Motorexpo fires up at Canary Wharf with record crowds expected
The 2011 Motorexpo at London’s Canary Wharf officially opened to the public today (Monday 6 June), and organisers are expecting an incredible 400,000 visitors to attend before the show closes on Sunday 12 June, making it the biggest in a successful 15-year history.
Officially the UK’s largest free-to-visit motoring event, Motorexpo has signed up a record number of manufacturers this year including Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Skoda, Tesla, Vauxhall and Volvo. In all, over 250 vehicles are on display during the seven-day show, among them models such as the new Jaguar XF, Bentley Continental GT and Range Rover Evoque, which are making their UK public debuts.
The proceedings got underway today with a cavalcade of Jaguar E-Types travelling between central London and Canary Wharf. The special convoy of iconic cars took in a host of famous London landmarks, including The Mall and Whitehall. The cavalcade was led by a group of cyclists representing Motorexpo’s designated charity, UK Youth, and was accompanied by riders from the Metropolitan Police. At the head of the procession was former F1 world champion and keen cyclist, Nigel Mansell OBE, the charity’s president.
Not only is Motorexpo Britain’s biggest free motor show, it is also the most interactive, taking advantage of the urban environment in and around the Canary Wharf estate. Visitors are encouraged to touch and explore the diverse range of vehicles on display throughout the indoor and outdoor public spaces, and they can also get behind the wheel of many exciting new cars.
At the 2011 London event, for example, visitors can experience the latest electric and low-carbon vehicles in a unique new feature entitled ‘Drive the Future’. Attendees can be among the first to test drive the new Vauxhall Ampera, and can also get behind the wheel of innovative electric cars such as the compact Mitsubishi i-MiEV and sporting Tesla Roadster.
Another fantastic attraction is RaceRoom, a thrilling race simulator zone where members of the public compete to win a once-in-a-lifetime F1 experience run by Lotus Renault GP team’s I-Race Programme, courtesy of Lotus cars. The prize is to live the life of an F1 driver for the day, piloting a real F1 car at the Hungaroring circuit in Hungary.
As well as a very wide range of cars, visitors to Motorexpo on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June will have the chance to experience live music performances. Also present over the weekend will be Titan the Robot, a futuristically styled computer-controlled giant robot that will entertain young and old alike. And characters from the upcoming ‘Cars 2’, including the ever-popular Lightning McQueen, will be making a special appearance.
Attendees can also visit more than 200 high-quality shops, cafes and restaurants located around Canary Wharf. Recent fashion openings include Tiffany & Co., Jaeger and Hackett. Seven new bars and restaurants have opened in the past 18 months to critical acclaim.
Motorexpo is completely free to attend. There are no tickets and no queues, with easy access to the event via one of the wide variety of transport options available. Visitors can take the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Thames Clipper river boat or bus. There’s also space for 2,900 cars within Canary Wharf’s four underground public car parks.
Graeme Carver, Motorexpo CEO, commented: “This summer’s event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. The roster is brimming with leading mainstream and prestige car manufacturers, and the promise of being able to get up close to the latest models is a major draw. The 97-acre, privately-run Canary Wharf estate is a world-class destination, with high quality shops and a host of great places to eat and drink. There really is something for everyone.”
Motorexpo is open daily between 10.00am and 6.00pm from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 June, and between 11.00am and 5.00pm on Sunday 12 June. Entry is free. Details on how to get there and information on the show are available at motorexpo.com.
