Earl’s Court Motor Show presents the ‘future’ of motoring at the Revival

Land Rover Defenders old and new

Jaguar Land Rover has a big presence in Earl’s Court. Quite what 1940s, ’50s and ’60s folk make of a ‘House of Brands’ is anyone’s guess, but they’re probably too distracted by the concept of a Defender OCTA to try to get their heads around 21st century marketing strategies. A wide-arched current generation Defender with a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 635PS (467kW) will be incomprehensible to 1966 eyes.

Perhaps a little easier to grasp will be the Classic Defender V8 Works Bespoke, which nestles next to it in a moody, dark display. Closer in character to Land Rovers of Revival era, it is nonetheless enhanced with modern-day trinkets to make it more palatable to modern tastes. It demonstrates Land Rover’s customisation options. These two cars are particularly special as they showcase JLR’s new ‘matched pair’ philosophy, which brings together modern and classic in a brand-new way. There’s also a rolling chassis on show, so you can see up close its 5.0-litre V8, ZF 8-speed gearbox, Alcon brakes and Bilstein suspension.

Both cars are set alongside an era-correct Series 1 Land Rover, the famous ‘HUE’, which serves to illustrate how far the off-roader has come since its inception.

In 1966, Range Rover didn’t exist and certainly wasn’t a brand within a metaphorical house. The idea of combining luxury on-road travel with off-road ability was first hinted at with the Range Rover Velar concept of 1970, and it is displayed alongside a new Range Rover SV that adds a generous dose of dynamic performance to the recipe. The former is shown in a 1970s style showroom where visitors can immerse themselves in the world Range Rover was born into, which contemporary technology is displayed alongside the car.

Old and new BMW 3 Series

There are three elements to the BMW stand. On one side, a period garage scene plays host to a new 330e. The contemporary saloon would be more at home in a shiny-tiled main dealer workshop; it looks at odds with the old-school oily rag workshop. 

Next door is a set-dressed convenience store kitted out with genuine packaging from period groceries. You’ll marvel at the size of an old Quality Street tin, and raise an eyebrow that BMW chose to ‘stock’ Rover brand biscuits. Then there’s an old petrol station set-up where an E21 generation BMW 3 Series awaits.

BMW also takes centre stage in the exhibition hall with a display of Art Cars that you won’t want to miss.

Minis from the road and the rally stage

BMW stablemate Mini is next door, and we’ll admit we were first drawn to the recreation of 33 EJB, the car Paddy Hopkirk drove to victory in the 1964 Monte Carlo rally. Is there a more purposeful 10-foot-long car than a works rally prepared Mini? 

John Cooper’s name continues to be synonymous with performance Minis, which is illustrated by the road-going cars that sandwich the diminutive competition car. Two electric John Cooper Works models share the same 255PS (190kW) motor to varying effect. The regular three-door translates that to a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds while the towering Paceman, which dwarfs its forebear, takes 6.4 seconds. Earl’s Court allows our Revival time travellers to see where the Mini brand will be taken in the future.

The evolution of Alpine

Alpine is showing a highly abridged three-car evolution of its future. The earliest car on show is arguably its most famous – the original A110. It’s displayed in rally-going form which is where the rear-engined two-seater made its name. Alpine was also prolific in endurance racing, so next we move on to the Group 5 A441.

Both are in stark contrast to the electric A390 SUV that signals Alpine’s future. And for once we’re not playing with the pre-1966 conceit when we say it’s from the future because the car hasn’t gone on sale yet. Alpine itself calls it a ‘five-seat sports fastback’, and you could argue that this high-riding crossover avoids the utilitarian appearance of an SUV.  

And finally…

Earl’s Court Motor show goers who need a break can stop at the Ford Valve Café. While it’s Blue Oval themed, there’s really much more of a Cosworth theme. What other greasy spoon has a line-up of engines that includes an SCA, FVA and a DFV?