A leading UAE-based magazine, CAR Middle East, has named the Chevrolet Lumina SS as the ‘Best Sports Saloon’ for 2007 as part of its annual ‘Car of the Year’ awards. This is the same car that will be arriving in the U.S. as the Pontiac G8 GT, so it’s good to see the car win some international titles before it even arrives.

A jury of six regional automotive experts carefully picked the winners from 125 cars in total judging on quality, innovation, engineering, style and relevance to the Middle East market to crown the winners.

The Lumina SS, powered by a 6.0L V8 engine, now delivers standard power of 360hp at 5,700rpm and torque of 530Nm. Once again, the car’s standout feature is the oodles of performance it delivers for relatively little money. As one of the judges put it, “no other car offers this level of practicality, performance, and potential tail-sliding fun for the money.”