THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!
Thunderbirds-Are-Go! as Ford Gives Visitors a Taste of the Hit Film to Come
May 2004 (Newstream) -- Thunderbirds-are-go! as Ford will have their largest ever stand at the British International Motor Show in Birmingham's NEC this year built around a huge 'Tracy Island' set from the summer blockbuster. The actual cars from the Thunderbirds film will also be on display, including Lady Penelope's FAB 1 pink limousine.
The 2004 Motor Show Live is set to be a show which highlights a diesel revolution. In 2 years time, predictions are that more than half of the vehicles produced in Europe will be diesel and Ford and Premier Automotive Group (PAG) are leading the way. In Birmingham the diesel Discovery 3 from Land Rover will have its world premiere; the 1.6 litre 90PS TDCi heralds a new era as the first diesel sporty Fiesta and another performance diesel first is Ford's Mondeo ST TDCi. In the UK alone, in 1990 less than one in 10 new cars sold was equipped with a diesel engine, now they account for 30% of registrations. Ford and PAG spokespeople can offer informed comment.
At Birmingham there will also be the latest models and technology from Jaguar - including the new S-TYPE diesel and XJ long wheelbase; Land Rover - with the world premiere of the diesel Discovery 3; Volvo - with the new 2005 S60, V70 and XC70 models plus all-new S40 and V50 and Aston Martin's DB9 Volante will have its UK premiere.
Ford's Thunderbirds extravaganza comes to Birmingham
Ford will lead the way at the 2004 Sunday Times Motor Show Live with the biggest ever stand hosting a Thunderbirds themed interactive experience. Revealing Ford's association with the Universal Pictures movie, it will give visitors an exclusive preview prior to the film's release this Summer.
The stand - which is the size of a football pitch - will re-create Tracy Island constructed using five tonnes of sand, featuring an 840 metre 'lake' and a 16 metre long Thunderbird 2 suspended above. Visitors to the stand will be able to see original vehicles, sets and props via an interactive tour, including the star of the show - Lady Penelope's stunning pink, 8.2metre long, six-wheel FAB1 limousine which was co-developed by the filmmakers and Ford's own in-house design team.
A 25-minute long live action spectacular will preview the movie and bring the 'Thunderbirds powered by Ford' experience to life for visitors.
As well as the Thunderbirds extravaganza, Ford will be using its largest ever European stand to showcase an unprecedented number of exciting new products and technologies. The new, faster Fiestas including the Fiesta ST production model, Fiesta RS Concept and all-new Fiesta Zetec S, will be revealed.
There will also be sporty diesels to get excited about including: the new Mondeo 155PS 2.2-litre ST TDCi, Fiesta 90PS 1.6 litre Zetec S TDCi - another first - and Euro Stage IV Ford Duratorq range.
It will be the first chance for the British public to get up close to the Ford GT, prior to the first UK customer deliveries in 2005. Also, new Ford 'Dura' powertrain technologies will be on show.
Volvo premieres the new 2005 S60, V70 and XC70 models
Birmingham sees the world debut of the new, refreshed 2005 S60, V70 and XC70 models - enhanced with exterior and interior upgrades, improved performance plus a new, dynamic Four-C Active chassis and innovative 'BLIS' safety technology.
Following their high-profile TV ad campaigns, the all-new S40 saloon and V50 sportswagon are sure to be among the stars of the show, where they'll be making their joint UK show debut. To demonstrate the sporty character of the car, there will also be a V50 on the stand fitted with the Sports styling pack and special 18inch alloy wheels.
Also on the stand is the C70 convertible, the latest S80 saloon and two examples of the XC90 - including the top of the range Executive model.
A special demonstrator unit will show Volvo's latest safety technology and innovations - the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), fitted to the door mirror to detect other 'hidden' road users, is the first of its kind for passenger cars and will be going into production in the new 2005 S60, V70 and SC70 models. Also on safety there is brake support, to alert the driver if not braking adequately; adaptive cruise control, to maintain a variable distance from the traffic ahead; plus another world-first - a door mounted Inflatable Curtain for the next generation Volvo C70 convertible.
The new 2004 diesel Discovery 3 from Land Rover makes its world debut
Land Rover comes to Motor Show Live celebrating the world debut of the all-new Discovery 3 TDV6. With a new engine that has already earned critical acclaim before being further enhanced and modified to suit the new Discovery, this vehicle joins the V8 petrol powered vehicle unveiled in New York last month. Due on sale later this year, it is anticipated to be Land Rover's most popular Discovery both in the UK and Europe.
Also making its debut will be a Freelander rally limited edition, inspired by the reconnaissance vehicles used by Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz during the 2001 World Rally Championship.
Land Rover will also be taking visitors 'off-road' at the NEC show, showing off its vehicles capabilities on an exciting urban off-road course just yards from the stand.
Jaguar's new S-TYPE diesel and XJ long wheelbase UK debut
Jaguar comes to Birmingham with an exciting and recently extended product range as in the last 18 months the whole of its product line up has been revised and renewed. The refreshed XK will go on display in Birmingham with its new look alongside the revised 2004 S-TYPE V6 twin-turbo Diesel and S-TYPE R.
Changes to the X-TYPE range - which includes V6, S, Sport, SE, Sport Premium and Sovereign - for UK customers will also be revealed at the show.
Estate and Diesel models have broadened the X-TYPE range making it even more competitive and a new accessory bodystyling package launched at this show adds another dimension.
For the XK, there is also a UK-specific 'Carbon Fibre Limited Edition' model (50 each of the XKR coupe and convertible). And the XJ LWB 4.2SE on the show stand, illustrates how the XJ's aluminium structure benefits from lightweight technologies.
Aston Martin brings the DB9 Volante to Birmingham
The elegant DB9 Volante will have its UK premiere in Birmingham. Launched in January 2004, it is the sixth new car from the company in less than three years.
It is being built at the new state-of-the art facility in Warwickshire, UK, alongside the DB9 Coupe which is also on display at the show.
The future of Aston Martin is epitomised by the DB9, a 2+2 seater sports car that sets new standards in its class due to its combination of agility, V12 engine power, smoothness, beautiful design and craftsmanship. Using a radical new aluminium-bonded body frame, the DB9 is one of the most sophisticated and technically advanced sports cars in the world. Powered by the latest version of Aston Martin's 6.0litre V12, it produces 450bhp and a top speed of 186mph.
Alongside the DB9 Volante and Coupe models on display at the Show will be the company's flagship model, the V12 Vanquish, featuring the Dynamics Pack, with uprated suspension, steering and brakes.
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