Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Crossovers/CUVs, Supercars, Audi, BMW, Buick, GM, Maserati
Playboy names hottest cars of '08, crowns Audi R8
Since 1953, thousands of beautiful models have posed for Hef's Playboy magazine, and yet the R-rated publication prides itself on giving "readers" more than just a bunch of naked women in various poses. To celebrate its diversity of content, the bunny has penned its hottest new rides of 2008. If it wasn't already obvious that Mr. Hefner had a passion for nice curves, his publication's selections for the best transportation on four wheels hints at broader appeal than the female persuasion. Playboy chose the Audi R8 as its car of the year, citing a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds as its main attraction. The even better looking Maserati GranTurismo took the best sports couple category, and the hot new Cadillac CTS took sports sedan honors. Playboy's entire list of winners, accompanied by it's official press release, is available after the jump. Check it out and tell us if you think The Girls Next Door wrote the description for the CTS.
[Source: Playboy]
PRESS RELEASE
Playboy Crowns the Hottest Cars of 2008
Top Honors Go to Audi R8
CHICAGO, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Which cars will be turning heads on the street this year? According to Playboy's "2008 Cars of the Year," a high-performance hybrid surges past competitors, a European import squeezes to the top, and a luxury carmaker provides one of the most fuel efficient and affordable vehicles on the road.
The selected cars were chosen by an expert team of automotive writers who traveled the world and test drove every new model hitting the showroom floor this year. The vehicles were taken on the sharpest turns, most challenging curves, and the steepest hills to properly separate the superlative from the mediocre. The vehicles featured in Playboy's January issue (on newsstands and at http://www.playboydigital.com/ Friday, December 7) include:
PLAYBOY'S 2008 CAR OF THE YEAR: Audi R8
This mid engine sexpot boasts a 420 bhp, 4.2-liter V8, and hits zero to 60 in a sexy 4.4 seconds
BEST LUXURY SPORTS COUPE: Maserati GranTurismo
Features a 405 bhp, 4.2-liter double overhead cam V8 packs 339 foot-pounds of torque
SMARTEST PURCHASE: Smart Fortwo
Sits eight feet by eight inches long and weighs a whopping 1,807 pounds
BEST SPORTS SEDAN: Cadillac CTS
With a base engine of a 3.6-liter V6 that develops 263bhp, it is just as quick as the CTS-V
BEST SUV: Land Rover LR2
Equipped with a Terrain Response feature that adjusts the AWD and suspension for driving conditions
BEST CROSSOVER: Buick Enclave CXL
Proudly sits on 19-inch wheels and is available with a luxury package including articulated headlights
BEST CONVERTIBLE: BMW 335i
Not only does it whip from zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds, its light-weight steel top retracts in 22 seconds
BEST EARTH-DAY CAR: Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec
Outfitted with three catalysts and a filter in the exhaust that erases every trace of smoke and N2O
BEST PINT-SIZE PERFORMANCE: Volvo C30
Dances on the sporty side with its full-width glass hatch and clipped Manx bobtail
Go to http://www.playboy.com/caroftheyear for criteria used to select these cars, an extended photo gallery, and a chance to vote for your favorite machine of 2008.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Realitycheck 2:15PM (12/08/2007)
So many people can´t be wrong, Top Gear, fifth gear, and a hundred auto-journalist living my dream life, looks like the R8 it´s really good, but don´t get me started on those side vents painted in silver, ughf.
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B-Rad 2:23PM (12/08/2007)
I like how the Prius didn't make the list.
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Mike 2:39PM (12/08/2007)
Honestly, if they're going to half-ass it that badly, why put out a press release at all.
"With a base engine of a 3.6-liter V6 that develops 263bhp, it is just as quick as the CTS-V" - Oh, really?
"...a high-performance hybrid surges past competitors" - Funny, seems to me that there's no hybrid even on the list
Stick to what you know, Playboy. Hint: it's not cars.
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egallina 12:21PM (12/09/2007)
I couldn't agree with you more Mike! Since when is a Smart ForTwo "sit eight feet by eight inches long" ?
Vincenzo 2:46PM (12/08/2007)
Yeah,
Even when they select a pair of jeans, it won't be down-to-earth Levi's, but $400 Dior that is essentially the same thing.
Who reads Playboy nowadays when you can find stunning naked ladies everywhere on the Internet?
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Jerk Face 3:08PM (12/08/2007)
For no money at that!
John 3:24PM (12/08/2007)
You like knowing that those ladies were handled by some old guy first?
brigg o'dread 6:07PM (12/08/2007)
I'm surprised they didn't pick the brand new Ford Viagra....
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Gregg 6:16PM (12/08/2007)
You know, disparaging remarks and all that noted, Hef is in his 80s, still able to plow twenty-something blondes whenever he feels like it...and they are more likely to be paying him than vice versa. Not a bad deal. And of course he doesn't look a day over 70. That we could all enjoy life so much (especially a long life) and comment on cars as well.
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WillDaThrill 12:00AM (12/09/2007)
What else would a whore do for fame and money? If he didn't have money and ties to the entertainment industry, he'd just be another filthy old man who no one would give a second look to.
Ah, money changes everything.
raz 12:29PM (12/10/2007)
What is the name of the girl way on the right?
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