World Car of the Year Winners

The jury has voted; the results are in: The Lexus LS 460 was named 2007 World Car of the Year by a 44-member jury of top automotive journalists from 22 countries at an April 5, 2007 press conference at the New York International Auto Show. At the same time, the Audi RS 4 was honored as World Performance Car of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec diesel sedan as World Green Car of the Year and the Audi TT as World Car Design of the Year.

Lexus LS 460

Chosen from a field of 28 nominees through two separate rounds of voting, the Lexus LS 460, 2007 World Car of the Year, offers the world's first eight-speed automatic transmission, the first electric motor-driven variable valve timing and electronically controlled intake cam and dual (port and direct) fuel injection on its new 380-hp V8 engine. It is also world renown as the first car that can parallel park itself, with a little help from cameras, computers and, oh yes, a driver. The two other finalists were Audi's new TT sports car and BMW's 2007 Mini.

Audi RS 4

Developed by Audi's Quattro GMBH performance tuning division, the RS 4 drew the most votes among 17 World Performance Car of the Year contenders, including fellow finalists BMW 335i and Porsche 911 Turbo. Its high-revving, direct-injected, naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 channels 420 horsepower through Audi's asymmetric torque distribution Quattro all-wheel drive and can propel this lightening-quick small sedan from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec

Mercedes-Benz's E320 Bluetec sedan was voted World Green Car of the Year from a field of 14 nominees. The company's first of a family of high-tech diesel cars that combine multiple technologies to meet stringent (U.S. and coming European) emissions standards requiring diesels to be as squeaky clean as modern gasoline engines, its surprisingly civilized new 3.0-liter turbocharged, piezo direct-injected V6 diesel engine delivers 208 hp and 388 lb.-ft. of torque through a seven-speed automatic transmission. The two other finalists were BMW's Hydrogen 7 sedan and Volkswagen's Polo BlueMotion diesel.

Audi TT

For 2007 World Car Design of the Year, a panel of highly respected design experts chose three finalists from the 28 WCOY nominees: the 2007 Audi TT, Citroen C4 Picasso and Fiat Grande Punto. The jury then voted Audi's new TT (coupe and roadster) the overall winner. Styled under the leadership of Audi chief designer Walter de'Silva, it is slightly larger, crisper and more dynamic than the first-generation TT, with Audi's large "single-frame" grille framed by a V-shaped domed hood and side character creases from headlamp to taillamp.