Top 10 Detroit motor show cars - Introduction

Detroit 2012: There was a palpable sense of optimism in the Cobo halls as the annual January showcase kicked off the new year in style this week.

With a fresh contract to keep the motor show in central Detroit (until 2017), and a more bullish performance from the core American brands, as well as the wider industry, this was the most vibrant North American International Auto Show in recent years.

Who were the star performers, though, and which cars failed to impress ? Here's my personal view on the 10 most important reveals.

John McIlroy, What Car? magazine editor