At the centre of these...

At the centre of these exciting new shows is the Motropolis Live Action Arena, where up to 20,000 people a day will be able to watch breath-taking displays of stunt driving, along with dramatic theatre, at close quarters.

You will find all the details of the show stars and stands, as well as information about all the live action and special displays, in our online guide. It certainly promises to be the most exciting British Motor Show ever! Look out for the stars, below.

Land Rover Discovery

The new Landie"s presence in Birmingham offers us all an early chance to get to grips with the fine detail before the car appears in British showrooms in October. Using a new 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel engine developed jointly with Peugeot, the seven-seat off-roader delivers 190bhp and 440Nm of torque.

But the Discovery 3 is not the only highlight of Land Rover"s display at the NEC. The manufacturer has also built an enormous indoor off-road course to demonstrate its cars" potential.

Hall 4, stand 740

Astra vs Golf

The British Motor Show gives many UK drivers their first chance to get up close to two of 2004"s most important new cars as they are displayed at the NEC.

With an adventurous look and a stronger line-up than ever, the new Astra is the best yet. It"s refined, roomy and has a capable chassis - but can it tempt badge-conscious buyers away from the more conservative Golf?

Hall 9, stand 410

Renault Modus

The French firm has big plans for its smallest cars. And the practical Modus, debuting at the NEC, proves the point. The mini-MPV slots into the Renault line-up above the sporty Clio.

Hall 5, stand 340

MINI Convertible

Can BMW improve on the brilliant MINI? Perfectly judged retro looks and a responsive, finely tuned chassis ensured the car was a winner with style-conscious and enthusiastic drivers alike when it was launched in 2001.

Three years on, the manufacturer has come up with a way of making the car even more desirable: by cutting off its roof and sending it to star at this year"s British Motor Show.

Hall 10, stand 760

Fast Fords

Ironic though it might seem, we reckon it will be the smallest cars that draw the biggest crowds on Ford"s giant stage in Hall 4. The sprawling construction, inspired by the forthcoming Thunderbirds film, is the biggest the firm has ever built in Europe. However, there are two key cars that most visitors want to see.

The Fiesta RS and ST150 are the most eagerly awaited superminis ever showcased by Ford. Inspired by the now legendary XR2 and powerful Fiesta RS Turbo, both make their UK debut in Birmingham this week.

Hall 4, stand 600

MG Rover

It"s crunch time for MG Rover. A year of hostile publicity, including difficult questions about directors" pay, has overshadowed the firm"s successes in 2004. The British Motor Show offers a perfect opportunity to put that right!

Top of the billing are the revised Rover 25 and MG ZR, seen in the metal for the first time at the show. Most of the changes have been made at the front end - where the noses are restyled to mirror MG"s XPower SV supercar, also on display - but the dated interior has been given a significant makeover, too.

Hall 9, stand 140

Mercedes SLR

Arguably one of the most impressive supercars of recent times, the McLaren-developed Mercedes SLR might look a bit like a beefed-up SL - but there"s a lot more to it than that.

If you are lucky enough to get up close, you"ll notice that, despite the model"s race car origins, the vehicle offers tremendous luxury. Inside, rather than providing a stripped-out cabin, McLaren and Mercedes have fitted a bespoke, leather-wrapped interior.

While purists will argue that a successor to the iconic McLaren F1 of the Nineties should be a more focused driving tool, the cruising ability of the SLR makes it equally impressive and far more versatile. Maybe that will help potential buyers justify the н‚бЈ275,000 price...

Hall 6, stand 130

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If you"re travelling to the show by train, parts of the line will be shut due to maintenance work. For more information call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk