July 30 2009   Source: Bryan Joslin via BMW

BMW Group Finalizing Plans for Frankfurt Show

It's a full month and a half before the Frankfurt Motor Show will open, and BMW is making final preparations for its group display. The entire BMW Group — BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce — will be featured under one roof in the all-new Hall 11 of the Frankfurt Messe.

The BMW brand will focus on "Experiencing Joy" through the use of a new racetrack-inspired display floor. The track will feature a display of BMW's EfficientDynamics production vehicles. New models making their debuts at the show include the production versions of the new X1 and 5 Series GT, as well as ActiveHybrid versions of the X6 and new 7 Series. It is widely expected that BMW will also unveil a concept for a "green" sports car. Speculation is rampant over whether the concept will be a development of the M1 Homage concept or the 1 Series-based Z2 Roadster that has been confirmed already as a future model plan. We'll probably have to wait another month or so to find out.

MINI will be celebrating its 50th birthday at the show, just a couple weeks after its actual anniversary on August 26. The brand will unveil its next model, a crossover vehicle, as a concept at the show, although we expect it will be very close to the final production version, which may be christened "Countryman."

Rolls-Royce will present the production version of the Ghost model, and will also exhibit its complete line of Phantom models, including the long-wheelbase version and the drophead coupe.

Press days begin September 15th, and we'll be there to cover all the unveilings.