Detroit motor show 2014: Best of the best

The Detroit motor show is the first major car show of the year and it’s where manufacturers get to showcase their new ideas, designs and predictions, as well as set the tone for the rest of the year. There wasn't an overriding theme in 2014 but there was strong and musky scent of 'affordable performance' in the air.

One of the biggest and no doubt most-anticipated reveals (especially for the locals) of the show was the new Chevy Corvette Z06. Boasting a supercharged V8 screamer and with the option of an eight-speed automatic gearbox, this is arguably the best Corvette yet and is expected to demolish many rivals in the acceleration and handling stakes.

With Ferrari-rivalling performance for a fraction of the price, it could raise a few eyebrows with Nurburgring lap times in future and become a must-have alternative the usual exotica. Now if only we could get our hands on it down under...

Subaru was on hand to officially reveal its next generation WRX STI and, after many leaks leading up to Detroit, surprised few. No doubt the car will drive brilliantly like its rally-bred predecessors, and for a price of around $60,000 will shame many more expensive machines.

One of the coolest concept cars at the show was Kia Stinger GT4 Concept, a breathtaking step in the right direction for the up-and-coming Korean manufacturer. Pumping out 235kW to the rear wheels, Kia is looking to take the fight to the wildly popular Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, hoping to build the affordable and compact sportie in the next few years. And really, more competition in the entry-level sports car segment is never a bad thing.

Not to be outdone, BMW was in attendance with the first public reveal of its upcoming performance models, the M3 and M4. Always a benchmark for performance, we can’t wait to see if these new M models, now with twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines, can retain the high standards set by their predecessors.

Lexus meanwhile put BMW on notice, offering up an alternative in its new RC-F coupe. Boasting the most powerful V8 engine Lexus has ever built, the M4 rivalling RC-F pushes out more than 330kW, and is expected to give the BMW M4 coupe a run for its money.

Toyota turned a lot of heads with its radical FT-1 Concept, in an attempt to shake its 'safe' and 'boring' socks-and-sandals image. Taking inspiration from the much beloved Supra and Lexus LFA, this concept has the potential to become Toyota’s next sports car hit, after the untamed success of the Toyota 86.

Another head-turned concept was the originally-named Sports Sedan Concept. A preview of the next-generation Nissan Maxima, the concept car takes styling cues from Nissan's world-beating GT-R. Powered by a 3.5-litre V6, the Sports Sedan Concept also hints at a slightly tangy new design direction for the brand.

Over at the Porsche exhibit, it's hero car was the new 911 Targa. Equipped with a new tricked-out roof (seriously, check out the video!), all-wheel drive and a choice between howling 3.4-litre and a 3.8-litre flat six-cylinder engines, the 911 Targa is expected to be a drop top that goes like stink.

Volvo finally unveiled its Concept XC Coupe in the metal, garnering many accolades and praise. Believed to provide a sneak peek at the next XC90 full-sized SUV, the Volvo prototype won the "Best Concept Car" and "Best use of Color, Graphics and Materials" awards at the 2014 Detroit motor show.

A couple of other cool concepts from the VW Group included the Volkswagen Beetle Dune concept and the Audi Allroad Shooting Brake.

The VW Dune Bug, as some were calling it, has all the looks of an off-road dune buggy, while the Audi concept pumps out 300kW thanks to its three engines hybrid layout and could lead to supercar-rivalling performance with Toyota Prius-like economy. Keep an eye on this one...

MINI was in attendance to take the wraps off its latest flagship, the John Cooper Works Concept. Although dubbed a 'concept' we suspect it is very close to being showroom ready and has the potential to redefine the hot hatch segment.

With over 50 car reveals at the 2014 Detroit motor show, including the next generation Honda Jazz, the new, lighter-weight Ford F-150 pick-up truck and the next Mercedes-Benz C-Class, there's a veritable cornucopia of automotive delights on show.

We couldn’t cover them all here, so if you want more, check out our full coverage of the show at the North American International Auto Show page.