1. Ford Focus RS | What Car?
Okay, so it's hardly a practical family runabout, and most of us won't be rushing to a dealership to buy one - but we'll all be wishing we could.
Even the merest glimpse at the lurid green bodywork confirms that the RS is a brash beast, and the performance figures whet the appetite even further. In a show that lacked pizzazz, the RS was a beacon of excitement.
The front-wheel-drive machine is powered by a turbocharged 296bhp 2.5-litre engine with 302lb ft of pulling power.
The steering is sharper, too, and the traction control system has been refined to allow more spirited driving. The brakes have been uprated as well.
Some final words of caution: the model on display at the show isn't ready for production, and there are expected to be some final tweaks made before the design is finalised.
However, as long as public reaction is positive, that green paintwork will be available as an option.
No details on the Focus RS's pricing will be announced until next year, but it is expected to cost around 25,000 when it goes on sale in the late spring.