Detroit 2011 featured some great new cars that are tantalisingly close to production. Here are our favourites, along with an idea of when you can get behind the wheel for yourself.
BMW 1 Series M Coupé Price: £39,900 On sale: May 2011
BMW knew it was onto a winner with the 1 Series M Coupé, and so has dragged out its launch across months and months. Detroit finally saw its official public debut, and despite the long lead time we're still massively excited about driving the production model. Sadly, only 450 of the 335bhp twin-turbo coupé will come to the UK, and most of them are probably already sold. Hurry into a BMW dealer if you're interested.
BMW 6 Series Convertible Price: £60,000 (approx.) On sale: March 2011
Even though the BMW 6 Series Convertible hits showrooms three months before the 1 Series M Coupé, the company is yet to tell us how much it costs. It's also unusual in that it comes out before the new 6 Series Coupé. BMW says it has the highest ever standard spec on a 6 Series, thus pitching the car as a big, luxury cruiser rather than an open top sports car. Still, the 650i hits 62mph in five seconds flat so it's no slouch.
Audi A6 Price: From £30,000 On sale: January 2011 (deliveries spring)
Exciting? Probably not. But there's an awful lot going for the new Audi A6, which offers luxury and refinement touching on the A8 limo's, but at a significantly reduced price. At the same time, the 2.0-litre TDI version returns 57.7mpg, and there's a petrol-electric hybrid model on the way too (also on show for the first time in Detroit).
Hyundai Veloster Price: From £16,000 On sale: Summer 2011
This is by no means a certainty, but it's all but confirmed that Hyundai wants to turn around the Veloster concept this year. The coupé has the VW Scirocco and Renault Mégane Coupé squarely in its sights. You can see how: it mixes hatchback practicality with sharp looks and a wacky edge thanks to the strange side doors (one on the driver's side, two opposite). It will also debut Hyundai's first twin-clutch automatic transmission, and there'll be a 200bhp range topper. Nice.
Chevrolet Sonic Price: From £9,000 On sale: May 2011
As it happens, when we get the Chevrolet Sonic in the UK it will actually be called the Aveo; Chevrolet might be following Ford's lead in 'globalising' its most popular models, but it has also taken the decision to name its supermini differently in Europe and America. Shame, because we quite like the name Sonic. Detroit's show model is powered by a big 1.8-litre petrol engine, and Chevy is boasting of Corvette-inspired engineering. It bodes well, but most UK buyers will take a 1.2-litre petrol or 1.3-litre diesel, thanks.
