There are pop stars, Olympic gold medallists, TV personalities, dancing 
 girls and glitz and glamour by the bucket load all battling for 
 attention.

 But the real stars are the cars. And with a record number of 69 vehicles 
 making their first appearance in the UK, and more than 1,000 cars on 
 display in total, there is a whole galaxy to choose from.

 They range from the wild and whacky, the futuristic, the svelte and 
 sexy, to the family vehicle and the repmobile.

 Boasting its largest ever stand, Ford has four UK debutants, including 
 the long-awaited all-new Ford Mondeo.

 Certain to draw a crowd will be the fleet of new Minis, including Mini 
 Coopers, which are displayed to the British public for the first time at 
 the Show. The new Mini and Mini Cooper are due to go on sale next summer 
 when at least 100,000 Minis will be built annually in Oxford.

 Vauxhall's UK debutants are the Corsa and the Vivaro.  Echoing a timely 
 note at this year's Show, the company promises lower running costs.

 Pride of place on Honda's platform will be the new generation Civic 
 which, its makers say, will be the most significant in nearly three 
 decades of the model's history.  The new Civic is to be built at the 
 company's Swindon factory.

 Always a draw at the Motor Show are the concept cars and this year's 
 visitors will have plenty to choose from.

 Just across from the new Minis, which were based on a concept shown at 
 Frankfurt three years ago, is German giant BMW.

 The Z9 Convertible concept car, first seen by the world just three weeks 
 ago in Paris, and the 750hL, the German marque's zero-emissions car 
 powered by liquid hydrogen, will attract many enthusiasts to Bavarian's 
 stand.

 Nissan is also unveiling two concept cars boasting advanced technology 
 throughout, which they hope will indicate the direction that future 
 production models will take.

 Peugeot reaffirms the importance of fuel efficiency in concept cars' 
 technologies with its Promethee, housing the company's HDi unit with 
 particulate filter, making it one of the cleanest diesel engines in the 
 UK.

 Far from just a concept car is Toyota's new Prius, the world's first 
 mass production hybrid car, which can run on either its highly 
 efficient, low emissions 1.5 litre petrol engine, its electric motor, or 
 a combination of both.

 One new car debutant expected to attract admirers is the Citroen C5.  
 Launched as a next generation upper mid-sector saloon, the C5 will have 
 a considerable presence on Citroen's platform, standing 76 millimetres 
 taller than the Xantia, and providing a wealth of technology from 
 computer controlled suspension to voice controlled satellite navigation.

 Lexus provides three debutants to the UK luxury car market - the RX300 
 SUV and the V8 powered GS430, both on sale from the start of the show, 
 and the marque's new flagship, the LS430, deliveries of which begin 
 shortly after the Show. SEAT's UK debutant will be the new Arosa, with a 
 100bhp 1.4 16V Sport topping the range.

 Mazda will be taking orders for their first sports utility vehicle, the 
 five-seater Tribute, when it is unveiled at the Show.  The new model, 
 with rotary blade coupling providing instant four-wheel drive, will take 
 the firm into new territory, and goes on sale early in 2001.

 Hyundai's first ever four-wheel drive vehicle, the Santa Fe, makes its 
 UK debut and will be sold in 2.4 and 2.7 V6 versions for around GBP16-
 18,000.

 Also making its UK debut on the Hyundai stand will be the mid-range 
 Elantra, available, for the first time, as a five door hatchback as well 
 as four door saloon, and powered by 1.6 and 2 litre engines.

 Mitsubishi has enlisted the help of cult television show Big Brother's 
 first and last evictees, Sada Walkington and Craig Phillips for its 
 launches.

 Brother winner Craig is being given the keys to a limited edition of the 
 Animal L2000 Double Cab Pick-up being unveiled at the Show, while Sada 
 has taken delivery of the new 4x4 'about town' Shogun Pinin which makes 
 its UK debut.

 Daihatsu promises a more powerful and more frugal 1.0 litre supermini 
 when it unveils its new Sirion range, while Daewoo's 'son of Mirae' - 
 the Musiro - makes its world debut at the Motor Show.

 The following 69 models are the new car debuts to the British 
 International Motor Show 2000: