The powerful Nissan GT-R and redesigned Dodge Ram 1500 were honored last night as car and truck of the year, respectively, in front of a packed house at the 13th annual International Car of the Year (ICOTY) awards at the MGM Grand here in Detroit.

Part video game and part low-flying jet, the Nissan GT-R suspends disbelief one moment, and then instantly catapults you back to reality. Not unlike the latest Xbox or PlayStation driving game, it makes going absurdly fast a matter of stomping on the gas, steering and banging off shifts as fast as you can grab the paddles. At the same time, it never hesitates to remind you that underneath its video game-inspired cockpit, exterior and dashboard display, is one of the most impressive mechanical creations on earth. And though it may not ooze the “personality” of sexier European competitors, this matters little with the GT-R, which impresses instead with a seemingly unlimited supply of attitude, grip and pure, unapologetic thrust.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 features a more aerodynamic design, rear coil-spring suspension and a new 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that delivers 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 4 percent improvement in fuel economy. If you're looking for a manly ride, it gets no manlier than this full-size pickup. Even so, it’s quite refined. A complete interior overhaul brings sophisticated gauges, soft-touch materials, and plenty of brightwork to the cabin. Of course, a pickup's primary job is to carry, not coddle. Storage spaces abound: under the rear seats; in the doors, the center console, and the dual glove boxes; and within the new drainable, lockable "RamBox" bins in the bed walls.

Founder Courtney Caldwell started ICOTY in 1996 with the idea of creating a Hollywood-style awards ceremony for the automotive industry. Its mission is to honor new-year model vehicles that reach beyond power and performance by tapping into lifestyle compatibility.

Winners are selected by the ICOTY jury, a group of 16 nationally renowned journalists and editors (including yours truly), whose final ballots are tabulated by J.D. Power and Associates to ensure accuracy and credibility.

In addition to the top car and truck of the year, awards were presented for the top environmentally friendly vehicles on the market. Created to “honor vehicles driven by a power source that help reduce global warming, are conducive to promoting a cleaner environment and support the mission to achieve energy independence through alternative sources,” the first Earth, Wind and Power award went to the Volkswagen Jetta TDI in the car category while the winning truck was the Ford Escape Hybrid.

Honda received the 2nd annual Earth Angel Award, honoring the company’s dedication to creating environmentally progressive vehicles, as well as its earth-friendly initiatives.

And the Lifetime Legend award went to veteran automotive journalist Warren Brown. Previous winners include Denise McCluggage, David E. Davis, Jr., Jim Dunne, Jerry Flint and Thom L. Bryant. Brown has been writing his “On Wheels” column in Washington, D.C., for almost 30 years and is quite well respected in the industry.