Autovolt Magazine

Regent Street Motor Show Continues to Grow

This year’s Regent Street Motor Show (Saturday 2 November 2013) will be the biggest yet with the display area in London’s busy West End extended from Piccadilly Circus right up to Oxford Circus for the very first time, making the motor show the already well established free motor show even larger.

The Regent Street Motor Show showcases 125 years of motoring history ranging from the pioneering automobiles from Victorian times right up to the very latest supercars, including electric and hybrid vehicles.

Regent Street Motor Show, a Delta Electric Car in the foreground sits quietly beside a Caterham and Aston Martin
Regent Street Motor Show, a Delta Electric Car in the foreground sits quietly beside a Caterham and Aston Martin

The show takes place on the Saturday immediately before the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (Sunday 3 November 2013) which starts in Hyde Park. The Regent Street Motor Show is part of a free weekend of motoring hosted by the Royal Automobile Club.

Although all the world famous shops are open for business as usual, Regent Street is, of course, closed to traffic all day providing the hundreds of thousands of shoppers, Londoners and tourists, a unique chance to savour some sparkling automotive displays from 10.00am to 4.00pm in the pedestrianised zone.

As has been the case at most motor shows this year already, highlights will include celebrations for 50 years of the Porsche 911 and 100 years of the Aston Martin marque. The 911 has always been a favourite on the capital’s streets while Aston Martin was founded locally in Chelsea by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford back in 1913. Other motor manufacturers including BMW and Renault will also be showcasing their latest models, most likely the BMW i3 electric car just ahead of it’s November sales start date and the recently unveiled i8 hybrid sports car. Renault’s offerings are likely to include their full range of electric cars and perhaps the more outrageous Renault Twizy F1, featuring radical looks and a powerful Formula 1 derived KERS electric motor.

Regent Street Motor Show
Regent Street Motor Show

Adding to the sense of history, more than 100 pre-1905 veteran cars will drive to Brighton the morning after the Motor Show and will participate in a special EFG International Concours d’Elegance staged at the north end of Regent Street the day before their journey south.

“The annual Regent Street Motor Show is a truly unique event. It is not only set in one of the world’s most famous shopping streets right in the heart of London’s buzzing West End but, featuring such a comprehensive collection of amazing cars, also provides a truly amazing spectacle. Now with the road closure stretching all the way up to Oxford Circus, there will be even more eye-catching displays for all-comers to enjoy come this year’s eagerly-anticipated event.”

Said Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee.

“The Crown Estate’s recent investment in Regent Street has made it a must visit shopping and dining destination and The Regent Street Motor Show, displaying cars from the past, present and future, provides a good reason for visitors to come who possibly have no idea how the street has been transformed into the best shopping street in the West End.”

Added Annie Walker, Director of the Regent Street Association.

More detailed information will be announced in the weeks running up to the 2013 Regent Street Motor Show.

Source; Regent Street Motor Show