Despite “Occupy” protesters just a few blocks away, you’d never tell the economy was doomed from inside the Los Angeles Convention Center, where the auto industry revealed some of its fastest and most extravagant models to date.

But behind the corporate self-praise and bleached smiles—plus all the journalists stuffed with free food and drink—is a core purpose for such a utopian celebration: the cars themselves.

Now, with a whiff of burled walnut trim, we present 15 of the show’s highlights.