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2005 9th Annual International Car of the Year Awards
by Martha Hindes

MOST SEX APPEAL - SPORTS CAR OF THE YEAR
2005 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Sports Car- 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
Sports cars reign in the world of sex appeal. Few things get the heart pumping so wildly as climbing inside one to take a drive at breathtaking speeds, throwing the six-speed manual into gear as it carves around road curves with tenacious grip. In a field of legendary two-seat performance blasters, our Sports Car - Most Sex Appeal winner is -- Taa Daa -- the Chevrolet Corvette. With 400 mighty horses under the hood pumped by a new 6-liter, LS2 V-8, this winner thrives on a limited thirst, despite its astronomical 186 miles per hour top speed. It strides in small car territory at 18 to 28 miles per gallon, so good in fact there's no gas guzzler tax for the penalty of enjoying the good life behind the wheel.

Restyled inside and out, it's the sixth generation ("C6") of the mighty, all-American sport car, in both hard top and convertible versions with a load of amenities. Long, subtle body crease lines hint at speed in motion and highlight the new 'Vette's more classic look, tapered for minimal wind resistance and authoritative stance. Trimmed by five inches in length and an inch narrower in width, it abandons its traditional, wind-grabbing pop-up headlamps. High intensity Xenon ones now are molded into the sleek hoodline and don't hide when they're off. The coupe's top panel is removable on sunny days. Performance is boosted by tech advances as well, as it gobbles up roadway on 18-inch (front) and 19-inch (rear) wheels, and three different suspension settings, with available four-speed automatic.

Honorable Mentions:

Ford Mustang
The latest generation of Ford's famed pony car dips deep into its legendary heritage for inspiration, accompanied by haunting memories of Steve McQueen as Inspector Bullitt and his fabled San Francisco car chase. Longer, stronger with two engine flavors hitting 300 hp at top, it rear-drives its way to new legend status.

Chrysler Crossfire

With rear drive punching it forward like a fist unleashing power, the long-nosed Crossfire inherits its genes from the Mercedes-Benz SLK. For '05, it rides on a hand-built, supercharged, super performing V-6 engine that belts out 330 hp, with rear spoiler grounding it at speed for added grunt. In newly topless roadster trim, it combines sultry with freewheeling abandon.

Car of the Year
Chrysler 300C

Truck of the Year
Hummer H2 SUT

Most Sex Appeal/Sports Car
Chevy Corvette

Most Spirited/Entry-Level
MINI Cooper Convertible

Most Compatible/Minivan
Chrysler Town & Country

Most Versatile/Crossover
Dodge Magnum
Most Respected/Luxury Car
Jaguar XJ LWB
Most Athletic/Pickup Truck
Ford F-250 Superduty

Most Resourceful/SUV
Land Rover LR3

2005 ICOTY Awards Links