The 2008 North American International Auto Show, now open to the public in Detroit, has two conflicting themes -- high-performance road warriors and thrifty "green" cars -- that cause the event to lack a coherent sense of direction.

But when it comes to producing winners on the turntable, this year's show has an unusual number of hits, with only one real miss.

From Ford to Ferrari, just about every automaker has at least one show-stopper that looks ready for the road, and there are fewer bizarre, out-of-this-world concepts that seem light years away from reality.

Here are the show's big winners, in no particular order:

The changes to this pickup may be mostly styling refinements, but they still come off as vast improvements over the old model. The interiors are even more elegant and imaginative than previous designs, and that's no small feat when you consider that Ford's strong point has always been interiors.

The new trucks also have handy new features, such as a box side step that makes it easier to get to items stowed in the front part of the pickup box, and a drop-down tailgate step.

Altogether, given the bolder, brawnier grille, flowing, powerful-looking flanks and those terrific interiors, Ford comes off as the elegant, classy member of next year's class of trucks.

This is my candidate for the most-improved product of this year's show. The new Ram looks more "all of a piece," with tighter body seams, a more unified look between the cab and the pickup box, rounder, high-performance-style wheel openings, and classier exterior trim.

It also has attractive dual pipes built into the back bumper. Inside, Dodge finally has done away with the monochromatic grays and tans and now is using a beautiful two-tone look highlighted with wood and aluminum trim that would do a luxury car proud. Big, elegant gauges, flush-mounted controls and lots of chrome trim round out the picture.

My favorite features include the "RamBox" storage system, with huge built-in bins in the sides of the truck above the back wheels, as well as a stowable bed divider.

One more thing: There's an all-new 380-horsepower Hemi that hits 60 mph in less than seven seconds. And, soon, you'll be able to get this truck in diesel or hybrid versions, too.

All told, the Ram gets my vote for the most beautiful pickup truck around.

This one was a real shocker for a number of reasons. First, its appearance was a complete surprise to just about everybody. Second, it looks nothing like any other Toyota -- and in my book, that's a plus, given the company's penchant for innocuous, pleasant looks that don't break new ground.

It has the sexiness of Infiniti's FX series of crossovers, but without the quirkiness of that design. The Venza has muscled, flowing lines, taillights that are nicely integrated into the rear, and powerful-looking rounded wheel wells with the hint of "blisters" over them. It's easily the most stylish member of the Toyota family.

The Venza seats five and offers either a 2.7-liter four or a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6, and comes with a full complement of safety and convenience features. The car is expected to go on sale late this year, and I predict it will be a huge seller for Toyota.

Ford clearly has its styling mojo back, and not a minute too soon. The Verve, in either a three- or five-door version, has the unmistakable influence of the Ford Edge, with the high beltline, powerful bulges over the wheels, and the panoramic glass roof. It also has some of the most beautiful alloy wheels I've ever seen.

I loved the fact that Ford chose to do a classy, expensive-looking interior with lots of color and texture contrasts, and particularly effective use of interior lighting.

This small car looks like no other on the road, and Ford would be making a huge mistake not to produce this car as is. Ford sometimes isn't as quick to reproduce some of its more practical concept cars as its competitors are, and I would encourage the automaker not to make that mistake with the Verve, because this car could be a strong seller.

Yet another winner from Ford.

I chose the Lincoln MKT because it amply demonstrates one of my favorite attributes in cars: coherence.

Designers must make sure that each design for a brand carries a sense that it belongs within that family. If that is done well, the car has an unmistakable identity, the consumer's familiarity with the brand is enhanced, and the design process becomes that much easier.

The MKT's smooth flanks, "bow wave grille" hearkening back to the 1930s and '40s, strong character lines and effective use of Lincoln heritage cues all caught my eye.

Even better, the MKT is "green" sensitive: Its body panels were made of discarded soft drink bottles and other recycled material, and, trust me, trash never looked better.

Also, the MKTalso uses a new 3.5-liter gas turbo direct-injection engine nicknamed "EcoBoost" that offers the mileage of a V-6 engine with the performance of a V-8.

Good design will win every time, and Jaguar's all-new sedan has it all over the place. From its novel interior with a pulsating start button and air vents that open automatically when the car is started, to its sleek profile and tasteful use of interior materials, the XF is a winner, hands down. Jaguar's future should get a good boost courtesy of the XF.

The redo of this popular little SUV is a classy one, effectively bringing Forester into the 21st century without losing its sense of identity. Inside, you'll see a Tribeca-style dashboard with wave style design cues built in, along with some of the most effective use of aluminum, chrome, color and texture inside that I've seen in the small SUV field.

Its 20/26 miles per gallon rating, symmetrical all-wheel drive and new ring-shaped reinforcement frame win kudos from me, too.

These two concepts are a thinly disguised preview of Mercedes' soon-to-be-introduced small luxury crossover. The angular, razor-sharp lines and aggressive character lines along the flanks give the little crossover a look that is quite distinct from other Mercedes models.

The Freeside clearly is aimed at the luxury end of the market, with its white leather and wood trim elements in a matte finish. It also offers detachable body parts, agility control and other features that make for strong off-road performance.

The Townside, on the other hand, has a strong sports suspension, which suggests that it is designed more for the sterling handling, quick acceleration and strong cornering needed in on-road motoring. The interior features brushed aluminum trim and aquamarine leather, and a striking three-bar grille sets it apart from the Freeside.

You didn't think I was going to leave the most exciting new American sports car in decades off the list, did you?

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is an amazing accomplishment, and not just because of its stunning exterior and pursposeful looks. The liberal use of carbon fiber for the roof, the hood, rocker molding and other parts, as well as exclusive, sparkling road wheels, and various other details set this 'Vette apart from any others.

This car has a 620-horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that has a top speed of 200 miles per hour. And yet, if scuttlebutt is correct, it will get 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Strong acceleration and good gas mileage? Bring it on.

And now for the only miss I encountered:

Three words of advice. Don't build it.

It's huge, it has a lump of a lowered folding roof over the rear passengers that is one of the most ungainly things I've ever seen, and it reeks of excess, from upholstered armchairs to the use of black granite in the interior. I could go on, but I won't. It simply did not work. Period.