The air is crisp, the Snoreastercanepocalypse has become a traveling road show, and most of the automotive industry is headed to Detroit for a couple of days of mixing fantasy, reality, and the cynicism that passes for a critical eye with enough booze, pork fat, and product promises to float an oil rig to the moon.

Let's get excited!

But seriously, this year's Detroit Auto Show, which starts Monday, January 14, is shaping up to be one of the best in the past half-decade, with a bounty of products that, despite the economy--or in some cases, because of it--have somehow made it to fruition.

The annual show in Detroit is also the place where the global automotive community comes together for the first time each year, all hoping to find out what the major automakers have in store for us over the next 12 months.

We'll be celebrating this automotive awesomeness (and meh-ing the mediocrity) live from the show floor, with our force of editors, photographers, and video guys, bringing you the latest as it happens.

Last year there were a total 38 world premieres at Detroit, and this year’s expected to be even bigger. Some of the highlights include the all-new Lexus IS, Infiniti Q50 (the replacement for the G37) as well as the updated Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mercedes-Benz E Class range. Oh, and a brand new generation of the Corvette.

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect.

And don't forget to bookmark our dedicated Detroit Auto Show hub, as well as follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates.


2014 Chevrolet Corvette (C7) prototype in Gran Turismo 5

2014 Chevrolet Corvette (C7) prototype in Gran Turismo 5

First up, the car everyone is looking forward to most: the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. The seventh generation of an American icon, sporting a new LT1 engine, this seemingly inexhaustible inspiration for endless cliches also just happens to be one of the best sports cars for the money, anywhere in the world--or it has been so far. Can Chevy hit the right mix of looks, performance, and price to keep the Corvette's legend alive? We'll find out Sunday at 7 pm Eastern.

2014 Mercedes-Benz E Class models

2014 Mercedes-Benz E Class models

Next, we have the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E Class family. From the sedan and wagon to the coupe and convertible all the way to the new E63 AMG with 4Matic, the whole group should be there. Incidentally, the new E63 AMG with 4Matic and a new S-Model trim offers up a total of 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to accelerate it from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, making this the fastest four-door in production.

2014 Audi RS 5 Cabriolet

2014 Audi RS 5 Cabriolet

Audi will be braving the cold, too, with the North American debuts of the 2014 RS 5 Cabriolet and the 2014 R8 family. We've already had some wheel time with the '14 R8, and we can confirm: it's pretty awesome. We expect the same of the RS 5 considering how good its hard-top cousin was.

2014 Acura MDX Prototype teaser image

2014 Acura MDX Prototype teaser image

The current MDX is on its seventh model year, priming it for replacement with a fresh version. That fresh version will be previewed in Detroit as the 2014 Acura MDX prototype, a teaser of which is shown here. The new show car will give us a good idea as to what the production 2014 MDX will look like when it goes on sale later this year.

Teaser for 2014 Cadillac ELR

Teaser for 2014 Cadillac ELR

Back to American brands, Cadillac's 2014 ELR will also finally shed both its camouflage and its (Converj) concept status in Detroit. Packaging range-extended EV roots in an elegant, modern Cadillac coupe body, the ELR promises doses of technology and style previously unheard of in its expected price range. This one is not-so-secretly on our must-drive list for the coming year.

Teaser for 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan

Teaser for 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan

For something completely different, Infiniti's 2014 Q50 sedan will also make its debut, launching with it the dramatic and slightly confusing (at least for now) renaming of the brand's entire portfolio. While we're not too keen on the nomenclatural neologisms, we are looking forward to the car itself, as the previous G37 was one of the best values in the luxury sport sedan field.

2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport

Going up against the Infiniti Q50 will be a brand new generation of the Lexus IS, which adopts aggressive new looks, a similar powertrain lineup to the outgoing model, and a driver-focused interior inspired by the design from the Lexus LFA supercar.  Surprisingly, Lexus is even hinting that the car could spawn a new-generation of the IS SportCross wagon first launched a decade ago.
North American Car of the Year logo

North American Car of the Year logo

And, let's not forget, the winners of the North American Car & Truck/Utility of the Year will also be announced at the Detroit show. The finalists for the car category include the Cadillac ATS, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord, while the trucks/utilities fighting for the top honor are the Ram 1500, Ford C-Max, and Mazda CX-5.

A wide range of other cars and concepts will also be making their debuts at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Head over to page two to see more, and don't forget about our one-stop shop for all of the latest, up-to-the-minute Detroit coverage: our 2013 Detroit Auto Show page.

BMW 4-Series Coupe concept

BMW 4-Series Coupe concept

BMW will also be launching a new name on a relatively familiar face, with the 4-Series Coupe Concept. Filling the role once held by the 3-Series Coupe, the new 4-Series helps get the bread-and-butter model line into alignment with the latest evolution of the brand's naming strategy--and looks might sharp in the process. Eventually, the coupe will also  be joined by a new 4-Series Convertible, sporty X4 coupe crossover and even an M4 instead of the previous M3 Coupe and Convertible.

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible Preview

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2013 Dodge Dart GT Preview

Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept

2014 Volkswagen Touareg V-6 Models Get Sporty R-Line Trim

One of the most important model reveals in Detroit this week will be that of the facelifted 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

As part of the facelift, Jeep will tweak the styling by incorporating a new front fascia with revised LED-accented headlights, as well as a less ostentatious grille.

The update also heralds the launch of a new diesel option on the latest Grand Cherokee as well as a sweet eight-speed automatic transmission made standard across the range.

Nissan's Resonance Crossover Concept

Nissan's Resonance Crossover Concept

Nissan will preview a future crossover model with a concept car dubbed the Resonance. It’s not clear yet what the new model is that Nissan is hinting at, though the current thought is either the next generation of the Rogue or Murano crossovers. Aside from a single teaser image, Nissan is only saying that the Resonance is the latest in a series of “envelope-pushing” crossover designs from the Japanese automaker.

Toyota Teases Sporty Furia Concept Ahead Of 2013 Detroit Auto Show: Video

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Hyundai's HCD-14 Concept, to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show

Hyundai's HCD-14 Concept, to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show

Hyundai is planning a swoopy concept of its own and has been kind enough to drop a few teasers. Called the HCD-14, the new concept is said to presage the future design direction of the brand's luxury offerings such as the next generation of the Genesis and Equus sedans.

Chrysler Celebrates Motown Spirit With Special 300: Video

MINI Lays Out 2013 Detroit Auto Show Plans

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe

BMW recently revealed its new 2014 M6 Gran Coupe, which debuts in Detroit ahead of a sales launch this summer. Like the latest versions of the M5 and M6 coupe and convertible duo, with which it shares a platform, the M6 Gran Coupe follows a familiar path of performance tuning. Up front is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine rated at 560 horsepower and powering the rear wheels.

Detroit Auto Show To Again Feature 'The Gallery' Of Luxury Cars

2014 BMW Z4 Preview: Fresh Looks, More ConnectedDrive

That’s it for now, but remember to tune in from Sunday night for all the breaking news and photos direct from the halls of Detroit’s Cobo Arena. And remember, you can catch in-depth coverage of the show via our dedicated show hub.