Graham King takes a look at the most interesting new concepts unveiled at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show
Something a bit different this week. Here is a run down of the most significant cars unveiled at this week's Detroit Auto Show and whether or not you should care about them.
Porsche 911 Targa
What is it? The latest 911 with a big sunroof. A very clever big sunroof that folds away, but a big sunroof none the less.
Should I care? Not unless you're a dentist who is inexplicably afraid of the proper 911 Cabriolet.
Volvo Concept XC Coupe
What is it? A big coupe/SUV crossover thing.
Should I care? Yes. The Concept XC is a showcase for Volvo's new styling themes and gives some big clues to what the next XC90 will look like.
Kia GT4 Stinger
What is it? A turbocharged, 315hp, rear-wheel-drive Toyota GT86 rival.
Should I care? Probably. Kia may end building something like the Stinger if there is demand for it, but how much of the concept's styling would survive?
Ford F150
What is it? The latest, mostly aluminium version of Ford's evergreen pick-up.
Should I care? Not really. It will no doubt carry on as the best-selling vehicle of any sort in the USA, but it's pretty much irrelevant over here.
Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge
What is it? Infiniti's new M3/C63 AMG rival.
Should I care? Absolutely. Infiniti may not have made much impact in the UK over the last couple of years, but this could change that: it will have a forced induction 'V' engine with over 500bhp. Does that sound like a GT-R engine to anyone?
Chrysler 200
What is it? The latest version of Chrysler's often woeful mid-size saloon.
Should I care? Debateably. We are unlikely to see it in the UK as it is, but since Fiat has now bought-out Chrysler entirely, we might see its platform.
Audi Allroad Shooting Brake
What is it? Small coupe/SUV crossover thing.
Should I care? Probably. Audi will introduce a small SUV below the existing Q3 in 2016, so this could be some sort of preview of that. But is it just me who is seeing the next Audi TT in the front?
Nissan Sport Sedan Concept
What is it? A mid-size, sporty saloon.
Should I care? Maybe. Nissan gave up selling conventional saloons in the UK years ago, but it does showcase Nissan's future styling direction.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z06
What is it? The steroidal version of Chevy's 7th generation icon.
Should I care? Ludicrous power with a proper manual gearbox in a car this sexy? I should say so.
Subaru WRX STi
What is it? The latest Scooby rally car for the road.
Should I care? Yes, but can you be bothered? It's hardly pretty (but then the WRX never has been) and Subaru has been out of the World Rally Championship since the end of 2008, so do past glories really still stick? The WRX STi has to stand on its own four wheels.
Toyota FT-1
What is it? Show stopping super-coupe concept.
Should I care? Good God, yes! Everyone is referring to it as the Supra, so let's hope that if we see the name return it's attached to a car that looks like this, that can give the GT-R a run for its money.
