The Museum has got a face-lift, and above all it has changed its character and aim: not only a mere architectural renovation, but an intervention aimed at placing this revamped museum in a dynamic and sensational way, into the Italian cultural landscape. Its contemporary and futuristic look was created and designed by architect Cino Zucchi, and the innovative exhibition space bears the signature of Francois Confino, set designer, who has already fitted out the National Cinema Museum in Torino.

2011 is going to be a significant year for Torino and for Italy as well: 150 years ago in the capital city of Piedmont, the new born Italian state identified its first capital, and there it remained until 1865. 51 years ago Torino's Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile was created, and today its opening will transform it into a museum for everybody, dedicated to car lovers but also to young people and children. It is an exhibition that tells the whole story of the car: from manufacturing, to its use as a means of mass transportation, till becoming the symbol of one of the most important national traditions. Torino is recognised as the Italian capital of automobiles: from its industry to design, from design to engineering, from research centres to production. Automobiles are not only seen as a phenomenon based on production, but also as a cultural and social mark, enhanced and expressed by the new look of the Museum.

Giorgetto Giugiaro, Fabrizio Giugiaro and Walter de' Silva will attend the ceremony. 

In addition to the Italdesign Structura and the Alfa Romeo Brera concept, some showcars of the Volkswagen Group will be displayed: the VW Milano Taxi, Lamborghini Estoque and Audi E-Tron.

The ceremony will be aired on italian tv channel Rai Storia starting at 10am.