The Christmas decorations are packed away, the new year resolutions are still being kept (maybe?!) and the festive break now feels like a distant memory, so it’s probably a good time for the first motor show of the year.
That honour always falls to Detroit, which will stage the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) next week.
Its US rooting means that many cars in attendance may only be available stateside, but there’s still plenty of relevance to UK motorists – here are the key new cars debuting in Detroit you can expect to see on British roads some time soon.
BMW X2
We already know a lot about BMW’s forthcoming compact SUV, but this will be the first time the public will actually get a chance to see it in the metal.
Slotting in nicely between the X1 and X3, the X2 uses the same UKL2 platform as the Mini Countryman and will target younger buyers with a funky design inside and out. Engine options will include four-pot diesel and petrols, but there’s talk of a plug-in hybrid also becoming available eventually.
Keep an eye out for it from March.
Hyundai Veloster
This 2+1 door coupe didn’t get much love from Brits first time round, but that hasn’t deterred Hyundai from putting together a second-generation model.
The South Korean car maker probably doesn’t care what the UK thinks of the mk2 Veloster; it has been developed with its domestic market in mind, so yeah, say what you want, Hyundai doesn’t care.
Volkswagen Jetta
The Jetta compact saloon dropped off the UK range some time ago, but VW has worked up a design sketch for a seventh-generation model, because like Hyundai, they’re doing what they want.
Infiniti Q Inspiration concept car
Nissan’s premium-focused offshoot has found some success with the A-Class-based Q30 hatchback and it will aim to impress once more with the Q Inspiration.
There’s plenty riding on it because it is the first project to be overseen by new design director Karim Habib, formerly the design chief at BMW. The next line of Infiniti models will draw influence from the Q Inspiration, hence the name.
This teaser shot is the only glimpse we’ve had of the four-door coupe so far, but an all-electric powertrain is anticipated to feature.
Jeep Cherokee
The design team behind the new Wrangler, revealed late last year, did pretty much nothing to reinvent the bolshy offroader and it looks like that hands-off approach has been adopted for the facelifted Cherokee too.
While the design is more of the same, Jeep has said it will come with new more fuel-efficient engines.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Speaking of bolshy offroaders, they don’t come any more raucous and intimidating than the G-Class, which has been completely reworked from the wheels up.
It has been built on a new platform in a bid to improve practicality and comfort, while the interior is more modern and spacious.
Which Detroit debut car are you looking forward to seeing on UK roads? Tell us down there in the comments.
For more articles like this, receive our weekly e-newsletter, including partner deals and all things motoring, register your email below.
Please note: You cannot subscribe to Smart-Motoring unless you put a tick in the checkbox below to indicate have read and agreed to our privacy policy.
[…] already told you about the most UK-relevant cars set to appear at the show, but now the doors are open and everything has been revealed, we can tell you more about the most […]