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Easter is behind us, which means the world's car companies have shot all their auto show bullets for the season. The New York and Beijing shows are done; time to sum up and pick hits and misses. (Photos from AP Photo, Reuters, and auto makers).

MISS: 2015 Hyundai Sonata

From the peanut gallery out here, the formula for success in the car business seems incredibly simple – make sexy-looking cars that drive well, don’t break and make complicated technology easy to operate. The last-generation Sonata nailed this formula. The reinvented Sonata, on the other hand, has gone all conservative on us. Who makes these decisions?

HIT: 2015 Nissan Murano

The revamped Murano crossover looks just like the dramatic Resonance concept from the 2013 Detroit auto show. Love it. Most crossovers are boring. Not this one.

Bentley

MISS: 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8

No one who buys a Flying Spur cares the slightest about fuel economy. So why would any of them want a twin-turbo V-8 rather than the V-12?

HIT: 2015 Acura TLX

Two high-performance engines (206-horsepower four, 290-hp V-6), eight- and nine-speed transmissions, clean styling and the promise of an easy-to-use infotainment interface. If the replacement for the TL and TSX sedans is priced in the low-$30,000s to start, it will do wonders for the sputtering Acura brand.
BMW

MISS: BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

BMW already has shown us the X4 crossover, a miniaturized X6, so what’s the point of a four-door hatchback BMW calls a “coupe?”

HIT: 2015 Toyota Camry

The best-selling car in the United States for 12 years running went stale as old donuts these last few years. The new design is not adventurous, but aggressive enough to please the millions of existing Camry owners longing for a new sedan that doesn’t put them to sleep at first glance – yet remains true to the twin values of reliability and resale value that resonate with all of them. This is that car.

MISS: 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C

Alfa is coming back to North America and its return will be as successful as Fiat’s. The Fiat-Chrysler alliance does not have the resources and the time to prop up and promote yet another brand.

HIT: 2015 Aston Martin Vantage GT

Aston is in the very early stages of reinventing itself, using Porsche’s play book from the 1990s as a starting point. This 430-hp two-seater, at an “almost-affordable” $105,000, is Aston’s first-generation Boxster.

MISS: 2015 Dodge Challenger

The 1971 Challenger was a pretty amazing car – 43 years ago. Time to move on, Dodge; stop milking your history. Same thing for the 2014 Dodge Charger.

HIT: 2015 Corvette Z06 convertible

Sign me up. Chevy planned for this, a red-hot convertible version of the wonderful new ‘Vette. How does 625 horsepower grab you?

HIT/MISS: 2015 Honda Fit

We need Honda to share pricing, but if it comes in below $14,000 for the made-in-Mexico Fit, then buyers will flock to it.
Ford

HIT: 2015 Ford Focus

The world’s best-selling nameplate is going all fuel efficiency on us, with an available 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-banger coming for 2015. The car looks great and handles even better.

MISS: 2015 Infiniti Q70L

Well, it will be a miss in North America. No one needs a long-wheelbase version of the former M sedan on this continent, but in China... Hit.

HIT: 2015 Honda HR-V

The car market is ready for a really well-done small crossover and this one, based on the Fit chassis, is it.

MISS: 2015 Jeep Renegade

Jeep should have spent its money on updating the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. Maybe they’ll like this one in Europe or China.

HIT: Land Rover Discovery Vision concept

Jaguar Land Rover is reinventing itself, and in brilliant ways. An entire new line of Discovery models will be aimed at mid-range buyers, where the volume is in SUVs. This concept shows us what is coming.

MISS: 2015 Kia Sedona

The only car maker that can sell minivans in volume is Chrysler and that’s because they are massively discounted. Perhaps the new free trade agreement with South Korea will allow Kia Canada to discount this one in ways Chrysler has perfected.

HIT: 2015 McLaren 650S

Of course. The 12C set the table for this replacement model. How about 0-100 km/hour in three seconds?

MISS: 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG coupe

The very fast S-Class coupe is a car in search of a market. Not necessary.

HIT: 2015 Subaru Outback

Subaru is clear about what the brand stands for and the next-generation Outback is a pure expression of ruggedness in a real SUV, but one without pretension. It’ll surely be reliable and safe, too.

MISS: Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

The Jetta wagon replacement is, unfortunately, a station wagon, not an SUV or a crossover. Wagons don’t sell in North America, especially with Americans.