2016 Detroit auto show reveals

Monday (Australian time) kicked off with the unveiling of a specialised off-roading concept for Volkswagen's Tiguan, which also benefited from the electrified goodies that the carmaker packs into its GTE models.

An anticipated but nonetheless surprising debut followed at the Buick stand, where the Camaro-based Avista coupe concept made its world premiere. Could this be Holden's hotly anticipated new coupe that fans will immediately compare with the Monaro heroes of old?

Mercedes-Benz followed with its all-new E-Class, which brings few surprises on the styling front but packs a mighty haul of futuristic technology. If the C-Class is any indication, this new large premium German will do well in Australia.

At the end of the day, Chrysler gave visitors a nightcap (Detroit time) with its new Pacifica people-mover. In the US, the big van will replace the model we knew as the Grand Voyager, but we're not expecting to see this one in Australia.

A number of other Detroit premieres happened before the show even kicked off, and you can catch those - with links - in the list below.

More unveilings will occur over the coming hours, and CarAdvice has feet on the ground in Detroit to bring you all the news.

Above: Buick Avista concept

Revealed in or ahead of Detroit show

Acura Precision concept - powerful proportions preview new four-door coupe

Audi h-tron quattro SUV - new hydrogen concept revealed in Detroit

BMW M2 - new baby M hero to make its North American debut

Chevrolet Bolt - Australian-designed EV makes second production appearance (CES came first)

Chevrolet Cruze hatch - second public appearance, following CES last week

Chrysler Pacifica - FCA's new people-mover rolls into Town (& Country)

Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew - extra-tough truck shows up

Ford Mondeo facelift - a styling makeover for the Mondeo, known in the US as the Fusion

Infiniti Q50 - upgraded with powerful new turbo engine, will debut in Detroit

Infiniti Q60 - big new coupe ready to take on BMW 4 Series, Lexus RC

Kia Telluride concept - big new SUV concept could rival Mazda CX-9

Lexus LC 500 - production version of popular LF-LC concept revealed at last

Lincoln Continental - Ford's comeback kid for the luxury class shows up

Mercedes-Benz E-Class - we'd seen much already, but Detroit marks its official debut

Mercedes-AMG S 65 Cabriolet - motor show premiere for already revealed super cab

Mercedes-Benz SLC - facelifted SLC revealed this week will make premiere in Detroit

VLF Automotive Force 1 - former Aston designer branches out

Volvo S90 - all-new premium sedan to make motor show premiere in Detroit

Above: the newly facelifted Ford Fusion (Australia's Mondeo)

Still to come in Detroit

BMW X4 M40i - powered-up SUV to make motor show debut in Detroit

Buick Envision - American debut for the SUV that might just be Australia's next Captiva

Honda Ridgeline - next-gen American-focused pickup coming

Lincoln Continental - production version of last year's controversial concept

Maserati Levante - a Detroit debut for new premium SUV has been reported

Toyota C-HR  - production version of Toyota’s compact SUV could appear in Detroit, but might go to Geneva instead