This post is part of AOL Money & Finance's Best & Worst of 2007. Voting has now closed and readers have chosen the Cadillac CTS as the hottest automobile of the year. Be sure to let us know in the comments if you are pleased with this result.

What is it about a car that makes it "hot" for you? Is it slinky lines, European styling and a deep throaty growl? Perhaps you prefer a ride with all the luxury appointments: leather, navigation, DVD players, and surround sound. Are you the kind of driver that seeks out a pavement-ripping roadster with more horsepower per pound than a F-1 formula racer, or are you more into the touring feel? Whatever your criteria for choosing a hot car, we're asking for your opinions on the following four vehicles, and we like to know which one you'd choose as Hottest Car of the Year for 2007.

There is a bit of a shuffle these days in regard to when manufacturers release their year models, so for comparison I am using what I believe is the latest available production model for each of the four competitors. Please feel free to consider more than just one model year as you make your judgment. I want to know which vehicle make and model you think owns the road.

Venture capital is flowing, engineers are chomping at the bit and layman sources claim that mechanical components of the Chevy Volt are already being road tested on the streets of Detroit. General Motors (NYSE: GM) is not letting anything get in the way of its plans to place a successful electric car on the streets of America and the world by 2010. A report by RedHerring outlines the broad and powerful collection of top tier companies which are coming together to help GM bring its mission to fruition.

Two new research projects targeted towards electric car development were recently announced by General Electric (NYSE: GE) and are specifically geared towards the needs of the Chevy Volt. GE has been asked to design high density electric capacitors and hybrid drive train components in pursuit of our first generation of truly plug-in electric cars. It would seem that GM, GE and the Department of Energy are not willing to settle for an automobile with simple hybrid status. The goal would appear to be full blown electric automobiles at a price within reach of the public. Once the car is built, add the current advances in solar technology and you'll have an automobile that can be charged from a solar powered battery array at home.

Although united in their stance against government dialog regarding Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards (CAFE), General Motors Corp.(NYSE: GM) and Toyota Motors (NYSE: TM) are squaring off in a head butting match over just exactly how the new vision for hybrid automobiles will take final form. A WSJ.com report (subscription required) briefly examines the differences between the two companies and their visions for target travel range for electric-only vehicles.

Toyota representatives indicate that their tolerance level for electric only travel range is settling into the 10 to 20 mile range while GM executives claim that their target range is closer to 40 miles. The debate seems to be taking place around lithium-ion batteries and the many questions which still remain as to the long term viability of that power source technology. Pointing to the alleged tendency for lithium-ion batteries to overheat, Toyota leadership appears unwilling to state that the technology is fully road ready. GM, for its part, is still investigating its battery options also.

GM executives are a bit perturbed at the apparent lack of media coverage regarding the fact that many of the vehicles which Toyota has leaned upon for its surge ahead of GM in total sales actually have mileage ratings below those of their General Motors counterparts. GM feels that Toyota is simply throwing up a smoke screen to the facts and is muddying the common waters in the pursuit of a viable electric vehicle. GM also seems to believe that Toyota is simply attempting to obscure the facts regarding actual over the road mileage performances of both companies.

We are still a long way from seeing effective electric vehicle deployment but all parties involved are to be commended for their efforts. There are an abundance of options and opportunities to be exploited now in the electric vehicle arena and given the steep increase in crude prices, those opportunities shall only become more lucrative. It is of major importance now that the big players refrain from corporate politics and simply stick to the business at hand.