Motor Trend Magazine has named the Nissan GT-R as its 2009 car of the year.   Motor Trend said the GT-R offers a world class level of performance at a much more affordable price.

"The Nissan GT-R rewrites the rule book for high-performance vehicles," said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend. "This technologically advanced coupe delivers a level of performance, handling, and efficiency that rivals the world's best-known supercars, at a fraction of the price."                     The GT-R, with a base price of $77,840, is the sixth generation of Nissan's flagship sports car and the first to come from a "clean slate" design, with the previous versions based on Japanese-market models.

      Other contenders for the award included the Acura TL, Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 135i, Dodge Challenger R/T, Honda Fit, Hyundai Genesis, Jaguar XF, Lincoln MKS, Mazda6, Nissan GT-R, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix and Volkswagen Passat CC.

      Last year's winner was the Cadillac CTS. Last month, the magazine named the 2009 Subaru Forester as its sport utility vehicle of the year.