Barcelona International Motor Show is back on the road

FANS of four-wheeled transport need to clear their diaries for next week – Barcelona International Motor Show is due to return after a year-long hiatus.

Probably the biggest and most prestigious automobile trade fair in Spain and one of the largest and most significant in Europe, the showroom always attracts visitors from hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away – those in the motor industry try not to miss it, and members of the public with a strong interest in cars and the latest in driving technology pour in daily.

It starts on Saturday this week (October 2) and runs until the following Sunday (October 10), and the venue – the Montjuïc trade fair centre, pavilions 1 and 8 – opens at 10.00 and shuts at 20.00, with no closedown in the middle of the day for lunch.

Last year's did not go ahead, naturally, due to the pandemic, but with nearly 90% of the population aged 12 and over now fully vaccinated, the organisers consider it safe to proceed.

Masks must be worn and social distancing will apply, but there is no need to show a vaccine certificate or take a test.

Run by Fira Barcelona – the city's trade fair committee – and the Spanish Association of Car and Lorry Manufacturers (ANFAC), the International Motor Show is an ideal time to explore, touch and sit in the latest and hitherto-unreleased models, test-drive them, and even buy them.

A total of 23 motor manufacturers have confirmed their presence, including BMW, Volvo, Smart, Kia, Lexus, Cupra, Ford, Honda, Rénault, Subaru, Seat and Hyundai.

Electric, emissions-free vehicles will be the highlight of what the show's chairman, Enrique Lacalle, describes as 'a huge shop window' on the motor industry.

New technology for greener, more comfortable motoring will be showcased and explained, and 18 different vehicles which have not yet reached the forecourt will be on display and can be examined and driven by the public, with no commitment required.

Tickets cost €8 per head for each day's visit, with the under-12s getting in free, and are available online at Automobilebarcelona.com.