Top 10 hottest new cars from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show

Top 10 hottest new cars from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show

Journalists pick the North American International Auto Show's Top 10 new cars and concepts.

At the media preview days on Jan. 11 and 12, 2010, for the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIS) in Detroit, MI, more than 5,000 journalists were on hand to cover the press conference, new-car reveals and concept-car introductions. Emerging from a record-breaking year for auto industry headlines, much of the media buzz from the show regarded the sheer lack of volume of vehicle debuts compared with years' past.

Nonetheless, a variety of interesting concepts and upcoming production vehicles broke cover at this year's Detroit Auto Show, giving shape to the future into which the auto industry is headed. After media preview days came to a close, the editors of kbb.com pooled their collective wisdom and opinions to rank their Top 10 new cars and concepts coming out of the Detroit Auto Show this year.

"After the most amazing year most of us auto industry veterans have ever experienced, including a complete overhaul of the domestic landscape, bankruptcies, executive turnover and an ever-changing product focus, this year's Detroit Auto Show had a completely different vibe from last year's show," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

"No one thinks the industry is out of the woods yet, but there was a collective sense of renewed energy to move forward. The key emerging trends involve alternative-powered vehicles and in-vehicle technology, but there's no shortage of interesting new conventional vehicles. So, it was a pleasure to pick our Top 10."

For commentary and to learn the reasoning behind each of these picks, visit www.kbb.com/2010DetroitTop10Cars.

CarTest.ca. Posted Jan. 14, 2010.

10. Detroit Showcar Audi e-tron