While there were plenty of concept cars to enjoy at the Detroit motor show, the focus of most manufacturers was on showing us their newest production models. The first show of the year has given buyers a look at what the next 12 months holds for the new car market, and it looks very exciting indeed.
Here are Autocar's picks of the top five production cars at the show.
One of the most anticipated new cars in recent memory, the new C-class made its world debut on the eve of the Detroit motor show. The new C-class brings with it a new look insde and out, a 100kg weight reduction and a new range of engines which are more efficient than ever before. Our first ride in the car reveals it's better than the outgoing model in almost every way, too.
Another attention-grabbing design came in the form of the latest Corvette C7 Z06, and updated form of the Corvette C7. Powered by a 6.2-litre V8 engine with upwards of 625bhp and 635lb ft of torque, this generation of Z06 comes with a new removable roof, and an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Many were surprised by the new Porsche 911 Targa's classic roof design, but that's most likely what Porsche intended. The car has been sculpted to evoke the memory of the 1967 original, with a large glass convex rear screen folding back to allow the roof to fold into the boot. The latest Targa comes with the same range of naturally aspirated flat-six petrol engine as the regular 911, and is on sale now with prices starting at £86,281.
When the original Lexus RC coupé concept was shown in Tokyo late last year, the rumour mill went into overdrive to imagine whether Lexus would give it the F treatment. Prayers were answered in Detroit, with the wraps finally coming off the new RC-F. Lexus is planning to pitch the 450bhp-plus coupé against the BMW M4 when it goes on sale, and comes loaded with plenty of clever engineering, including a 5.0-litre V8 engine, which switches combustion cycles depending on load.
The 2015 Ford F150 pick-up is perhaps an unlikely entrant on this list, but as America's best-selling truck, the latest F150 has a lot to live up to. Ford has updated the car with an all-new steel frame and a new aluminium-alloy body, which has dropped the kerb weight by some 318kg. Add to that a new 2.7-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine and new convenience features, such as a 360-degree camera, and the new F150 makes a compelling case for itself.
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