The concept cars of the 2014 LA motor show

As well as the latest new models, motor shows often feature concept cars that point to the future, and the 2014 LA motor show is no different.

This year's show featured several models from major manufacturers that could well end up on sale in the years to come.

Audi Prologue

What is it?

The Audi show star is the luxurious Prologue concept.

It previews the exterior styling, advanced interior features, powertrain technology and various chassis developments set to be adopted by Audi's future generation of production models, and is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine that develops 597bhp.

The concept is said to closely resemble the upcoming Audi A9 – a plush new flagship coupe planned to be launched in 2016 as a rival to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe.

Will I be able to buy one?

You aren't going to see the Prologue in showrooms entirely unchanged, but Audi has said that about 80% of the concept's design will filter down into production vehicles - three will go on sale in the next two or three years. The design of the next A4 and A6, for example, have already been frozen and incorporate elements of this new design.

Audi's Ulrich Hackenberg added that it would be 'no trouble' to create a big coupé for production along similar lines to the concept.

Lexus LF-C2

What is it?

Lexus is calling the LF-C2 concept an 'open-top design study,' and says it has been designed 'to give driver and passenger the best top-down driving experience.'

As this is a design study, most of the focus rests on the concept's styling. The roadster does without a roof and features a new take on Lexus's signature grille design, which dominates the nose.

Vents in the front bumper and in front of the rear wheels are designed to keep the brakes cool at high speeds and hint at the LF-C2's performance, as do the four exhaust pipes. The concept sits on 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the dashboard features a central screen controlled by a touchpad and LED lights that sit just beneath the window line and run the full length of the cabin.

Will I be able to buy one?

The LF-C2 shares many of its styling traits with the RC coupe, so it's easy to see how this could act as a preview to an RC convertible.

Should a convertible RC make it into production, we expect buyers to be able to choose from either a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine or a 2.5-litre petrol hybrid.

If Lexus does decide to make an RC-F convertible, it would most likely be powered by the 471bhp 5.0-litre engine as the coupe.

**Golf Estate Hymotion, Passat Hymotion and Audi A7 h-tron

What are they?**

Golf Estate Hymotion, Passat Hymotion and Audi A7 h-tron are all on show at the Los Angeles motor show.

The Volkswagen Group has joined a number of car makers showing off their fuel cell technology at the LA show - the Toyota Mirai and the Honda FCV are also on display

The hydrogen-powered Golf Estate Hymotion sits alongside a prototype Passat Hymotion and Audi A7 h-tron.

Will I be able to buy them?

The number of hydrogen-powered cars on show stands in LA suggests that there is a move towards the technology, and it is likely that we will see more than one of these models come to the UK.

So far, the infrastructure is not set up for hydrogen cars in the UK, but this could change with some momentum.