New York International Auto Show: Mercedes, Nissan, Ford

The 2011 New York International Auto Show is underway, and there are a few stand-outs that merit comment.

There are, as usual for auto shows, a lot of pie-in-the-sky models that are simply "design studies" that are created to feature the ability of designers to do wild things.

There are, however, plenty of "do-able" models that conceivably show up on showroom floors in a few years - with some major, or even minor, adjustments, of course.

One of these is the Mercedes A-Class concept (below.) It's smaller size and European-approved high front end (to meet pedestrian-bumping standards. Seriously.) give it an aggressive and able stance. The headlamps, which look as if they are melting off the hood, are also aggressive, though are unlikely to make it to production in * precisely* that style. Oh, and it's unlikely Americans will get it. Europeans, and the Indian and Chinese markets have gotten a baby Benz for a decade or more now. For a bit of perspective on this photo, envision a car the size and shape of a VW Golf. Yes, it's a hatchback, but a gorgeous one.

The jaw-dropping Nissan ellure, below, can easily be seen as hitting the US market, since it has shades of current models within it already. The headlamps mimic what already exists in the Nissan Maxima and the front fascia is simply an exaggerated version of what appears on current models. The full-length, tinted-glass roof will likely not make it to production, especially if this is a future Maxima.

Ford's Vertrek is the company's concept for a sleeker, more energy-efficient SUV, and it looks like the1.6-liter EcoBoost engine may do the trick. In fact, the SUV even LOOKS thin, light and wiry enough to deliver great mileage. And in a market in which it looks as if gas is headed towards $5 per gallon, any appeal to energy efficiency will be welcomed.