82th oscar Awards
best picture the hurtlocker (kathryn bigelow)
Actors in leading role Jeff bridges(crazy heart)
Actress in leading role Sandra bullock(The blind side)
Directing The hurt locker(kathryn bigelow)

There's a lot of competition to be seen as the world's greenest automaker – just look at the branding efforts surrounding the Toyota Prius or the Chevrolet Volt for examples – but if you look at the way an automaker designs, builds and recycles its products, then BMW is the top dog.

At least that's the case if you're consulting the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World, which has declared BMW Group to be the "most sustainable automobile company worldwide." If this sounds familiar to you, well, perhaps you were reading the site last year – or perhaps it's because BMW has won the title for five years in a row now. In fact, BMW reminds us it is the only automaker that has been listed on the Index since it was created in 1999. Guess the DJSI likes BMW's responsibility – the Germans call it Verantwortung – a lot.

[Source: BMW]

PRESS RELEASE:

BMW Group named most sustainable automobile company worldwide for fifth consecutive year.
The latest Dow Jones Sustainability Index World once again ranks the BMW Group as super sector leader.

* 04.09.2009

Munich. The SAM Group today published its latest evaluation for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI). For the fifth consecutive year, it rated the BMW Group as the leader in its industry, making it the world's most sustainable automobile manufacturer. The BMW Group is the only company in the automobile industry to have been listed in this important sustainability index family every year since it was established in 1999.

"We are delighted that the BMW Group is super sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World for the fifth consecutive year.This proves once again that we are well on our way to establishing sustainability as the guiding principle for all our processes. We refined our sustainability strategy in the first half of 2009 – this was the next logical step and another important milestone," said Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

The Board of Management of the BMW Group declared sustainability one of the company's core strategic principles back in 2000. At the BMW Group corporate sustainability is firmly entrenched throughout the entire value chain: from the development of fuel-saving and alternative vehicle concepts through clean production processes to green recycling practices. The BMW Group also accepts responsibility for its roughly 100,000 employees and is involved in social projects outside of its plants.

In recent months the BMW Group has taken further important steps towards further improving sustainability. Each and every proposal today is measured against the corporate goal of sustainability. At the highest management level a Sustainability Board was established in summer 2009. This board, which comprises the entire Board of Management, determines the strategic alignment for sustainability issues. Twice a year it meets to discuss and adopt the strategies and activities proposed at operational level.

Further information on BMW Group's sustainability activities are available at: www.bmwgroup.com/responsibility

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The SAM Group analyses the economic, environmental and social performance of approximately 2,500 companies and selects the best in each industry for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. General sustainability criteria are considered as well as industry-specific challenges such as climate change. The Dow Jones Sustainability Index was the first global sustainability index to be created, in 1999, and has since been published each year by the SAM Group, based in Zurich, in cooperation with Dow Jones Indexes and STOXX Limited. More information is available at www.sustainability-indexes.com

When the Hyundai Genesis Sedan hit the scene, it was hard to know exactly what to think of the handsome-if-anonymous looking luxury intender. After all, Hyundai hadn't ever had a presence in our luxury car market, and attributes like rear-wheel drive and V8 engines weren't exactly a Hyundai staple. Over the past year, however, the Genesis' well-judged appointments and recession-friendly pricing Genesis Sedan won us over, and our contemporaries in the motoring press seem to feel the same way.

Hyundai says that the Genesis Sedan's considerable trophy case makes it the most awarded car of 2009 – and since we have no methodology by which to cross-checking such a high-falutin' claim (scientific or otherwise) we're going to give the Korean automaker the benefit of the doubt. The Hyundai Genesis Sedan began 2009 as the North American Car Of The Year and the well-heeled sedan has continued to build momentum with an impressive 21 awards. Among the Genesis Sedan's many honors are nods from Motor Trend (America's Top 40 New Cars), Cars.com, J.D. Power, NADAGuides, and AutoPacific.

Heck, the Genesis' 375 horsepower Tau 4.6-liter V8 also made Wards Automotive's 10 Best Engines list, and after putting down nearly 2,000 miles in just such a beast earlier this month, AB executive editor Paukert concurs, praising the eight's smooth power delivery and impressive mileage. Despite a packed cabin and trunk and plenty of mountain driving and high-speed cruising, our man averaged 26.1 MPG on a circuitous route from Michigan to North Carolina – fully 1.1 MPG better than the EPA says to expect on the freeway. He also praised the car's acheless seats and pleasing Lexicon audio system as excellent long-distance travel partners.

Hit the jump to read the press release listing the Genny's awards cache. What follows is a proud parent brag-fest, but when you get it right like Hyundai appears to have done with its Genesis Sedan, perhaps a little self-promoting is merited. Maybe now they'll see fit to finally take credit for it by putting a "Hyundai" badge somewhere on the car

[Source: Hyundai]

PRESS RELEASE:

Hyundai Genesis is class of the 2009 model year with most top-car honors

Headlined by the 2009 North American Car of the Year Award, Hyundai's New Flagship Earns More Top Recognition than Any Other 2009 Introduction

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., August 27, 2009 – Hyundai's all-new flagship, the Genesis sedan, launched to significant anticipation culminating with its coronation as the 2009 North American Car of the Year – the first time a Korean brand has ever achieved the honor. But Genesis didn't stop there, accumulating honor after prestigious honor to become the most decorated new car launch of the 2009 model year. At last count, Genesis tallied more than 20 top honors from the most prominent media outlets and automotive organizations in North America.

Genesis' trophy case includes awards and accolades from the likes of J.D. Power and Associates, Motor Trend, AutoPacific, Cars.com and leading consumer publications. Genesis is built on Hyundai's all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive architecture. It offers two powertrains, the Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp, and Hyundai's all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 375 hp. With technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans, convenience features like push-button start and navigation system, and five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), it's clear that Genesis is among the best new cars of 2009. But at a starting MSRP of just $32,250 and max price of just $42,000 for a fully loaded Genesis, it's no surprise the competition was left in Hyundai's rear-view mirror.

"Genesis was developed to rival the world's best luxury sedans so we knew it would be a great car, but we didn't know how it would be received by the automotive community," said Scott Margason, director of Product & Strategic Planning for Hyundai. "As the awards accumulated, we realized not only how well designed the Genesis was, but how far the Hyundai brand had come. Consumers and automotive industry influencers really embraced the idea of Hyundai producing a luxury product."
Genesis Sedan Awards

1. 2009 North America Car of the Year
2. Motor Trend – America's Top 40 New Cars
3. J.D. Power and Associates – Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) - Most appealing midsize premium car
4. J.D. Power and Associates – Vehicle Launch Index (VLI) - Highest ranked 2009 all-new or redesigned vehicle
5. The Car Book 2009 – Best Bet (intermediate category)
6. About.com – Best New Car
7. Kiplinger's Personal Finance – Best New Model (sedans $30,000-$45,000)
8. NADAguides.com – Car of the Month (April)
9. NADAguides.com – Top 5 Luxury Cars
10. NADAguides.com – Best Car Buy - Top luxury cars under $35,000
11. Autotropolis.com – Car of the Year
12. Cars.com – Car of the Year
13. On Wheels – Car of the Year
14. AutoPacific – Ideal Vehicle Awards - Aspirational Luxury Category
15. AutoPacific –Vehicle Satisfaction Awards - Aspirational Luxury Category
16. Consumer Reports – Top-Rated Vehicle (upscale sedan category)
17. Consumer Digest – Best Buy (luxury segment)
18. MyRide/Autobytel – Car of the Year
19. Ward's Auto World – 10 Best Engines (4.6 liter Tau V8)
20. Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – Canadian Car of the Year
21. Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – Best New Luxury Vehicle Under $50,000

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. In addition, Hyundai Assurance is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months.

The Ford Taurus hasn't even hit the market yet, but it's already beginning to win props from the press. Esquire has entered the award fray by picking the new Taurus SHO as its inaugural 2010 Car of the Year. The long-running men's magazine has three criteria for its award: terrific ride and handling with plenty of speed; attractive sheetmetal that elicits stares; and an attainable price point. Editor-in-chief David Granger says that the SHO hits all the marks, as the twin-turbocharged Ford was the unanimous winner amongst Esquire editors.

Esquire correspondent (and Automobile Magazine columnist) Ezra Dyer added that the SHO was a good every day driver that "happens to have a secret under the hood." We're pretty sure 365 horsepower is enough juice to fall in the 'sleeper' category. Ford is, for obvious reasons, pleased with its latest piece of hardware, adding that "we trust that customers will be equally impressed."

Oh, and before you ask ('cause we did) – although the Taurus SHO hasn't hit the market and the official media drive hasn't happened yet, Esquire did manage to secure a drive of the car before they handed out the award, although it isn't immediately clear what other cars were considered for the award. Interestingly, the magazine's article apparently doesn't actually delve into the area of driving impressions, so Ford says it was copacetic with the pre-embargo coverage. Us? We'll finally get our chance to flog the SHO very soon,

[Source: Ford]

PRESS RELEASE:

2010 FORD TAURUS NAMED ESQUIRE'S INAUGURAL "CAR OF THE YEAR" FOR MEN TO DRIVE, EVERYDAY

DEARBORN, Mich., June 10, 2009 – Esquire magazine editors evaluated nearly a dozen significant new cars – using some unique subjective criteria – before naming the 2010 Taurus SHO as its inaugural Car of the Year. The article appears in the magazine's July issue, on newsstands today.

"We had three main criteria in selecting the Esquire Car of the Year," explained David Granger, editor-in-chief. "The vehicle needed to be a pleasure to drive and be capable of shortening your breath when you slam down the pedal. It needed to be gorgeous and aggressive, capable of eliciting stares and gawks. And it needed to be attainable – a vehicle that most men actually can buy and drive. The new Taurus SHO nailed all of these parameters."

Competing with some of the best luxury sedans in the industry, Taurus SHO was the editor's unanimous choice.

"The reason we care about the new Taurus can be boiled down to four words: Looks good, goes fast. With a 3.5-liter turbo V-6, dubbed EcoBoost™, you get V-8 power with V-6 fuel economy," said Esquire automotive correspondent, Ezra Dyer. "The SHO is a sleeper – a vehicle you can live with every day, that happens to have a secret under the hood."

The response from the Taurus team?

"We're thrilled and honored with this award," said Frank Davis, executive director, Ford North American Product Programs. "Taurus – and the SHO model honored here – are Ford's flagship sedans. We trust that customers will be equally impressed."

For the first time in the modern incarnation of One Lap of America, a Japanese car has claimed the top spot. After a grueling 3,400+ mile, nine racetrack odyssey around the United States, veteran "Lap Dog" Steve Rankins and "Lap Puppy" Will Taylor captured the overall trophy in their 2009 Nissan GT-R this weekend. The victory marks the first for a Nippon car since the event's 1986 running, when rallyist Karl Chevalier's Toyota Celica beat out fellow racer John Buffum's Audi 5000S wagon. OloA's timing and scoring procedures were markedly different at that point, however, as from 1985 to 1991, One Lap was essentially a time-speed-distance (TSD) rally.

With five-time defending champion Mark Davia and Drew Wikstrom taking the year off in their Porsche 911 Turbo, a new winner was assured, but for quite a while, it looked like another Stuttgart powerhouse would take the podium, as the 996 GT2 of Peter Lier and Ian Stewart held down the top position for much of the event. In the end, the consistency of the #3 Team Cannonball GT-R outlasted all comers – including the green #2 GT-R of Derek Whitis, Tom Long and Mark Pombo, which fell by the wayside when it was beset by gremlins (faulty boost controller pushing the ECU into limp mode, overheating, etc.). Along the way, the #3 GT-R was a consistent performer all week long, setting OloA's best-ever wet skidpad performance, a tidy 0.953g and winning events at Turfway Park, Talladega Grand Prix Raceway, Daytona International Raceway, Carolina Motorsports Park, and the BMW Performance Center. While stockpiling that many victories may make this year's race sound like a walk-off, tight competition from Lier and Stewart's 996 GT2 and the aforementioned #2 GT-R meant that the issue was in doubt almost until the very end.

[Sources: One Lap of America; Motor Trend]

Aston Martin finally took the wraps off the first completed One-77 this past weekend at the Concorso d'Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como and came away with the top design prize at the event. Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez was on hand to show off the car that we saw in skeletal form at the Geneva Motor Show in March. While the aesthetics of this new Aston have drawn decidedly mixed reviews, there is no doubt that it is a striking machine. The huge grille flanked by large air scoops is a departure from the classically beautiful Astons of the last 15 years and even goes well beyond the DBS. However, when considered in the context of its functionality, the appearance makes much more sense.

[Source: Aston Martin]

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 has a lot going for it. It's aggressive, attractive and an absolute hoot to drive. It's also the Robb Report Car of the Year, beating out a dozen other luxury automobiles ranging from track stars like the Nissan GT-R and Corvette ZR1 to the quirky little SMART fortwo. The LP560-4 is the 16th winner of the award, given to the best and brightest of the luxury field by editors who know a thing or two about the good life. Testing took place in California's Napa Valley, where Robb Report staffers joined 50 guest judges to put the 13 vehicles through their paces.

The Gallardo won the award based on its supercar looks, fit and finish, and a four-wheel-drive system that makes the LP560-4 just as capable in the twisties as it is in a straight line. While the LP560-4 didn't change much aesthetically for 2009, Lamborghini made significant changes beneath the Gallardo's skin.

Robb Report Editor-in-Chief Brett Anderson summed up why the Gallardo came home with the hardware: "No past iterations of the Gallardo have delivered the combination of power and precision you get from this engine and four-wheel-drive system."

[Source: Robb Report]

How do you build the world's quickest car? Well, first you take one of the quickest cars already on the road, then you add more power and charge millions for each example.

In this case, chauffer Marlon Kirby and financier David McMahan took the Ultima GTR – which already claims the fastest quarter-mile, 0-100-0, Nürburgring (almost) and Top Gear (unofficial) track times – and dropped in an all-aluminum 7.0-liter Chevy small-block V8 with twin turbochargers to bring the power rating up to 1600 horses, calling the resultant monster the Maxximus G-Force. All those ponies drive through a three-speed sequential gearbox, while six-piston AP Racing calipers gripping 14.2-inch discs handle the stopping power.

Housed in a 2700-pound frame, that's apparently enough to get the G-Force up to 60 miles-per-hour in 2.1 seconds, to 100 mph in 4.5 seconds and run the 0-100-0 sprint in 8.8 seconds. Nine minutes of fuel is all it can carry at those rates, but considering that McMahan and Kirby are charging $3 million a pop, we doubt a big bill at the gas pump would be an owner's biggest concern.

Another trophy has been thrown at the Hyundai Genesis by the Automobile Journalists' Association of Canada: 2009 Canadian Car of the Year. To get to the top spot, the Genesis beat an odd assortment of cars, including the Audi A4 and TTS, the Lexus IS F, Mazda6, and Mercedes CL550 and SL63 AMG. Among the other vehicles joining the Genesis on the podium: the Ford Flex took the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, and the Honda Fit snagged Best New Design. Kudos, Hyundai. Again...

[Source: The National Post]

The WCOTY (world car of the year) will be announced in April at the New York Auto Show, but now we can narrow it down to 11 finialists:

- Audi A4 / Avant
- BMW 7 Series
- Citroen C5 Sedan / C5 Tourer
- Fiat 500
- Ford Fiesta
- Honda Fit / Jazz
- Jaguar XF
- Mazda Atenza / Mazda6
- Nissan GT-R
- Toyota iQ
- Volkswagen Golf VI.

A jury of fifty-nine international automotive journalists representing Asia, Europe, North America, South America, as well as other parts of the world, selected the finalists by secret ballot. Usually ten are chosen, but a tie has widened the field to eleven.

Just because this was represented by international journalists, doesn’t mean the field is complete. They may have left a few cars out, so go ahead and write in your WCOTY vote here. It won’t effect the judging, but that hasn’t stopped anyone from arguing on the internet before.

About this time last year, Cadillac's CTS added CNET's Tech Car of the Year to its increasingly crowded trophy case. Its entertainment system's recording capability was one of the things that impressed us, and, presumably, the voters. This year, CNET asks its readers to choose between three imports and two domestics, none of which are Cadillacs.

BMW's M3 Convertible DCT gets a spot on the ballot with its dual-clutch transmission. We wonder if the car's recent recall for transmission problems will affect its standing. The Nissan GT-R shows up again, as you might expect with its cabin full of g-whiz electronics, from the in-dash performance computer to the quick-loading navigation. Lincoln makes the list for its THX-equipped MKS and Infiniti's EX35 Journey gets recognized for its lane-departure warning system and park-assist cameras.

The biggest surprise, though, is the Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie. The pachyderm-sized pickup impressed the CNET judges with its UConnect multimedia system which includes a 30GB hard drive, Bluetooth hands-free system, SIRIUS TV and rear seat DVD player.

The winner will be announced the second week of January to coincide with the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas.

[Source: CNET]

Drumroll please! The 2008 Top 10 most popular cars among car thieves are... The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute recently released their list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles for 2008, and trucks and SUVs are the biggest target. We wonder if this might reflect some people finding a nefarious way to dispose of their gas-guzzler and collect the insurance money. Hopefully that's not the case, but seriously, if you were a car thief, would you want a land yacht instead of a canyon carver?

For whatever reasons, the most targeted vehicles aren't necessarily the most drool-worthy ones on the road. Thieves tend to go after vehicles that easily blend in with traffic, can be sold for parts or are popular in foreign markets where they can be dumped quickly. Big vehicles also tend to spend more time parked in driveways or on the street rather than in garages, so they're more easily accessible by naydoers. The IIHS looks at insurance-claim reports to determine theft-frequency rates and compile the Most Stolen Vehicle list. The figures are reported in number of claims filed for every 1,000 vehicles insured each year, and this most recent report covers vehicles made and sold between 2005 and 2007.

Ten Most Stolen Vehicles:

1. Cadillac Escalade ESV
2. Ford F-250 SuperCrew
3. Cadillac Escalade
4. Dodge Charger
5. Ford F-350 SuperCrew
6. Hummer H2 SUT
7. Dodge Magnum
8. Hummer H2
9. Dodge Durango
10. Honda S2000 convertible

HUMMER might be getting shown the door, but it's not going to leave without taking some of the silverware. Four Wheeler magazine put the marque's newest brute, the H3T Alpha, up against the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, and... um... the Suzuki Equator (bet you didn't see that one coming), and the V8-powered HUMMER truck took home the medal.

The trials lasted a week and involved traveling 1,000 miles over various terrain from sea level to more than a mile high. According to Four Wheeler, "Not only was the HUMMER highly competent and the staff favorite on the trail, it also has the added pluses of on-road comfort, distinctive looks and a usable pickup bed." While we wouldn't mind seeing the H3T earn the top spot against a wider field and stiffer competition, regardless of year, it's good to see it rewarded for its monumental capability.


[Source: Four Wheeler]

There are a few standouts in the emerging green sector of the U.S. auto market that are hitting the market in 2009. BMW's first clean diesel in the United States, the 335d, is one such vehicle that has torque-loving enthusiasts salivating, and General Motors' upcoming Saturn Vue is the first application of the 2-Mode hybrid system in a front-wheel drive vehicle. No green car discussion is complete without a mention of the smart fortwo, which sports the best mileage of any non-hybrid car available. Of course, the new Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid from Ford are shaping up to be real contenders in the green mid-size sedan sweepstakes and they may take a chunk out of Camry hybrid sales when it finally debuts. Still, there is one '09 car that seems to offer the best of all worlds, with a relatively low starting price, excellent fuel economy and refined driving dynamics: The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. For these reasons, the oil-burner from Germany has been selected by Green Car Journal as the 2009 Green Car of the Year.

Nissan has hit a major home run with its latest Skyline, known as the GT-R here in the States. In fact, the car was knocked so far out of the park that it seems an obvious choice for anyone's Car of the Year. Nissan's latest supercar boasts enough performance to take on the best from the rest of the world regardless of price, making it an amazing value despite costing upwards of $80,000. As such, the new GT-R has been awarded the Car of the Year trophy from Automobile Mag. Who are we to argue?

Other winners of Automobile's year-end awards include Audi's stunning A5 coupe, which takes the award for Design of the Year, though it seems it feels like the A5's already been around for more than a year. Man of the Year goes to Honda's CEO, Takeo Fuki, who's company is now reaping the rewards for staying true to its initial vision of rational, fuel efficient designs after all these years. It's pretty hard to take exception with these choices, though 2009, which is right around the corner, is shaping up to be the year of fuel efficiency. Follow the jump for Automobile Mag's official press release, which has a few extra award winners we didn't mention.

[Source: Automobile]

PRESS RELEASE

AUTOMOBILE Magazine Names the Nissan GT-R Automobile of the Year

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AUTOMOBILE Magazine, America's leading automotive lifestyle publication and part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, a subsidiary of media and marketing services company Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SORC), announced today that the Nissan GT-R is the 2009 Automobile of the Year. The magazine also named the Audi A5 Design of the Year, Honda president and CEO Takeo Fukui Man of the Year, and Direct Fuel Injection Technology of the Year.
The winners are featured in the pages of the January 2009 issue of AUTOMOBILE Magazine, available on newsstands beginning December 2, 2008.

2009 Automobile of the Year: Nissan GT-R

The much anticipated Nissan GT-R is the first Japanese supercar to seriously threaten the reigning opposition, many of whom the GT-R bested on Germany's renowned Nurburgring. Editors noted that while the Nissan GT-R rides like a subway car, sounds like an appliance and weighs a ton, it still deserved to be named Automobile of the Year for delivering high-intensity fun and astonishing performance.

'For decades, previous versions of the GT-R were never exported to the United States. Now we know what we've been missing, and are we happy to be invited to the party,' said Jean Jennings, president and editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. 'What we love about the GT-R is that it refuses to compromise. It is not comfortable, it is not trying to make friends and it is not trying to influence people. It exists for one reason only ' to go fast ' and it does.'

In awarding the GT-R its ultimate prize, AUTOMOBILE Magazine editors cited the car's 'neck-snapping acceleration,' 'super-accurate steering' and 'incredible value' by supercar standards.

Design of the Year: Audi A5

AUTOMOBILE Magazine's Design of the Year is notable for its restraint, elegance, and perfect execution on the interior and not just the exterior, according to editors. Initially, the editors were skeptical of Volkswagen Group design chief Walter de Silva's assertion that the Audi A5 is his best-ever design. It was on seeing the A5 on the road, however, that the magazine's editors could fully appreciate the quality of the A5's total design. Audi has indeed created a beautiful car.

'The first point of appreciation comes upon approaching the car,' said Design Editor Robert Cumberford. 'The second comes when the door is opened to one of the best interiors offered today, in any car at any price. The A5's elegance, stability, and sheer visual presence make it a clear winner.'

Man of the Year: Takeo Fukui - President, Honda Motor Company

In a year when the U.S. auto market has been challenged by fuel prices and the financial meltdown, Honda stands as an exception. With Takeo Fukui at the reins, Honda maintained a diverse model mix, especially in the small-car arena, and successfully positioned itself for the current marketplace.

The Gallardo Lp560-4 won the title of Performance Car of The Year 2008 in CAR magazine’s annual test. The Gallardo LP560-4 compete with the Porsche 911 GT2, Aston Martin DBS and Mercedes-Benz CLK Black Series.

It then went on to win the overall competition against finalists from seven other categories, including challengers such as the Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Evo 360 and Mini John Cooper Works.

"The Gallardo LP 560-4 is a special car to see, to drive and, we bet, to own and that’s why it’s our Performance Car of The Year,” said CAR editor Phil McNamara. To celebrate, go to your local Lamborghini dealership and ask to take a victory lap.

And the grand winner is not surprisingly an engine from BMW, just like it has been for the last three years going back to 2005. The Bavarian automaker's 5.0L V10 won the award that year and in 2006, and BMW's luscious 3.0L twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine won it in 2007 and has repeated its performance by winning the International Engine of the Year Award again for 2008. We get it, BMW makes really good engines.

There were 11 other categories in which engines from around the world were honored, and no less than five of those were also won by BMW. Check the list below to see what other automakers were able to wrest an International Engine of the Year Award from BMW.

Best New Engine of 2008
BMW 2.0L twin-turbo diesel (123d)

Green Engine of the Year 2008
Toyota 1.5L Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)

Best Performance Engine 2008
Porsche 3.6L Turbo (911 Turbo, 911 GT2)

Check out the rest of the awards for individual displacement classes after the jump, and visit the source below for a lot of good information on why each engine was a winner.

[Source: International Engine of the Year Awards]

Sub 1-Liter: Toyota 1.0L three-cylinder
1.0L - 1.4L: VW 1.4L TSI Twincharger
1.4L - 1.8L: BMW-PSA 1.6L Turbo
1.8L - 2.0L: VW/Audi 2.0L Turbo FSI
2.0L - 2.5L: Subaru 2.5L Turbo
2.5L - 3.0L: BMW 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six
3.0L - 4.0L: BMW 4.0L V8
Above 4.0L: BMW 5.0L V10

The 2008 Engine of the Year winners will be announced on the 7th of May 2008. if last year the winner was BMW with its 3-litre Twin Turbo engine found in the 335i, this year BMW has seriously competition as Audi, Nissan, Cadillac and many others are fighting for the title.

The Engine of the Year categories are: Best New Engine of the Year, Best Fuel Economy, Best Performance Engine, sub 1 liter engine, 1.0 to 1.4 liter engine, 1.4 to 1.8 liter engine, 1.8 to 2.0 liter engine, 2.0 to 2.5 liter engine, 2.5 to 3.0 liter engine, 3.0 to 4.0 liter engine, above 4.0 liter engine.

And some of the nominees are:

* Subaru’s new turbodiesel engine
* Nissan’s VR38DETT in the new Nissan GT-R
* Audi’s new twin turbocharged V10 in the RS6
* BMW’s new 4.0 liter V8 in the new BMW M3
* BMW’s new twin turbocharged turbodiesel in the BMW 123d
* BMW’s new 4.4 liter twin turbocharged V8
* Mitsubishi’s turbocharged 2.0 liter 4B11T in the Evo X
* Fiat’s 1.4-litre Turbo
* Chevrolet’s 6.2-litre turbo from the Corvette ZR1

The 2008 Engine of the Year Awards will be decided by 65 automotive journalists from 32 countries.

The 2008 New York Auto Show press preview is in the books, and now it's the public's turn to roam the floor in the Javits Center. After thinking things over, we thought we'd put together a video of top five most significant introductions from the show. New York served as a launching pad for exciting new vehicles like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Saleen S5S Raptor, so there were some winners to choose from. Click play on the video above to see our picks for the most significant debuts

Even if I do not understood how could the Mazda2 overtook a model like Mercedes C-Class it really happened: Mazda2 won the title of World Car of the Year! Initially there was a list of 39 entries and only three were selected for the big final: Mazda2, Mercedes C-Class and Ford Mondeo.

Based on the recommendations of a design panel consisting of four highly respected world design experts, the Mazda2 was also voted by the jurors onto the short-list of top three design finalists, together with the Audi R8 and Volvo C30.

Another winners: World Green Car of the Year goes to BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics; World Performance Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year - Audi R8 (finally some justice!).

Press release

he Mazda2 is the 2008 World Car of the Year (WCOTY). From an initial entry list of thirty-nine (39) new vehicles from all over the world, the overall 2008 WCOTY title was announced today (Thursday, March 20, 2008) at the New York International Auto Show. The Mazda2 (known as the Mazda Demio in Japan) edged out the Ford Mondeo and Mercedes-Benz C-Class to take the overall award.

Based on the recommendations of a design panel consisting of four highly respected world design experts, the Mazda2 was also voted by the jurors onto the short-list of top three design finalists, together with the Audi R8 and Volvo C30.

The WCOTY awards were officially launched in January 2004 and are initiated by, organized by, and conducted by automotive journalists from all over the world. A jury of 47 international automotive journalists selected the overall winner by secret ballot, based on their experience with each candidate as part of their professional work. The jury members constitute a balance of representation from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, as well as other parts of the world.

Since it first went on sale in 2003 in Europe, the Mazda2 compact has enjoyed widespread popularity due to its convenient size and superb storage and functionality. The second generation all-new Mazda2 commenced sales in Japan in July 2007, and soon drew attention thanks to its fun-to-drive, Zoom-Zoom driving dynamics, and the emphasis Mazda placed on the new generation’s desire for environmental and safety attributes and great design. The all-new Mazda2 reflects these emerging modern attitudes with stylish exterior design complemented by low running costs and excellent fuel economy, achieved by reducing the vehicle’s weight by approximately 100 kilograms.

"We are delighted that the 2008 World Car of the Year jury has chosen the all-new Mazda2 as their World Car of the Year," said Dan Morris, Mazda’s senior managing executive officer in charge of Marketing, Sales and Customer Service. "This is wonderful recognition which Mazda2 car owners and Mazda employees alike can celebrate worldwide.

"The all-new Mazda2 is exceeding our highest expectations, demonstrating it can compete and win against the best compact cars in any market in the world and is earning glowing praise at home and globally, having also won a number of Car of the Year awards around the globe, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, New Zealand, and the RJC Car of the Year award in Japan."