FLEET managers will gain a tantalising glimpse of cars for the next millennium at the 1998 British International Motor Show. An entire hall is to be devoted to concept vehicles, promoting the environmentally friendly message of the Government's recent transport white paper.

The Concept Cars of the Next Millennium exhibition, sponsored by the AA, will take place in the new Hall 20, which is still under construction at the Birmingham venue. The show, which runs from October 21 until November 1, will this year see the public launch of 10 vehicles - including the Rover R40, Jaguar S-type and Lexus IS 200 - a record for the event. Tight secrecy revolves around the R40, the replacement for the manufacturer's 600 and 800 ranges and the Jaguar S-Type.

To accommodate the concept exhibition, and an off-road experience in one of the halls, the show is expanding from the 55,000 square metres it covered in 1996 to more than 75,000 square metres this year. Another new feature for the show will be the launch of the motor show's own website, providing pictures and up-to-date information on launches and appearances.