Awards like The Most Beautiful Cars, The Most Dependable Cars, etc. are given by prestigious award giving bodies to acknowledge the makes and models who made a difference in their class for a given production year. This time, featured here is ten of the most expensive cars that hit production and the display zones of world-class automakers and/or specialty car producers. Arrange from the least expensive to the most with their price tags, indulge!

Price: $430,355 in US

Rs 5.36 crore in India

Price: $440,000 in US

Rs 5.47 crore in India

Price: $448,153 in Europe

Rs 5.59 crore in India

Price: $452,750 in US

Rs 5.64 crore in India

Price: â‚458,000 in Europe

Rs 6.94 crore in India

Price: $ 637,723 in US

Rs 7.95 crore in India

Price: $645,084 (Global)

Rs 8.03 crore in India

Price: $654,500 in US

Rs 8.17 crore in India

Price $667,321 in Europe and US

Rs 8.31 crore in India

Price: â‚1,000,000 in Europe

Rs 15.17 crore in India

Time for a little engine porn (ahem) education.

Have you ever fantasized about what a valve train looks like sawing at redline? Well, here’s what.

Warning: Engine oil spewing from total awesomeness. [Click to watch video] (Courtesy of Jalopnik)

The cannibalized engine belongs to a BMW S1000R. Yes folks, it’s a super bike. The kind Mr. Valentino Rossi is so famous for.

These cams and valves are what gives the 1000cc engine its 193 horses. Never try this at home.

Of course, you wouldn’t cut your engine in half.

Source: Jalopnik

The 2010 MotorWeek Driver’s Choice Awards have already been given at the Chicago Auto Show, and the 2010 Buick LaCrosse was named the Best Luxury Sedan “for delivering stunning good looks and quality inside and out.”

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse has received a redesign and new additions, like an all-wheel drive. A new engine, the direct inject Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine, will also be available together with the two other V6 engines already being offered. These continuous developments have no doubt contributed to the improvement of the LaCrosse. According to the General Manager of Buick GMC Brian Sweeney, “The LaCrosse is a leader in the luxury sedan segment and continues to sell quickly off dealer lots.”

To read more details about the Buick LaCrosse winning the Best Luxury Sedan, check out InternetAutoguide. And for a complete list of the winners of MotorWeek’s Driver’s Choice Awards, click here for the press release at The Auto Channel.

[Photo: OhGizmo!]

The readers have chosen, and among the top choices are two Cadillac models: the CTS Coupe and the Platinum XTS Concept. During the North American International Auto Show, 100 readers have picked their favorites among all the cars present. Of the 11 Reader’s Choice awards offered, Cadillac received two.

The said event has been a tradition to Detroit News every time the North American International Auto Show is held. One hundred readers are given the opportunity to see the cars at the show and then to choose their favorites.

This year, the readers have chosen the Cadillac CTS Coupe as the Best in Show vehicle while the Best Future Fantasy Award has been given to the Cadillac Platinum XTS Concept.

The CTS Coupe is a car that combines luxury and performance. With its 556 horses and good looks, it’s got to be a real killer on the road. And, buyers don’t have to wait because it’s going to be available in spring this year.

Meanwhile, the Platinum XTS Concept has a natural charm that has swayed the readers to its side with no effort at all. Its luxurious features and its hybrid propulsion technology make it a real winner.

That’s after it has been included in Car and Driver magazine’s “10Best” list for three years in a row now, with its new CTS Sport Wagon marking its third victory this year. The first CTS that made it to the list back in 2008 was the CTS Sport Sedan, followed by the CTS-V, and finally the CTS Sport Wagon.

According to Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver, “10Best winners are those vehicles that crack the greatness code, offering that elusive combination of driving enjoyment, mission fulfillment, and value. That the CTS has made the list for a third consecutive year is a tribute to the Cadillac’s fundamental integrity and staying power.”

Below is the complete press release:

Cadillac CTS Wins Car and Driver Magazine’s Highest Award for the 3rd Consecutive Year

DETROIT, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ — Cadillac’s CTS product line, the centerpiece of the brand’s revised lineup, has been selected by Car and Driver magazine for its annual “10Best” list for the third consecutive year.

“10Best winners are those vehicles that crack the greatness code, offering that elusive combination of driving enjoyment, mission fulfillment, and value,” said Eddie Alterman, Car and Driver editor-in-chief. “That the CTS has made the list for a third consecutive year is a tribute to the Cadillac’s fundamental integrity and staying power.”

Cadillac’s CTS Sport Sedan is the core of the brand, and initially was selected to Car and Driver’s 10Best in 2008. The high-performance 556-horsepower (415 kW) CTS-V model drove CTS back on to the 10Best list for 2009. And the new CTS Sport Wagon model that went on sale in September helped the CTS achieve the “3-Peat” this year.

The 2011 CTS Coupe and CTS-V Coupe join the lineup next year.

Car and Driver’s twenty-eight annual 10Best Award is the magazine’s highest honor, reserved for entirely new or substantially updated cars, and previous winners. Fifty-eight of the industry’s top new vehicles competed this year in the magazine’s extensive test. The entire 10Best award report appears in the January 2010 edition of the magazine, on newsstands now.

About Cadillac

Cadillac is a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by dramatic new designs and global expansion. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

The criteria used in selecting the latest IIHS Top Safety Pick are tougher and more stringent, and the 94 chosen vehicles last year are down to 27 this year. According to Adrian Lund, president of the Institute, the most common kinds of crashes are covered in this year’s test (the newest test added is the roof strength test), making it really harder to get in the list. And indeed, many of the previous automakers included have now failed to make it to this year’s picks.

In the luxury car department alone, it’s interesting to note that many of the high-end automakers are missing. Jaguar, Acura, and Lexus (no Toyota model made it) are just three of the missing in the list. Mercedes Benz, on the other hand, managed to make it.

The complete list is as follows:

Large cars
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door with optional electronic stability control
Dodge Avenger with optional electronic stability control
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door

Midsize SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

[Source: Insurance Institute For Highway Safety]

If you are one of the avid fans of Yahoo’s Top Ten Most Popular Luxury Cars like me, you will notice that 2010 Ford Mustang is number one in the list. That means, the longest running model of Ford received the highest ticks. One thing I can relate this popularity is its low price. In fact, the 2010 Ford Mustang is the lowest priced luxury car in this week’s list. It has MSRP bracket of $20,995-$35,995 and an invoice price of $19,471-$32,971. Compared to the second in line 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with MSRP of $32,900-$56,300 and invoice price of $30,597-$52,359, that is a good +50 percent.

Here is the complete list from Yahoo Auto:

1.		2010 Ford Mustang	MSRP $20,995-$35,995 Invoice $19,471-$32,971
		Show all trims for this model
2.		2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class	MSRP $32,900-$56,300 Invoice $30,597-$52,359
		Show all trims for this model
3.		2009 Lamborghini Gallardo	MSRP $198,000-$221,000 Invoice Not Listed
		Show all trims for this model
4.		2009 Lamborghini Murcielago	MSRP $354,000-$382,400 Invoice Not Listed
		Show all trims for this model
5.		2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class	MSRP $48,050-$85,500 Invoice $44,686-$79,515
		Show all trims for this model
6.		2010 Chevrolet Corvette	MSRP $48,930-$116,880 Invoice $44,526-$108,733
		Show all trims for this model
7.		2010 Ford F-150 SuperCab SVT 4X4	MSRP $38,020 Invoice $34,282
		Show all trims for this model
8.		2010 Toyota Sienna	MSRP $24,540-$37,865 Invoice $22,329-$34,077
		Show all trims for this model
9.		2010 BMW 5 Series	MSRP $45,800-$60,400 Invoice $42,135-$55,570
		Show all trims for this model
10.		2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class	MSRP $33,600-$57,350 Invoice $31,248-$53,336

I’ve always been a big fan of BMW ever since I was a kid. There was something about how precise all of its vehicles are crafted. Something out of the world actually, yet the regular Joe can drive its vehicles with almost no effort at all. Recently, I’ve come across one hell of a luxury car that comes from the gates of BMW: the 2009 BMW M6 Coupe.

The 2009 BMW M6 Coupe is just one of the many luxury coupes that date back to 1972. It’s actually BMW’s answer to the Mercedes Benz’s AMG and the Jaguar XKR. The best thing about this car is that it has three different power levels that you can adjust.

The Looks

The 2009 BMW M6 Coupe has subtle lines and a loud spoiler. Apart from that, it boasts of a M-design wheels, aero-mirrors, and superb illumination. In short, you’ll never miss this vehicle when you see it on the road. On the other hand, it also uses lightweight materials in order to reduce its baggage. In fact, its roof panel is made of carbon-fiber, which is both tough and light at the same time.

The Price

The 2009 BMW M6 Coupe sells at a whopping 111,320 USD. If you think that it’s expensive, well you can expect anything less because it’s a luxury car in the first place. You’ll be spending good money anyways because its V10 engine can pump out 500 horses and 383 lb-ft of torque. Now that’s what I call legit power. Basically, the 2009 BMW M6 Coupe is simply a finely-tailored suit that just fits right. With its V10 engine, it can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. It also won’t leave anything in the speed category because its top speed is around 155 mph.

The Verdict

Sure it’s expensive, but if you’re CEO who earns bigtime, there’s no way that you should pass up this car. If I were you, I would take a close look at it because this thing is a winner.

[Photo: AutoSpectator]

If there ever was a name that has continuously resonated throughout the auto industry this year, that name would be the Hyundai Genesis. It came from out of nowhere, and it sort of started from scratch. When the Genesis was launched, the market was not ready for a Hyundai luxury car.

This new model came out as a challenge to the many already-established luxury automakers and to the many non-believers and doubters that the car has already converted since its launch. The powerful engine choices have awed car enthusiasts (in fact, its 4.6-Liter Tau V8 engine has made it to the Top 10 in Ward’s Auto World). Plus, its ultra luxurious features that match those of the top in the luxury market (with a great part of the price slashed), many luxury car lovers have learned to welcome and actually love the Genesis. Needless to say, it has brought a lot of glamour to the Hyundai brand and to Korean automakers in general.

And to celebrate the Genesis, Hyundai sent out a press release commending its flagship sedan and showing to the auto world just how many awards the Genesis has already gotten for itself since its launch. These awards are as follows:

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

The Hyundai Genesis indeed came, saw, and conquered. But it’s not yet the end; Hyundai seems to have some more surprises left with the Genesis’s sibling, the Equus. This time, we won’t be surprised and we will be ready when the said car comes!

Check out the complete press release at PR Newswire.

Thirty vehicles have already been announced as candidates to compete for the 2010 Car of the Year title. The candidates range from mini-cars geared towards fuel efficiency to saloons focused on luxury and power.

The candidates have been chosen according to three criteria. First, they’re new models. Second, they’re available in at least five European markets at the time of voting. And third, they have foreseeable sales of at least 5000 units per year.

Last year, the title was given to the 2009 Opel Insignia sedan. As of now, although only 30 vehicles have been initially announced, there could be other candidates added to the list before the cut-off. The winner will be announced on November 30, and the panel who will determine the winner will be composed of more than 50 members from various automotive fields in different European countries.

Here’s the initial list of the candidates:

BMW Z4
Chevrolet Cruze
Citroen C3 Picasso
Ford Ka
Honda Insight
Hyundai i20
Hyundai ix55
Kia Sorento
Kia Soul
Land Rover Discovery IV
Lexus RX 450h
Mazda3
Mercedes E-Class
Mitsubishi Colt
Nissan 370Z
Nissan Cube
Opel/Vauxhall Astra
Peugeot 3008
Porsche Panamera
Renault Scenic
Seat Exeo
Skoda Yeti
Subaru Legacy
Suzuki Alto/Nissan Pixo
Toyota Avensis
Toyota iQ
Toyota Prius
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Toyota Verso
Volkswagen Polo

For more details, check out Car of the Year’s official website.