British Motor Show Canned for 2012, its Future Remains Unclear

After being canceled in 2010, the London-based biannual British International Motor Show has also been ditched for 2012. The announcement was made on Thursday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which organizes the event.

"In recent years the show has played a less important role in influencing new car buyers and vehicle manufacturers are focusing their limited resources on events and activities that have a more direct impact on brand awareness and consumer decisions," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt.

The first edition of the British Motor Show was held back in 1903, while from 1976 it became a biennial event. It was hosted at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre from 1978 until 2004 before moving to ExCel in 2006. The last show was successfully staged at London's ExCel arena in 2008 where it attracted around 472,000 visitors. It remains unclear if and when the show will be reinstated.

___________________GALLERY: 2008 British Motor Show__________________

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2010 British Motor Show Cancelled Amid Financial Downturn

Organizers have axed next year's 2010 British International Motor Show because of the recession that has hit the automobile industry and consumers alike. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) made the announcement today saying that the economic downturn " made it impossible for exhibitors to commit to a 2010 event."

"The British International Motor Show is the UK's largest consumer exhibition, hugely popular with the public, and has been attracting increasing numbers of visitors over recent years, making the decision to cancel the 2010 Show an extremely difficult one," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. "However, the global credit crunch has placed the automotive sector under unique pressure and has created a level of uncertainty that deters manufacturers from committing to large-scale, international events," he added.

It should be noted that the organizers have not made it clear when (or if...) the British Motor Show will open its doors again.

Speaking on behalf of International Motor Industry Events (imie), the organizers of the British International Motor Show, joint managing director Rob Mackenzie said: "Given the great strides that the Motor Show has taken since its return to London, we fully endorse the decision to postpone BIMS until market conditions will again permit us to deliver a world class event that truly showcases the UK industry."

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Opel Insignia Officially Unveiled!

Following a series of leaks – the latest being a new set of images that we posted earlier today, Opel finally decided to officially take the wraps off the all-new Insignia. Designated to replace the Vectra in Opel’s European line-up, the Insignia will be available in the UK with the Vauxhall badge (see pics after the jump) while it’s quite possible that we will also see it in the States as the successor to the Saturn Aura.

Opel’s new 4.83 meter / 190.1 in. mid-size sedan boasts a sexy silhouette that’s clearly inspired from the 2007 Geneva Show GTC Concept. “With Insignia we are introducing an exciting new sophisticated design vocabulary, which combines sculptural artistry with German precision,” says Mark Adams, Vice President Design, GM Europe. “Our aim was to develop a confident look which compels the world to experience for themselves the superb driving dynamics the Insignia radiates.”

For the first time, and apart from the front-wheel versions, Opel will be offering its mid-size sedan with an all-wheel drive system dubbed “Adaptive 4X4”. Both versions of the Insignia will can be combined with Opel’s FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with Adaptive Stability Technology that helps the car adjust to prevailing driving conditions and allows the driver to select settings to match his mood.

The Insignia’s initial engine line-up will consist of seven units, four gasoline engines ranging from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp and three new direct-injection diesels featuring a displacement of 2.0 liter and outputs spanning from 110 to 160 hp. -Continued

“The Opel Insignia sets new standards in technology and innovation -- this will be obvious right from the launch. But we are keeping several cards up our sleeves when it comes to environmental compatibility, excitement and safety, which we will play strategically overtime” says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, GM Europe.

The Insignia notch- and hatchback will make their debut on July 22, 2008 at the London Motor Show with sales set to start in Europe this fall.

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2009 Opel Insignia: New Image Gallery Released

After releasing pictures of the taillight - headlight treatment and an initial set of camouflaged shots (click here), Opel has followed up with a new image gallery of its upcoming Insignia sedan that will replace the Vectra in Europe, and most possibly, the Saturn Aura in the States.

While the Insignia shown in these pictures is once again covered with that annoying black adhesive tape, the new images give us a clearer view of the mid-size sedan’s exterior styling which is heavily inspired from the 2007 GTC Concept. The Insignia which is based on GM’s Epsilon-2 platform, is to be unveiled at the London motor show in 2008 with sales beginning in Europe shortly after.

About a year later, Opel plans to unveil a sporty edition of the Insignia bearing the OPC logo that will be powered by an updated version of the current Vectra OPC’s 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivering approximately 300 HP. Unlike the top-notch Vectra however, the Insignia OPC will get a four-wheel-drive system. –15 high res pics after the jump

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Nissan Qashqai+2: 7-Seater, Long-Wheel-Base Version Revealed

Earlier today we revealed to you the initial details on Nissan’s newest variant of the Qashqai –also called Dualis in Japan, Australia and elsewhere, the seven-seater Qashqai+2. No thanks to an online leak, we now have the official images of the long-wheel-base version of Nissan’s compact crossover.

Set to make its global debut at the London Motor Show in July, the Qashqai+2 features an extended wheelbase by 135 mm or 5.3 in. – taking it to 2,765 mm or 109 in.– while its overall length has risen to 4,526 mm or 178.2 in, an increase of 211 mm or 8.3 in. over the five-seat version.

Additionally, Nissan’s designers lengthened the roofline and re-profiled at the rear of the vehicle, adding 38 mm to the overall height and taking it to 1,643 mm or 64.7 in. Headroom in the front and middle row of seats has increased by 16 mm and 10 mm respectively, while knee room in the middle row has improved by 23 mm. -Continued after the jump

At the same time, both front and rear doors have been restyled while the rear pair are completely new – longer and also with squarer window frames. According to the Japanese carmaker, these changes allowed the addition of a third row of foldable seats that are designed to fit children or adults up to 1.6m or 5.2 ft tall. Probably more important is the fact that, when the third row of seats are folded away, the Qasqhai+2 boasts almost 500 litres of potential luggage capacity, an increase of 90 litres over ithe standard Qasqhai.

The extra length and equipment found in Qashqai+2 had its toll on the cars overall weight which has been raised by approximately 100 kg or 220 pounds. According to Nissan, suspension settings have been revised to take account of the extra weight, while steering assistance has also been retuned.

In Europe, the Qashqai+2 will offer buyers a choice of two petrol (115Hp 1.6-litre 140 Hp 2.0-liter) and two diesel (106 Hp 1.5-liter and 150 Hp 2.0-liter) versions. While the two smaller engines will be solely available with front-wheel drive, the 2.0-litre diesel and petrol models will also be offered with Nissan’s ALL-MODE four-wheel drive system.

Finally, transmission options include a five-speed manual (1.6-litre petrol), six-speed manual (2.0 petrol and both diesels), six-speed automatic (4WD 2.0 dCi) and, a CVT transmission option on the 4WD 2.0-litre petrol.

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