BMW is bringing all its brands together for this year's
Frankfurt Motor Show for the first time in a single place. In past years BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce were located in different halls, but for 2009 all three brands will be located in Hall 11. Each marque has something new too, which means the group should attract plenty of attention.
The BMW area will be enclosed by "a circuit of several hundred metres length". This will be used to exhibit the EfficientDynamics fleet and to show off BMW's new models under the theme "Experiencing Joy". World debuts include hybrid versions of the
7 Series and
X6. We first saw the
7 ActiveHybrid concept at last year's
Paris Motor Show, but this year's models should be production ready. The
5 Series Gran Turismo and
X1 will also get their first public outing in production guises. The former combines elements of 5 and 7 Series as well as BMW's crossover models, while the latter is BMW's smallest "X" model, which should cost just over £24,000 when it goes on sale in October.
The MINI stand marks 50 years of the small car in a big way. Diagonally, across the top of the stand are the words, "What a Birthday. It's a MINI." Two anniversary models, the MINI 50 Camden and MINI 50 Mayfair will be on display along with the MINIMALISM concept, featuring economy enhancing and emissions reducing measures. We also expect the MINI crossover to bow in.
Even though the rest of the BMW Group has plenty of new products probably the most eagerly awaited launch at Frankfurt will be the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Although technical data has been released, the finished styling and interior design are still under wraps. The Phantom, including the Drophead Coupé and Extended Wheelbase models will also be on show. The Rolls-Royce stand is described as "an open building with a daylight roof".
We'll know more on September 15 when the doors to the show open. For full details, keep an eye on our dedicated
Frankfurt Motor Show page.
John Lambert - 5 Aug 2009