Lexus LS 600hL - COTY Contender

It reaches up to 140 mph, possesses a V8 engine, churns out over 430 hp (from electric and gas-powered motors combined), and hits 60 mph in approximately 5.5 seconds. And its... a hybrid?

That's right. Lexus' luxurious beast, a long base, hybrid edition is not only it's largest car model, but one of it's most powerful. Remarkably, the 8 cylinder hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain puts out power approximately on par with the 12 cylinder Mercedes, BMW, and Audi models, and in most cases for less money as well. Technology is abound in this car, and not just in the powertrain: the LS 600hL features an Advanced Parking Guidance System, a feature that parallel parks for you at the touch of a button, making this the perfect cars for city-dwellers. Apparently, Lexus agrees too, as they introduced the vehicle in New York City, the nightmare of parallel-parkers everywhere.

Fuel savings, whether substantial or not, are not the biggest allure of the hybrid. The reward of the hybrid is that emissions are at least 70% lower than any other car in it's class, earning this beaut the official SULEV rating - Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle.

The interior is undeniably indulgent, offering (optional) heated and cooled reclining rear seats, a "cool box" (read mini fridge),
electric sunshades, rear seat audio controls, and every other luxurious feature Lexus engineers could think up.

This car packs a lot of prestige, power, and panache in a package that's relatively light on the emissions. That earns our respect, and unsurprisingly, our nomination for Car of the Year. So if you're a fan of this benign beast, remember to consider your vote for the Lexus LS600 hL for Car of the Year. Voting will be held near the end of the year.


Photos courtesy of Lexus

COTY Contender: Mansory Conquistador

German tuners Mansory have taken the ultimate status symbol, the Rolls Royce Phantom, and modified the heck out of it. A gutsy modification needs a gutsy engine, and the Conquistador's certainly got one. Mansory's Conquistador, as it is oddly named, has an upgraded engine allowing for a top speed of 168 mph, versus approximately 149 for the plain-jane standard Phantom. Further putting to shame the standard Rolls (if you can call it standard), the Conquistador features carbon fiber trim and couture-quality fabrics and leathers throughout. While some may prefer the more traditional trim of the original Rolls Royce version, the Mansory Conquistador no doubt has its fans, and for a reason. Mansory has performed a highly successful conversion, with tasteful touches abound, including the best use of carbon fiber we've seen in a car yet. And if you thought it wasn't possible for the finishing and material of the Phantom to get any better, you thought wrong. Every inch of the Mansory Conquistador is carefully polished, and wrapped in gleaming carbon fiber, plush fabric, buttery leather, Alcantara, and subtle strips of blue light forming logos and lines accent the cabin which provide a unique and mesmerizing ambiance.

It may be early, and perhaps seem pre-mature, but the decision is a no-brainer: for an unrivaled level of finish, style, and luxury, the Mansory Conquistador is our first contender for Reporting Luxury Car of the Year. Sometime nearing the end of the year we will get your votes on which of our candidates will win the first ever Reporting Luxury Car of the Year Award.

Picture via Carscoop See more pictures there.