2009 Car of the Year Winner: Nissan GT-R

Yes, we are fully aware of the GT-R's best-known nickname, "Godzilla" -- so called because the automotive press found previous generations as ferocious and all-conquering as Japan's fire-breathing monster. But following a full week of intensive evaluation in Nissan's new sports car, we here at Motor Trend now lay claim to a more suitable GT-R moniker -- Ichiban. From Japanese, ichiban translates to "number one." In Motor Trend vernacular, however, it simply denotes: 2009 Car of the Year.

Every September, it seems a few editors comment, "This is the toughest field I can remember." Sure enough, as this year's testing drew to a close, several staff members expressed those same sentiments. And for sound reason-the competitive set is more imposing than Jamaica's Olympic track team. From the jumbo-shrimp Honda Fit and the discount-Lexus Hyundai Genesis to the quicker-than-a-Cayman BMW 1 series and the cat's-meow Jaguar XF, this year's pool runs deeper than any of recent memory. Yet, no contender proved as profound, awe-inspiring, or, more important, able to fulfill our criteria as the GT-R. How did Nissan so competently clinch the calipers?

2009 Car of the Year Winner: Nissan GT-R

Yes, we are fully aware of the GT-R's best-known nickname, "Godzilla" -- so called because the automotive press found previous generations as ferocious and all-conquering as Japan's fire-breathing monster. But following a full week of intensive evaluation in Nissan's new sports car, we here at Motor Trend now lay claim to a more suitable GT-R moniker -- Ichiban. From Japanese, ichiban translates to "number one." In Motor Trend vernacular, however, it simply denotes: 2009 Car of the Year.

Every September, it seems a few editors comment, "This is the toughest field I can remember." Sure enough, as this year's testing drew to a close, several staff members expressed those same sentiments. And for sound reason-the competitive set is more imposing than Jamaica's Olympic track team. From the jumbo-shrimp Honda Fit and the discount-Lexus Hyundai Genesis to the quicker-than-a-Cayman BMW 1 series and the cat's-meow Jaguar XF, this year's pool runs deeper than any of recent memory. Yet, no contender proved as profound, awe-inspiring, or, more important, able to fulfill our criteria as the GT-R. How did Nissan so competently clinch the calipers?

2009 Car of the Year Winner: Nissan GT-R

Yes, we are fully aware of the GT-R's best-known nickname, "Godzilla" -- so called because the automotive press found previous generations as ferocious and all-conquering as Japan's fire-breathing monster. But following a full week of intensive evaluation in Nissan's new sports car, we here at Motor Trend now lay claim to a more suitable GT-R moniker -- Ichiban. From Japanese, ichiban translates to "number one." In Motor Trend vernacular, however, it simply denotes: 2009 Car of the Year.

Every September, it seems a few editors comment, "This is the toughest field I can remember." Sure enough, as this year's testing drew to a close, several staff members expressed those same sentiments. And for sound reason-the competitive set is more imposing than Jamaica's Olympic track team. From the jumbo-shrimp Honda Fit and the discount-Lexus Hyundai Genesis to the quicker-than-a-Cayman BMW 1 series and the cat's-meow Jaguar XF, this year's pool runs deeper than any of recent memory. Yet, no contender proved as profound, awe-inspiring, or, more important, able to fulfill our criteria as the GT-R. How did Nissan so competently clinch the calipers?

2009 Car of the Year Winner: Nissan GT-R

Yes, we are fully aware of the GT-R's best-known nickname, "Godzilla" -- so called because the automotive press found previous generations as ferocious and all-conquering as Japan's fire-breathing monster. But following a full week of intensive evaluation in Nissan's new sports car, we here at Motor Trend now lay claim to a more suitable GT-R moniker -- Ichiban. From Japanese, ichiban translates to "number one." In Motor Trend vernacular, however, it simply denotes: 2009 Car of the Year.

Every September, it seems a few editors comment, "This is the toughest field I can remember." Sure enough, as this year's testing drew to a close, several staff members expressed those same sentiments. And for sound reason-the competitive set is more imposing than Jamaica's Olympic track team. From the jumbo-shrimp Honda Fit and the discount-Lexus Hyundai Genesis to the quicker-than-a-Cayman BMW 1 series and the cat's-meow Jaguar XF, this year's pool runs deeper than any of recent memory. Yet, no contender proved as profound, awe-inspiring, or, more important, able to fulfill our criteria as the GT-R. How did Nissan so competently clinch the calipers?

Ferrari Enzo West Palm Beach, Florida

Ferrari Enzo West Palm Beach, Florida

Ferrari Enzo West Palm Beach, Florida

Ferrari Enzo West Palm Beach, Florida

Mazda 2008 Concept Car

Mazda 2008 Concept Car

Avro 720 Mirage

The 2008 Avro 720 Mirage is no ordinary car and this thing has such an amazing look and feel to it that it could make me fall over. The Avro sort of resembles the Ford GT although this is a lot rarer of a car and has a lot better specs then the Ford GT. The Avro 720 Mirage will be limited to only a total of ten cars meaning that if you want to try owning one of these beauties you will need to ensure your spot very soon. The cars will all come in a nice metallic orange with black under body and rims. There is also the deduction on a usual back bumper which is mainly to lower the weight of the vehicle but there is also a custom back where there is a numbered plaque for each car. Since it’s limited to ten I can see why they would have a plaque on each car and I think it’s actually an awesome idea. The car can top out at 220Mph, one of the fastest cars.

Avro 720 Mirage

The 2008 Avro 720 Mirage is no ordinary car and this thing has such an amazing look and feel to it that it could make me fall over. The Avro sort of resembles the Ford GT although this is a lot rarer of a car and has a lot better specs then the Ford GT. The Avro 720 Mirage will be limited to only a total of ten cars meaning that if you want to try owning one of these beauties you will need to ensure your spot very soon. The cars will all come in a nice metallic orange with black under body and rims. There is also the deduction on a usual back bumper which is mainly to lower the weight of the vehicle but there is also a custom back where there is a numbered plaque for each car. Since it’s limited to ten I can see why they would have a plaque on each car and I think it’s actually an awesome idea. The car can top out at 220Mph, one of the fastest cars.

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

At the recent Paris show, Alfa Romeo unwrapped the production version of the 8C coupe. It goes on sale some time next year for $200,000, and as few as 500 units may be built. The three spoke steering wheel with the squared off bottom adjusts in both reach and rake, the power operated seats move back a long way, the foot well is deep, and there is sufficient clearance between the slab sided door panel and the transmission tunnel. But once the manual roof is closed, the swayback silhouette makes taller people to duck and crouch in discomfort. The show car is fitted with a good mix of black leather and brushed aluminum.

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

At the recent Paris show, Alfa Romeo unwrapped the production version of the 8C coupe. It goes on sale some time next year for $200,000, and as few as 500 units may be built. The three spoke steering wheel with the squared off bottom adjusts in both reach and rake, the power operated seats move back a long way, the foot well is deep, and there is sufficient clearance between the slab sided door panel and the transmission tunnel. But once the manual roof is closed, the swayback silhouette makes taller people to duck and crouch in discomfort. The show car is fitted with a good mix of black leather and brushed aluminum.

VIPER

VIPER

Sallen Exotic Car

Sallen Exotic Car