2016 LA motor show - our star cars

Matt Burt - Porsche 911 RSR

New GTE racing car stretches the limits of how aggressive the Porsche 911 can look to sensational limits, evoking memories of the much-loved GT1. Porsche has put this all-new GTE racing car through more than 20,000 miles of testing since May, proving it means business against Ford, Ferrari et al at Daytona and Le Mans in 2017.

Mark Tisshaw - Mini Countryman

I get the point of the Mini Countryman and completely understand its existence, even if I'm no great fan of it. However, such a car is crucial because it brings in the customers and profits to allow the smaller, funkier, faster, more specialist models in the Mini range to survive and thrive.

Rachel Burgess - Mercedes-AMG E63

What’s not to like about a four-door saloon capable of hitting 62mph in 3.4sec, with an optional drift mode? The E63 AMG is the fastest-accelerating model yet from Mercedes’ performance brand, and I for one, cannot wait to hoon it.

Darren Moss - Mazda CX-5

Mazda has never been one to shy away from bold design, and the new Mazda CX-5, with its bluff front grille and aggressive stance, certainly looks bold enough. The current CX-5 is one of the world’s best-selling SUVs, so aspirations for this new version couldn’t be higher. We need it to do well, too, because if the CX-5 proves popular, Mazda might look a little closer at that rotary-engined sports car…

Sam Sheehan - Mazda RT24-P

Thanks to new rules in America’s IMSA sports car championship, Mazda has been able to give its 2017 challenger an injection of Kodo design. We won’t know what impact the car’s familiar face will have on its performance, but doesn’t it look great? It’s instantly recognisable as a Mazda, and that should do plenty to help the Japanese marque boost its sporting image in the States. World Endurance Championship, take note!

Jimi Beckwith – Mercedes-Maybach S650 Cabriolet