Shanghai motor show 2017 - our star cars

Jim Holder - Mercedes-Benz A Saloon concept

When cars look this good, it's little wonder that they'll sell. And, with Mercedes-Benz enjoying a long tradition of turning concepts into near-unchanged production cars, there's little doubt the A-Class Saloon will sell. Sure, this praise is delivered with the faint fear that - like many of Mercedes' small cars - it won't be dynamically on a par with its rivals, but even the cynics have to acknowledge the designers' work in making the firm's cars ultra-desirable.

Mark Tisshaw - MG E-Motion concept

There’s nothing traditional about the MG E-Motion EV, save for those classic British sports car proportions. The design details will inevitably get toned down for production, but if those proportions remain, MG will have a worthy sports car for the 21st century before you even get to the electric powertrain.

Julian Rendell - Lynk&Co 01

Geely’s UK-bound range of well-priced SUVs and saloons is a well-judged move to merge European design and engineering with Chinese efficient assembly. But it makes my list for being memorable as the first and most credible export effort by a Chinese car-maker. In decades to come, history may well view the 01 as one of the most significant ever.

Greg Kable - Chery Tiggo concept

The Chery Tiggo Concept car is proof just how far the Chinese have come in terms of automotive design. Once derided for their overly flamboyant styling, the latest designs out of the People’s Republic are bang up to date and a far cry from the glitzy copy cat efforts of old. The high riding Tiggo Concept stands comparison with the best crossover coupe concepts out there. Yes, it’s only a concept for now. But the Tiggo Concept proves the decision makers and designers at Chery are on the right track.

Sam Sheehan - Audi E-tron Sportback concept

The Audi E-tron Sportback gets my vote because it points to a more interactive and safer future for electric cars. I like the car's projecting turn signals as they're genuine safety improving features, and the reactive lights are a smart way of communicating what drive mode is in use. It's capped off with the most interactive version of Audi's virtual cockpit seen yet. Oh, and it's ultra quick in a straight line. So while it might not be pretty, the Sportback at least proves the cars of tomorrow can be entertaining in their own, futuristic way.

Jimi Beckwith - Qoros K-EV concept

After previously partnering with Koenigsegg for camless engine tech, Qoros has teamed up with the brand once again to create the K-EV - a 2.7sec to 62mph, four-engined, four-door, four-seat, four-door-opening-mechanism supercar. There's a glimmer of hope yet for the so far remarkably unremarkable Chinese-Israeli manufacturer.