BMW Group Plaza hosts world and UK debuts in stunning outdoor arena.

The BMW Group (BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars) has announced its plans for the 2006 British International Motor Show at ExCeL in London’s Docklands. The three stands, set outdoors within the 11,000 square metre BMW Group Plaza, are set to rewrite the rule book on how a company presents its products and activities at a motor show.

The BMW Group Plaza will include: the first BMW world debut at a British motor show; UK debuts for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce products; the full range of products from BMW and MINI; a MINI Concept; Formula 1, World Touring Car Championship, Formula BMW show cars; a lifesize BMW Oracle America’s Cup showboat; a hole-in-one golf competition; an opportunity to battle “aliens” from inside a MINI; exclusive areas for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce owners and VIPs; a host of fake MINIs; BMW motorcycles. The whole display will be set in a dramatic alfresco arena alongside Royal Victoria Dock and directly in front of the ExCeL entrance.

Real MINIs, fake MINIs, and a concept MINI makes motor show a must-see for MINI adventurers.

• MINI GP UK Debut. The first sight in the UK of the most powerful, production MINI ever. MINI will present GP car number 001 in a series of just 444 GPs due for UK owners.
• The full line up of MINIs will be on display. Since 7 July 2001, when the first MINI One and MINI Cooper cars took the roads, almost 190,000 MINIs have been sold in the UK. The MINI family now consists of: MINI One, Cooper and Cooper S; MINI One D; MINI One, Cooper and Cooper S Convertible; MINI One Seven, MINI Cooper Park Lane and MINI Cooper S Checkmate; MINI GP.
• UK debut of the MINI Concept that hints at the third MINI model confirmed for production. The concept, unveiled at the 2006 Geneva motor show, celebrates Paddy Hopkirk’s famous 1964 Monte Carlo victory… and Mini’s “unfair” disqualification two years later.
• MINI owners will be invited onto the MINI BARge, a purpose built floating hospitality venue dedicated to all things MINI.
• MINI visitors will enjoy a MINI Fake Invaders game where they battle against fake MINIs from inside a real MINI.
• And tipping a wink to those that have tried to copy MINI’s successes in the UK since its 2001 launch, MINI has allowed a number of fake MINIs to attend the show. MINI has received confirmation of attendance from a fake MINI shed, a fake MINI piano and a fake MINI ride-on lawnmower, but is trying to prevent a 20 metre high fake MINI crane from spoiling the party.

Andy Hearn, MINI UK’s General Manager said: “at the NEC in 2002 and 2004 we presented MINI Adventure Live and MINI Open Air Theatre and introduced a new and exciting concept for motor shows. Just what MINI fans expected. It was always going to be a tough act to follow, but I am sure this year’s show-goers will get a great buzz from visiting MINI. They may even get to destroy a few aliens”.