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Our reporters empty their notebooks to round up all the gossip from the recent Detroit motor show

It's a Detroit special this week, as we look at a production-ready concept from Lexus, one from Infiniti that's that not quite there yet and how an Indian car maker could become a big thorn in Fiat Chrysler's side. Throw in some jokes from charismatic Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda and it's almost as if you were at the show yourself...

Supra-hero Toyoda

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda was the undoubted star of the Detroit motor show, delivering a host of classic lines during the Supra press conference. Calling the much-leaked machine “one of the worst-kept secrets in the car industry,” he also said the Supra was “totally lit. According to my son, this means amazing or totally excellent.” 

Big plans for little Jeep

Roxor

Indian firm Mahindra had a stand for the first time, showcasing its locally built Roxar off-roader – the current subject of a legal spat with FCA over its Jeep-based styling. The stand also featured the Detroit-built Marazzo MPV, which is currently sold in India only, although the firm is keen to emphasise that it’s built to “global standards”.

Drop-top drops hints

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Officially, the Lexus LC Convertible unveiled at the Detroit motor show is a concept car, but it looks remarkably close to a production model. The firm’s US boss, David Christ, remained coy about that, saying: “It’s an amazing concept that’s well thought through. It’s well designed, but we’re not announcing any plans just yet.” Expect the production version to go on sale in 2020… 

QX-it stage left

Never work with children, animals or, apparently, concept cars. After much anticipation and a dramatic build-up of music, a technical failure sidelined Infiniti’s QX Inspiration electric car concept on its way onto the stage. The firm’s designer, Karim Habib, gamely talked onlookers around the design features of a car that wasn’t actually there.

Qx inspiration

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Catch up on everything you might have missed from Detroit

Lexus LC Convertible concept to make production in 2020​

Opinion: where does the Supra go from here?​

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Michaemlinson 7 March 2019

Good!!

Toyota executive Akio Toyoda was the undoubted star of the Detroit engine appear, conveying a large group of exemplary lines amid the Supra question and answer session. Calling the much-spilled machine "one of the most exceedingly bad kept mysteries in the vehicle business.Regards,Laustan