Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Named 'Car of the Year' at Spike TV's AutoRox

Edgey Photo of Z06

Ice Cube, 'Three 6 Mafia,' and Rock Super-Group 'Camp Freddy' Rock Downtown Las Vegas in Spike TV's Annual Auto Celebration

LAS VEGAS, April 8 -- Spike TV honored and celebrated America's passion for the automobile last night from the Fremont Experience in downtown Las Vegas with a special celebration featuring awards for the best cars in 2006, live performances from some of music's biggest names, and a special moment honoring one of the industry's true legends.

Hosted by Ice Cube, the night culminated with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 driving off with the night's biggest honor of "Car of the Year." The Corvette also cruised away with "Best Sports Car" and "Deal of the Year."

Ice Cube did double-duty as he not only hosted, but for the first time ever, performed "Chrome and Paint" and "Why We Thugs?" live to the packed crowd at the Fremont Experience. Academy Awards winners Three 6 Mafia performed "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" for the first time live since winning their prestigious award at the Oscars a few weeks back. One of music's hottest groups, rock royalty super-group Camp Freddy performed Cheap Trick's "Surrender."

Former Chrysler Chairman and CEO Lee Iacocca received the "Icon Award" honoring a living individual whose remarkable contribution in the automotive arena has become legendary the world over. Kiefer Sutherland of Fox's mega-hit series, 24, presented the award to Iacocca.

  The winners for Spike TV's AutoRox include the following:

  CAR OF THE YEAR
  Chevrolet Corvette Z06

  BEST TRUCK
  Honda Ridgeline

  BEST LUXURY CAR
  Audi A8

  BEST SUV
  Land Rover Range Rover Sport

  HOTTEST EXOTIC
  Bugatti Veyron

  BEST SPORTS CAR
  Chevrolet Corvette Z06

  BEST TUNER
  Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

  DEAL OF THE YEAR
  Chevrolet Corvette Z06

  BEST CONCEPT CAR
  Chevrolet Camaro

  BEST MUSCLE CAR (viewers' choice)
  Dodge Charger SRT8

  The winners at AutoRox were decided by the AutoRox Select Committee:

Jin Kim, Calty Design Research; Bryan Nesbitt, Executive Director, GM Europe Design; Dan Sims, General Manager, Mitsubishi Motors R&D America; Andy Wheel, Director, Land Rover Advanced Design; George Barris, president, Barris Kustom Productions; Marek Djordjevic, president, Marek Djordjevic Design (Rolls-Royce Phantom); Mike Helton, president, NASCAR; Mark McCready, Director, Pricing Analysis and Market Strategy, CarsDirect.com; Steve Potter, VP and General Manager, Lime Rock Park; Barry Toepke, Los Angeles Auto Show; Eric Adams, auto editor, Popular Science magazine; Eddie Alterman, editor-in- chief, MPH magazine; AJ Baime, articles editor, Playboy; Dan Carney, freelance auto writer, Tom duPont, duPont Registry; Howard Lim, Sr. VP International Group, Primedia; Eric Mayne, auto writer, Wards Auto World; Kevin Smith, editorial director, Edmunds.com; Mark Solheim, auto writer, Kiplinger's Personal Finance; Lawrence Ulrich, freelance auto writer; Mark Vaughn, west coast editor, Autoweek; Kim Wolfkill, senior editor, Road & Track; Johnny O'Connell, driver, Team Corvette; Danica Patrick, driver, Rahal-Letterman (IRL); Ivan Stewart, Protruck Racing; and Rod Alberts, executive director, NAIAS.

Dave Broome ("Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope," "The Biggest Loser" "The Radio Music Awards") and Casey Patterson, Senior Vice President of Event Production and Talent, Development, Spike TV, are Executive Producers for AutoRox. Allen Newman serves as Executive in Charge of Production and Ryan Polito is Director.