This year’s Detroit Motor Show (also know by mid-Western second-hand car dealers as the ‘North American International Auto Show’) had its fair share of top trumps – and here’s six of the best.
1. 2017 Ford GT
Before we even tell you about it, just look at this thing. It’s OK to drool – we won’t tell anybody. The third incarnation of the original Ford GT is here, and its devilish good looks had it stealing the headlines at this year’s show. The car’s design is part retro, part modern day racer: there’s fixed seating with adjustable pedals, a paddle-shifted dual-clutch transmission and an F1-style steering wheel. Under the hood there’s a twin-turbo 3.5 litre V6 engine, and it’s capable of 0-60mph in three seconds and a top speed of 200mph. And, then, of course there’s that body – made from carbon fibre, no less.
2. Infiniti Q60 Concept
Car geeks were buzzing around the show’s Infiniti stand this year, thanks to the super sleek Infiniti Q60. The new car from Nissan’s luxury division is only a concept for now, but the product version promises to take on the same slinky aesthetic, which incorporates barely any flat surfaces or straight lines. Set to go on sale next year, the Q60’s 3.0-litre V6 sets a standard for smaller, more efficient engines. In the looks department, it’s a car of two halves: from the back, the Q60 Concept has similarities with Mercedes S-Class Coupe, while from the front, it has a distinct Jaguar vibe. Not bad company at all.
3. 2016 Acura NSX
It’s been an age in the making, but at this year’s show Acura finally unveiled its long-awaited supercar, the NSX, more than 25 years since Honda’s original was launched. And it was well worth the wait. This fiery red number is a tasty hybrid – powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and three electric motors, it is expected to reach more than 550bhp. Not only is it oozing with intricate design details and state-of the-art tech, its driver-designed cockpit makes this a supercar that you can actually drive around town in. And show off in, obviously.
4. Alfa 4C Spider
The Alfa 4C Spider is one good-looking Italian. When it comes to power and speed, the 4C hasn’t strayed far from the coupé: armed with the same 237bhp four-cylinder turbo petrol as the original, it can hurtle to 62mph in 4.5 sec, while comfortably hitting a cool 155mph flat out. The key difference is the retractable soft-top roof, but it also has carbon fibre rollover bars, new headlights which replace the coupé’s bug-eyed ones, and there's also a new central exhaust system that can be made even more throaty at the push of a button – ideal for letting the neighbours know you’ve arrived home, or for frightening OAPs.
5. Audi Q7
It might not be as flash-looking as many of the other Detroit Motor Show wonders, but Audi’s new crossover has plenty of glitzy interior features, as well as an imposing front grille to keep it looking tough. The dashboard is an impressive feat of design that incorporates some clever tech: there’s a large touchpad on the centre console, dubbed a ‘virtual cockpit’, which allows you to customise the display of your aircraft – sorry car – if you fancy it. There are also two iPad-like tablets for the rear seat which can also be used outside the car. And if you want to actually drive this great beast instead of watching Game of Thrones on your tablet, the 3.0-litre TDI diesel and the 3.0-litre TFSI engine will allow the new Q7 to zoom from 0 to 60 mph in just over six seconds. Fast and clever, just how we like it.
6. Cadillac CTS-V
There is one reason to buy a new Cadillac CTS-V – and we’ll give you a hint; it’s not for its cornering abilities. It is the fastest and most powerful Cadillac ever made, thanks to a whopping 6.2-litre V-8 engine that pushes out 640bhp. Capable of 200mph, it’ll hit 60mph in 3.7 seconds. Added bragging rights include giant Brembo brakes, Magnetic Ride Control and, to keep you firmly in place as you crunch down on that accelerator, a set of bolstered sport seats.
