British Motor Show

19th July 2006

After years at the NEC in Birmingham, the organisers – the motor manufacturers’ SMMT group – has brought the event back to London at the state-of-the-art ExCeL centre in Docklands.

This week's issue of Auto Express magazine features a 40-page Motor Show special supplement, highlighting some of the attractions and stand locations.

Be sure to pay us a visit on our official stand (N27A), where you can win one of the show stars! You’d better take some sunglasses to the British Motor Show – because with so many glittering stars, you’re going to need them! This year’s expo is set to be the best ever and, appropriately, the British-based manufacturers have pulled out all the stops. You will see world debuts from Land Rover, Jaguar and Vauxhall, plus global debuts from BMW and SEAT, and a whole host of other UK firsts, too.

Pick of the bunch must be Vauxhall’s Corsa. With its eyes on the supermini sales charts top spot, it’s got Ford’s Fiesta worried, with a sporty new look, more cabin space and a great line-up of state-of-the-art petrol and diesel engines.

Over at Land Rover, the new Freelander takes a bow and goes on sale later this year. ExCeL will be your first chance to get close to the SUV, which has a chunky, Discovery-derived body, high-quality cabin featuring Terrain Response for the first time, plus 2.2-litre diesel and 3.2 petrol motors.

If it’s high performance that gets you going, Jaguar’s XKR is the car to see. Powered by a 420bhp super-charged V8, it promises searing pace and an awesome soundtrack. Do not forget the regular XK, either.

While you are working your way around ExCeL, you might notice some absentees, though. There’s a no-show from Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen; in fact, the only VW Group brand in London is SEAT, which is showing off the Leon Cupra. Nor will you find Fiat, Perodua, Proton, Subaru or Suzuki. Exotica firms Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche have declined the chance to appear at ExCeL, too. However, with the Supercar Paddock exhibiting an amazing array of fast machinery and, of course, all those show stars, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

PLUS! Don’t forget, while you’re there you can also grab your copy of Auto Express – the UK’s biggest-selling weekly motoring title – with all the latest news, road tests and stories that matter. Don’t miss out!

Click on the images for floorplans and details of how to find the show.

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