Before we get to Round 1 of the January auto show blitzkrieg, I want to say peace out to Momofuku Ando, the inventor of Japanese instant noodles. You made your country proud, and your contributions to American pop culture, aerospace (Ando's instant noodles went up in space on a 2005 U.S. space shuttle) and the culinary arts will live on. Now let's discuss some of the highlights of the Detroit Auto Show…For the poseurs and those too young to know, Detroit—formally known as the North American International Auto Show—is the SEMA of all domestic car shows; unlike SEMA though, this one actually matters.

It is, quite simply, one of the most important shows in the world. While SEMA does produce a few exceptional concept cars and new products every year, I can't make the argument that the organization exists to support its members anymore. Rather, it has morphed into a marketing circus that has grown unchecked like a fat kid eating Bojangles for breakfast. And while the fun factor in Las Vegas every November can't be denied, SEMA has become more of an excuse for PR representatives across the country to go for greatness without being under the watchful eye of a looming spouse. Detroit has become the world platform for introducing brand new or redesigned vehicles, with company CEOs and executives keeping a keen eye on the competition to see where they measure up on the buzz-o-meter. Now consider this: At Detroit, each vehicle, whether it is scheduled to go into production or is simply a design study, is a glimpse into a manufacturer's future product line. Vehicles that are built on all-new platforms thus give hints to future products that will share the same components. The importance of a company's product portfolio cannot be understated, and each vehicle introduction can essentially affect the company's stock prices. And don't be misled by the "concept car" pseudonym. If you say you like it, chances are they have a plan to build it in some way, shape or form. It's the stuff dreams are made of, literally.

Because everyone has such different tastes and preferences in vehicles, it is just too hard to pick one vehicle that could be unofficially declared Best In Show. It simply isn't possible. Fans of this website typically couldn't care less what Dodge was introducing, the same way hardcore fans of the German imports scoff at the Japanese. But every year, there are a few notable vehicles that generate exceptional press coverage and more importantly, "buzz". It's the small talk, the chatter, the hearsay, the rumors that create excitement and anticipation of an upcoming vehicle. Tops for me? The Lexus IS-F, Acura ‘Advanced Sports Car Concept' and the Mitsubishi Prototype X.

In all honesty, it's hard to fault the Lexus group for anything at all. Their story is not unlike that of any other Japanese company, whether they produce paper clips or power steering pumps. A relentless drive and pursuit of being the best in class and best in segment has produced exceptional products that are now entering their fourth or fifth generation and only improve with time. The flagship LS sedan now boasts an eight speed automatic transmission, while other carmakers are still putting four-speeds to rest. The brand has become synonymous with bulletproof reliability, quality and refinement—and yet, in spite of all the accolades, you would never, ever consider it a sporty, performance-oriented brand. An early attempt at a sports car, the SC430, has all the makings of a fantastic ride and still rides as squarely as a couch on wheels. And although the second generation IS sedan has quickly become a favorite of second generation Asian yuppies and kids cruising for boba late at night, there is simply no comparison to the magnificent BMW 3 Series. The IS-F (which stands for "fast") looks to change our impressions forever as they finally produce a very attractive and very impressive 400 horsepower V8-powered sports sedan that goes directly for the throat of the new M3 and Audi RS 4. Lexus has long been criticized for producing competent, but soulless sports sedans that have no character. They will never have an Evo, or a Z: a vehicle that transcends mechanics and connects with a driver in so many ways. Those are vehicles that define a company, and show the world what they are capable of producing. They are proletarian sports cars, to be enjoyed by all. Will the IS become Lexus' breakthrough vehicle? Maybe. But it will take years to build up the goodwill that its competitors already enjoy.

Since the last generation NSX discontinued production at the end of 2005, details of the successor have been shrouded in absolute secrecy. Rumors about the new powerplant have been churning for years, and Acura has patiently denied all talk of an upcoming V8 engine that would be retuned for a new supercar, along with other musings of a twin turbocharged V6 and a V12. Now, the company has confirmed that the new vehicle will have a front-mounted V10 engine and will still be rear-wheel drive. So one question down, about a million more still to be answered. My problem with this so-called "advanced" concept design is that it appears to have the design proportions of a sports car built 10 years ago. With such advanced engineering, the vehicle deserves a better look, no?

Those who know me will say I'm biased, but I am enamored with the Mitsubishi Prototype X—what will be known as the next generation Lancer Evolution 10. Or perhaps it's because I understand how much the upcoming Lancer compact sedan and its high performance derivative mean to the company. Look, it doesn't take a genius to see how the market has shifted in the last 10 years. Gas prices have spiked up, which means plunging truck and SUV sales and diminishing market share for the domestic automakers. The Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in America. Honda is the most fuel-efficient automaker in America. Over 40 new vehicles are introduced a year now, and there is absolutely no room for error in this hypercompetitive market. Mitsubishi has been dearly paying the price for several major blunders that took place in the past, including a horrific scandal that saw the company systematically cover up known defects in the vehicles. It was in a partnership with Daimler Chrysler that could best be likened to an abusive relationship. It has seen its sales numbers go into freefall, and is now clinging to dear life thanks to a revitalized Outlander small SUV. When the soul of your company can be summed up in one word—Evo—you know you're in a unique situation. Lancer gets my vote for the most significant vehicle of the show not only because of what it means for the future of Mitsubishi North America, but because it's a damn good car. It comes with continuously variable transmission for improved fuel economy and has more power than Civic. And Prototype X retains all of the last Evo's driving characteristics but takes it up a notch with a beautiful exterior, well-designed interior and good ergonomics. In other words, your friend with the G35 won't clown you anymore for driving an ugly car that doesn't have steering wheel-mounted controls. Apparently that matters nowadays.

I'm off to the Tokyo Auto Salon now, to keep an eye on the best and worst of Nihon that may be coming to a showroom near you. See you at the real Yoshinoya!

Jackie Liu is a Los Angeles based writer, car enthusiast and 100% U.S.D.A. Certified tart. She worked in public relations for five years, and has represented clients that include American Honda and Ford Motor Company. She was recently published in Sport Compact Car as a judge in the 2006 Ultimate Street Car Challenge, and contributes to Edmunds.com. She owns a 1990 Nissan 240SX and a 1993 Porsche 968, but she shares joint custody of a number of other cars that include a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, a 2004 Subaru STi, a 1999 Land Rover Discovery and a 1973 Datsun 240Z. Hit her up at jackie2@urbanracer.com.