4×4 Ranger, Ford Focus fuel cell concept, Honda Accord, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 807, Peugeot GTi 180 bhp, Smart Roadster, Toyota Landcruiser, Vauxhall Meriva, VW Phaeton, VW Touareg, Volvo XC90, Volvo V70R, Volvo S60R
- The British International Motor Show 2002 takes place from 23 October to 3 November at Birmingham’s NEC with public access from 24 October. Press Day is 22 October. Discount tickets for the Show are available through www.motorshow.co.uk or 0870 906 2002. Visitors can save £3 by booking on-line, with adult tickets priced at £12 for normal public days (25 October – 3 November). On the door, tickets are priced at £15. For the Daily Telegraph Preview Day on 24 October, tickets cost £25 in advance but £40 on the door, an on-line saving of more than a third. All discounts end at midnight on 13 October 2002.
- During the Show, doors will open from 9.30am to 7pm on all public days, closing at 5.30 pm on the final day.
- Pictures of the first SMMT-organised Motor Show in 1903 are now available to download from www.newspress.co.uk/motorshow_2002
