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Four big new car launches will dominate the London motor show next week – but there’s plenty of other stuff that’s worth looking at.
The new Vauxhall Insignia is the biggest launch of the event, with the Mondeo-fighting family saloon set to dramatically improve on the outgoing Vectra. We’ve already had a sneak preview of Vauxhall’s new family motor and we know that its interior has the class-leading Monde...Read the full article

I can't wait - this is going to be even bigger than 2006 - and quite a bit bigger. And it's only days away! Shame on BMW, Audi, Volkswagen & Skoda for not turning up (and the others)! All I can say is that they're seriously missing out - look at the performance BMW put on in 2006 with their stand!!! They're making a mistake, and missing out. I'm going to enjoy the show immensely this year. And I think the stands will be a lot braver, too.

What a waste of time. The only significant event is the next Vectra (I preferred that name - Insignia sound like a cheap aftershave from Wilkinsons)

I am sure it will all be very glittery and all that but the thought of trolling around there all day then facing the trek out of our beloved capital, and I know that area well, is about as appealing as a dinner party with Ken Livingstone.

As to the big German (inc Skoda in reality) brands not turning up, well says it all doesn't it? The motorshow attending car enthusiast already knows there are wiser and wider choices out there. The badge-is-all buying sheep will be ticking the 'order now' boxes on their company car scheme sites anyway, so why bother with all that waxing and shipping of the same old metal?

Like the English football team - this is another enigma that needs scrapping quietly and with dignity.

 I actually have a BRILLIANT idea. Why don't the manufacturers club together and hire a cross channel ferry. Set up the huge car decks as a car show and travel it around the country so all can see, it could even go over to europe and exhibit there in a big circuit?

 

The Apprentice:

I actually have a BRILLIANT idea. Why don't the manufacturers club together and hire a cross channel ferry. Set up the huge car decks as a car show and travel it around the country so all can see, it could even go over to europe and exhibit there in a big circuit?

That idea actually comes under the category of "pisspoor'. Ferries are the skankiest, pikiest, most lower class method of transport than anyone could be associated with. Overpriced moving car parks which stink. The only remaining form of transport which considers formica amongst its principal construction materials and which counts a greasy "full English" as its best possible dish. A car show on a ferry with vomit. BRILLIANT. Now, if you had mentioned the word "Cunard" then you would have been talking.

Personally I’m going on Wednesday and I can’t wait. The 2006 show was brilliant, not just for the cars on show but for all the experiences. Driving an MX-5 and RX-8 round a (tiny) track, having a ride round the off-road demo course, and the taster test drives around the arena (I had a go in an Astra Twin-Top, Civic, Saab 93 & Prius). This time I’m going to make a bee-line for the Mazda challenge again, and the Westfield drift experience. Great chance to get up close to some new cars too, even if they have been seen at other motor shows before it’ll still be the first time I’m seeing them. Funny how different manufacturers have different attitudes though. I was given a very stern look for opening the door on an £80,000 Aston Martin and told very firmly not to get in, but I was allowed to play around all I liked in a £250,000 Bentley, fiddling with all the switches and raising and lowering the roof.The motor theatre was a little disappointing – watching a bunch of cars doughnuting and drifting is only interesting for so long, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed the day and I’m really looking forward to this one.

 

I'm going on Thursday, and I, too, cannot wait. I've been attending Motor Shows since 1996 - and I've been to every one since. 2006 was a great show, even if the Motor Theatre was a little odd, (Honda's looks better this year) and the stands were overall quite small (apart from Ford, MINI and BMW). However, this year looks a lot bigger - with Peugeot pulling out what looks to be a particularly ambitious stand. Ford are going even bigger with theirs, too, and there are more and more new cars of which many in the UK will have their first chance to see, including me. I really, really cannot wait. The atmosphere of Motor Shows is unbeatable! Can't wait.