600 Racing and Road Cars Roar into the NEC for Autosport International

06 December 2005

The biggest ever collection of more than 600 performance and racing cars seen in the UK will be on display at Autosport International 2006, 14 & 15 January at the NEC, Birmingham. Some of these astonishing cars will be unveiled to the world for the very first time whilst others will be making their UK debut. Headlining will be French manufacturers Ligier, who will make their first appearance at Autosport International and unveil the JS49 Sport Prototype.

The new Mitsubishi L200 pick-up will make its UK debut at Autosport International, fresh from its European launch at the Bologna Motor Show on 1 December. This third generation L200 double cab boasts radical styling inspired by Mitsubishi’s ten-time Dakar winning Pajero Evolution, a brand new engine, new suspension, steering and drive-train.

The new Euro IV compliant 2.5 litre direct injection turbo diesel engine’s standard power has been upped to 136bhp with the option of an automatic gearbox for the first time. A power upgrade will be available, from the launch in March, taking the standard power output up to around 160bhp.

The ninth generation of Mitsubishi’s award-winning Lancer Evolution supercar the EVO IX FQ-340, launched earlier this year, will also headline at the show. The Evo IX’s redesigned front bumper echoes the style of Mitsubishi’s latest World Rally Car and incorporates additional cooling ducts. At the rear, the new bumper features a diffuser for improved aerodynamics, while the new-design five-spoke Enkei alloy wheels help to reduce the unsprung mass of the car and improve the handling. The flagship FQ-340 develops 345bhp at 6800rpm, which is enough to propel this Mitsubishi from 0-62mph in just 4.3secs and on to 157mph.

Fulda Tyres will make a dramatic entrance at Autosport International when they showcase the awesome Maybach Exelero. Appearing for the first time in the UK, this one-off machine is fitted with the latest Fulda UHP (ultra-high-performance) Exelero tyre.

The car, which will be the central feature of the Fulda stand, recently reached 217.9mph (351 km/h) in the capable hands of test driver Klaus Ludwig, three-time German Touring Car Champion. The car weighs in at more than 2.66 tons with the turbo-charged 5.9-litre engine delivering 700 horsepower to 23-inch tyres.

This is the first time that Alfa Romeo has exhibited at Autosport International and the famed Italian sporting car manufacturer will feature its exciting new Brera sportscar, which was first revealed as a Giugiaro styled concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2002. The Alfa Romeo Brera's all-new chassis features state-of-the-art multi-link suspension, and the range embraces three powerful and responsive engines, all with six speed transmissions: 2.2 petrol (185bhp); 2.4 turbodiesel (200bhp) and 3.2 V6 petrol (260bhp) - the latter in conjunction with Alfa Romeo's sophisticated Q4 four-wheel drive system.

The new Subaru Impreza WRX STI will be showcased for the first time in this country at the NEC. The new Impreza forges even stronger links with its World Rally Championship counterpart which will also be featured on the stand, celebrating its 10th year in the WRC. The new Impreza has had a dynamic facelift with spread-wings mesh grille and hawk-eye headlamps plus three new high-torque 2.0 and 2.5 litre ‘Boxer’ engines.

Connaught, a famous British marque from the 1950s was the first British manufacturer to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, beating works Maserati and Ferraris. The company will be exhibiting their latest car, their first performance sport coupe, the Connaught Type-D V10 on the Advantage West Midlands stand, the Regional Development Agency (RDA) for the West Midlands who are exhibiting a selection of cars from the region.

Team Spatz Ltd of West Bromwich will be launching the Zolfe Orange on the AWM stand, a 60s Le Mans GT inspired low volume road legal sports car. The rear wheels are powered by a front mounted turbo charged Yamaha motorcycle engine generating 240bhp. After the engineering team had brainstormed concepts for the Zolfe Orange, Euroscanners generated CAD data for engine, gearbox and rear axle assemblies by laser scanning physical components.

You can avoid the queues and book online now at www.autosport-international.com for tickets to the show, which include entrance to the Live Action Arena at £25.00 for adults and £17.50 for children, or by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 380 2244. If you book before Wednesday 14 December you could be the lucky winner of Jason Plato’s SEAT Sport UK overalls.

Brand new for 2006 is an exclusive Paddock Pass ticket available at £31. This special pass gives holders access to the new paddock area built backstage in the Live Action Arena where you can get up close to the cars and talk to the drivers. You will also get fast-track entry and priority seating in the Live Action Arena plus the opportunity to watch extra performances from the sidelines. This fantastic offer also includes exclusive access to the Driver Signing Area with the opportunity to obtain autographs from your racing heroes.

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