The New York International Auto Show has been in a rut lately. Detroit is still the biggest game in the States, kicking off all things auto in January. Then, in early March, Geneva steals any thunder that's left. By the time the press gets to America's least friendly car town on in late March, there is hardly any news to break. But there were a few rides that stood head-and-shoulders above the rest, including a couple exciting birthdays. Here is my top five from the floor of the Javits Center.

Land Rover LRX Concept
This boldly reimagined four-by-four, which should get 50 miles to the gallon thanks to its turbodiesel hybrid engine, was issued to celebrate Land Rover's 60th anniversary. The LRX is the only concept vehicle I've included on this list since, considering the positive reception it received and the recent purchase of the company, along with Jaguar, by the Indian company Tata Motors, there's a very good chance you'll see the LRX cruising Santa Monica Boulevard in a summer or two. This smaller, lighter, more streamlined SUV is the future of Land Rover. No price.

Pontiac Sport Truck
You have to admire GM. Gearing up for a nearly 20% drop in sales for the first quarter of 2008, they resurrect the El Camino in the form of a two-seat, gas guzzling V8 "sport truck" that can go from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds. That'll show them! The Ute, as they call it Down Under, is as rad as they come, though. On sale summer 2009, should be under $30,000.

Porsche Limited Edition Boxster RS 60 Spyder
This limited edition Boxster pays tribute to the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring-winning Type 718 RS 60 Spyder, which helped Porsche solidify its reputation as a "giant killer" in auto racing. Today, of course, Porsche is the giant of giants. The Boxster RS 60 Spyder went on sale March 22, 2008 ($64,900), but only 800 of the 1,960 models that will be manufactured will make it to North America.

Bentley Continental GT Speed
It's the latest model to be released by the VW-owned Bentley, which is on a roll. The GT Speed is the fastest "winged B" ever made: it does 0 - 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and tops out at a nice symmetrical 202 mph. The low-slung, flowing design stopped me in my tracks every time I passed by, but it wasn't until I had the chance to handle the twin-turbocharged V12 engine on the winding hills of Eagle Rock, California, that I really understood the Speed: This beast is civilized. On sale now, $199,000.

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series
Sorry for the missing image, but our friendly German handlers at the "super secret VIP lunch" around the corner from the Javits Center confiscated all phones and cameras. Still, this well-kept secret was my favorite unveiling of the show: It's a limited edition (350 will be made) monster of a SL wrapped in a palladium silver carbon-fiber body with 12 cylinders, 670 horses, 20-inch rear wheels, 19-inches up front, huge wheel flares, and a racing style carbon-fiber interior. Get in line, now. Price will be under $300,000 for 2009. --MICHAEL MRAZ

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