World Class Manufacturers Launch at Autosport
International
30 November 2004
Autosport International at the NEC, Birmingham, 13-16 January 2005,
promises to be the biggest and best show yet with a line up of world
class drivers and celebrities on hand to meet their British fans and
world class manufacturers lining up to launch new cars and products
never seen before in the UK.
The World Rally Car Feature is back by popular demand, located in Hall
6. This unique feature, which will include Citroen, Peugeot, Subaru,
Ford and Mitsubishi, offers the opportunity to get up close to the
2004 cars. It will also boast, for the first time, a service area,
where team mechanics will be stripping and reassembling cars in full
view of visitors.
The world class Autocar Supercar Paddock, in association with Autoglym,
promises to present a mouth-watering selection of cars, including some
never seen before in the UK. Already confirmed is a rare, limited edition
Ferrari 550 LM, Chevrolet’s sixth generation Corvette, the Dodge
SRT-10 (aka Viper), the new Porsche 911, the Maserati Grand Sport and
the Aston Martin Vanquish S.
The Live Action Arena, in association with Fulda Tyres and British
Eurosport, is fast filling up with a fantastic selection of racing
machines and displays guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping, not
to mention Jodie Kidd as compere.
A selection of some of the top rally cars from decades past will be
keeping the 5,000 spectators on the edge of their seats with Stig Blomqvist
at the wheel of the 1983 Audi Quattro, Mark Higgins in the 1997 Ford
Focus WRC and former double British Rally Champion Jonny Milner in
his 2003 British Championship winning Toyota Corolla.
Mitsubishi is set to present the UK debut of the Mitsubishi Colt CZT at the show.
More than an all-out sports car, the 3-door Colt CZT effortlessly combines dynamic
performance with a cool, modern design both inside and out. Built in Japan and
specifically developed for the Colt CZT, Mitsubishi’s 1.5 litre MIVEC DOHC
16 valve intercooled turbocharged engine has been tuned to develop 150bhp at
6,000rpm, with a top speed of 130 mph and 0-60mph in eight seconds.
Also on display will be the new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ-400. Based
on the Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ-320, the modified legendary Lancer 2 litre
turbocharged engine produces a mighty 405bhp and 355lb ft of torque. This is
enough to propel the FQ-400 from 0-60mph in an incredible 3.5 seconds and a top
speed in excess of 175mph.
The new shape of the EOS Supercar will be unveiled to the world at Autosport
International. A 50% model of the EOS - Exigence of Speed - will be shown for
the first time, just near the F1 Gallery. With three years to finish the design
and development of this 200+ mph three-seater supercar that will cost well over £300,000,
the team of F1 designers at MB Roadcars are hoping that this supercar will become
the ultimate driving machine and demonstrate that all sportscars do not have
to look similar. MB Roadcars are located in the silicon motorsport valley near
Silverstone.
Vredestein UK, based in Wellingborough, will be exhibiting a gull-wing concept
car, the Chevrolet Corvette Moray, designed by Italian Guigaro Design, never
seen before in the UK. As specialists in 'designer' tyres, the Corvette will
be fitted with the new Wintac Xtreme winter tyre, capable of speeds of up to
168mph.
Matker Engineering, based in Coventry and Nuneaton, will be displaying an aluminium
C-type Jaguar as the centrepiece of their stand. This engineering manufacturer
of automotive projects has also reproduced a 'wheeling machine' and an engineer
will be demonstrating how panels were made 50 years ago and how the technique
of hand forming of aluminium panels as outer skins of various cars is still used
today. There will also be aluminium parts of C-Type, D-type and E-type Jaguars
and Cobras and the Mk 1 mini parts for racing including doors, bonnet, boot and
fuel tanks.
The new and improved Subaru Impreza WRX STi will be presented on the Subaru stand.
Extensive chassis revisions for the Iconic Impreza range deliver an even sportier
drive, while the interior has undergone a thorough upgrade for a plusher ambience.
The STi will boast a revised suspension and all-wheel drive system which now
features a fast-acting helical front limited-slip differential (LSD), driver’s
control centre differential (DCCD) and standard yaw-rate sensor.
Subaru has recently launched a 24-hour test drive campaign, allowing potential
customers more time to fully appreciate the benefits of symmetrical all-wheel
drive. Every Subaru model is included in the programme, including the Impreza
WRX, the new Legacy 3.0R sepc.B and the Forester 2.5XT turbo.
For fast-track registration
and to beat the queues for the two dedicated trade days at Autosport International
on Thursday 13 and Friday 14
January at the NEC,
Birmingham, pre-register on-line at www.autosport-international.com and click
on trade. The show is open from 9am to 6pm with tickets costing £22.00
per day to include the all-new trade guide worth £6.00.
To pre-book tickets to for the public days, call the ticket hotline on 0870
902 0444 or visit www.autosport-international.com If you book before Wednesday
15
December you could be the lucky winner of Jason Plato’s SEAT Sport UK overalls.
Ticket prices with access to both the show and the Live Action Arena in association
with Fulda Tyres and British Eurosport are available at £25 for adults
and £17.50 for children. Entry to the show only is £18 for adults
and £10 for children.
