Currently reading: Best of the Detroit motor show 2015 - our star cars

Of all the concepts, facelifts and production models on display in Detroit, there were a few that stood out. Here's our pick of the best of the show

A stunning new Ford GT, a stylish Honda NSX and Jaguar and Bentley's SUV names revealed… the Detroit motor show had it all. But of all the cars on display, some stood out more than others for the Autocar team…

Ford GT - Mark Tisshaw

Wow. Just wow. What with most cars being revealed well in advance of the show, and those that aren’t leaking out online, it’s rare these days for a genuine surprise at a motor show. The Ford GT was a surprise, though. It looks incredible, has the tech to match a Ferrari and, crucially, heralds a whole new era of performance Fords, rather than being just a one-off.

Jaguar F-Pace - Steve Cropley

My Detroit star is Jag's sports crossover, the F-Pace, newly confirmed for production but not actually present at the show. They're too busy productionising it to bother showing the C-X17 concept that spawned it. But it's likely to become the biggest-selling Jaguar yet, mainly due to US demand. In Detroit, that mattered.

Chevrolet Volt - Jim Holder

Fewer battery cells, greater range: technology has triumphed again, and the reasons to oppose electrification are being swept away before our eyes.

Honda NSX - Andrew Frankel

With the showing of the final production version, Honda appears to have delivered fully on the promise of the NSX concept. The production car is even better looking than previous concepts and is full of relevant yet revolutionary technology. Twenty-five years after the previous NSX was born, Honda could be about to move the supercar boundaries all over again.

Infiniti Q60 - Stan Papior

Is this Infiniti's best-looking car yet? I'd say so. It's good enough to offer real temptation to those bored with the predictability of a BMW 4-series or Audi A5. Let's just hope that it comes to the UK and is unlike other Infinitis in being as good to drive as it is to look at.

Shelby-Mustang GT350R - Darren Moss

It's the ultimate version of my favourite muscle car. I can't wait to see how a 493bhp Mustang performs on the road, but if the sound from its exhausts as it was driven on to the Detroit stage was anything to go by, the answer should be 'pretty sensational'.

Hyundai Santa Cruz - Matt Burt

Setting aside all the guff about the 'urban adventurers' whom Hyundai reckons would buy this car should it make production, I find the idea of the conceptual crossover truck appealing. There's more than a hint of Aussie ute about it, and it's certainly more interesting than conventional slab-sided US trucks. It's precisely the kind of edgy vehicle the ambitious Korean company should be thinking about building.

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Volvo S60 Cross Country - Nigel Donnelly

Choosing a humdrum Volvo saloon may seem a little limp, but in a market where the faint whiff of SUV starts a stampede, I reckon this could start a trend. Rugged-looking executive saloons could be a niche too far, but this is the best-looking S60 in the range and I reckon it may just work.  

Chevrolet Bolt - Tom Webster

The second Chevrolet on this list is not as eye-catching as some other cars at Detroit, despite its burnt orange paint job. It's the little things that make the Chevrolet Bolt SUV concept an intriguing one. A claimed range of 200 miles for an electric car is not setting any new records; the Tesla Model S claims up to 310 miles. But it is the rumoured price of less than £20,000 that would really set it apart; that is just over a third of the price of the 85kWh Tesla.

Local Motors 3D printed car - Ben Summerell-Youde

Local Motors has shown off the world's first 3D printed car, and what excites me is less the car itself but more the fact that BAAM (big area additive manufacturing) and 3D printing technology is becoming more viable and affordable. Could we soon be designing our own cars and printing them in our own garages? I hope so.

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SKH 14 January 2015

It probably wouldn't make it

It probably wouldn't make it to the UK or Europe, (if it even enters production) but it boggles my mind that none of the UK online magazines have mentioned the beautiful Buick Avenir concept. It's based on the bones of the forthcoming Cadillac CT6, and was designed by Holden, so that alone should be enough to create some interest.
Straff 14 January 2015

SKH wrote:It probably wouldn

SKH wrote:

It probably wouldn't make it to the UK or Europe, (if it even enters production) but it boggles my mind that none of the UK online magazines have mentioned the beautiful Buick Avenir concept. It's based on the bones of the forthcoming Cadillac CT6, and was designed by Holden, so that alone should be enough to create some interest.

I agree - it's a lovely looking thing

SKH 14 January 2015

Straff wrote:SKH wrote:It

Straff wrote:
SKH wrote:

It probably wouldn't make it to the UK or Europe, (if it even enters production) but it boggles my mind that none of the UK online magazines have mentioned the beautiful Buick Avenir concept. It's based on the bones of the forthcoming Cadillac CT6, and was designed by Holden, so that alone should be enough to create some interest.

I agree - it's a lovely looking thing

Not lovely enough for Autocar I guess. From what I've read at many sites, this is the car that everyone is talking about even if it is just a concept. I love the new Jag XE, but look at the level of competence and beautiful styling that went into the design of the Avenir's interior and it looks like the Jag's designesr phoned it by comparison!

Lanehogger 14 January 2015

F-Pace? Are your serious Steve?

The front cover of today's copy of Autocar is going mad for the Jaguar F-Pace, a car that we've already seen before in concept form. And yet the undoubted star of the Detroit Motor Show, the Ford GT, is mentioned a few pages in, despite it and the revealing of the F-Pace's name being unveiled at the same time.
And that the F-Pace is Mr Cropley's star car is no surprise whatsoever, but the fact that he's nominated a car which hasn't even been revealed in production form, wasn't at the show in concept form but has somehow got his vote by virtue of the fact it's a Jaguar and it's name has been revealed it just laughable. This more than anything just backs up many comments from to many readers that Autocar is becoming no more than a marketing tool for JLR. In my opinion, Autocar is losing its credibility and ability to remain neutral.
I wonder if the staff at Autocar were given Jaguar-branded toilet paper for Xmas to use when they see or hear the word Jaguar.......
superstevie 15 January 2015

Lanehogger wrote: And yet the

Lanehogger wrote:

And yet the undoubted star of the Detroit Motor Show, the Ford GT, is mentioned a few pages in, despite it and the revealing of the F-Pace's name being unveiled at the same time

My guess would be to do with editing. The GT wasn't announced in time for there to be a large piece written up on it. Whereas, I bet they've had the F-Pace stuff prepared for months, waiting on the name to be released.

I agree to the GT was the star car, it looks fantastic. The Volt, while techincally an improvement, looks very bland compared the original. The Bolt would be great if they get it out for 20k. That would be a lot less than a BMW i3, even before the government rebate

GeToD 14 January 2015

F-Pace?

I am all for hyping the home team but picking the naming of a vehicle as a BEST at an AUTO SHOW is a bit much. Save it for when it arrives, as I assume it will be annointed as the second coming by some members of the press. Its not as if there was a lack of new ACTUAL vehicles to choose from.