Time for all of the automakers to join in what is largely considered North America's largest auto show.

After last year's rather abysmal show, it looks like this year it will receive a shot of adrenaline to kick start the party. How so, you ask? Across the board, manufacturers will be displaying a unique grouping of cars. But one thing I have noticed, most of the vehicles for this year's show seem to be focusing on realism.

Mercedes customiser wins Readers’ Choice from AUTO BILD SPORTSCARS. Tilt angle 35 degrees, gradeability 100 percent, there is virtually no terrain insurmountable to a standard Mercedes GL. But there is one place that even one of the world’s best climbers cannot reach without the help of a vehicle customiser: the top step of the podium of the TopCars Awards presented by AUTO BILD SPORTSCARS, in which the most successful tuning models are chosen every year by the readers. The magazine is considered the market leader in its segment.

The hulking ATV in the sporty suit won as the Lorinser GL 420 CDI in the SUV & Offroad category. “With 335 HP and 790 Nm, the Lorinser GL again clearly exceeds the already respectable serial values”, explained Managing Director Marcus Lorinser, who was extremely pleased at the award. The bodywork was also made a lot more sporty than in mass production without “watering down” the car’s original character. Incidentally, Lorinser already presented the new GLK in Essen as the next potential SUV hit.