Volkswagen is usually known for its simple, basic, iconic styling; the classic Beetle and the previous-generation Jetta are perfect case studies. Which is why the svelte and streamlined CC – known overseas as the Passat CC – has come as a refreshing change of pace for the German automaker. We're not the only ones who think so, either, as the four-door coupe from Wolfsburg has been accumulating design awards the world over.

Adding to the list that already includes the coveted iF Product Design Award and the Australian International Design Award, the Volkswagen CC has now been awarded the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. The prize has bestowed annually since 1955 by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, the legendary design museum housed in the reclaimed Zollverein coal mine.

Edmunds.com has announced the winners of its first ever Consumers’ Top Rated Vehicle Awards. Eight different categories including performance, comfort, fuel-economy, fun to drive, interior and exterior design, quality and reliability were all taken into account.

Audi led the list with four awards while Toyota, Lexus and Chevrolet tied for second place with two awards each. Follow the jump to see who won!

Award Winners:
Convertible Under $35,000 - Smart Fortwo
Convertible Over $35,000 - Audi TT
Coupe Under $25,000 - Saturn Astra
Coupe $25K-$35K - Audi TT
Coupe $35K-$45K - Audi A5
Coupe Over $45,000 - Chevrolet Corvette
Sedan Under $15,000 - Scion XD
Sedan $15K-$25K - Hyundai Azera
Sedan $25K-$35K - Toyota Avalon
Sedan $35K-$45K - Audi A6
Sedan Over $45,000 - Lexus GS 460
Hybrid - Mercury Mariner Hybrid
SUV Under $25,000 - Jeep Patriot
SUV $25K-$35K - Buick Enclave
SUV $35K-$45K - Lincoln MKX
SUV Over $45,000 - Lexus LX 570
Compact Truck - Toyota Tacoma
Large Truck - Chevrolet Avalanche
Minivan/Van - Mazda Mazda5
Wagon Under $35,000 - Volkswagen Passat
Wagon Over $35,000 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Source: Edmunds

Audi's R8 has been named World Performance Car and World Car Design of the Year by an international jury at the 2008 New York Auto Show.

Audi also swept the same two awards a year ago, when the new TT was named 2007 World Car Design of the Year and the RS4 honored as World Performance Car. This year, the new S5 was also among the finalists for World Performance Car. The awards were announced by the World Car of the Year jury, which is a group of 47 journalists representing 24 countries.

The jurists noted that the R8 has "solid credentials on paper thanks to its mid-mounted 420-horsepower V8 engine and aluminum construction. But where it excels is in the exceptional balance, refinement and control that grant the driver the confidence to push to the limit. It has astonishing precision for a car of its size category."

Source: Edmunds Inside Line

A New Zealand driver who used a fake car seat belt to fool police was killed when it failed him in a head-on crash, local media reported Saturday.

Ivan Segedin refused to wear a seat belt while driving and had been fined 32 times in the past five years for not wearing one, a coroner's court heard Friday.

Segedin, 39, died in a crash on July 22 last year from multiple injuries when his car crossed the road and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle on North Island, coroner Carla na Nagara said.

Fake seat belts do not save lives.

Source: International Herald Times

America's premiere gentleman's magazine, Playboy Magazine, has picked their top car models of 2007. They aren't new to the car world and plan on getting even more involved, announcing earlier this year that they would sponsor no fewer than six cars in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and the Grand-Am Cup Series.

Without further delay, because we know you'll be too busy looking at the pictures in the magazine, here are the top picks:

BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Ford Shelby GT500
BEST TWO-WAY PLAYER: VW Eos
BEST SPORTS COUPE: Porsche 911 Turbo
BEST SUV: Cadillac Escalade
BEST PICKUP: 2007 Toyota Tundra
BEST ROADSTER: Saturn Sky Red Line
BEST CROSS-DRESSER: Mazda CX-7
THE AL GORE SPECIAL: Lexus GS 450h
PLAYBOY'S 2007 CAR OF THE YEAR: BMW Z4M Coupe

Good to see some domestics getting some time in the spotlight!