Ten ‘Sexiest Cars’ for 2006 May Surprise You
Sometimes it’s more interesting to hear what non-automotive professionals think about cars than those that are neck-deep into the industry, always looking to the next model year or beyond for something to stimulate the senses.
To this end Road & Travel Magazine, a U.S.-based ezine that specializes in travel, via planes, trains and automobiles picked its top-10 sexiest cars for its 10th Annual “Sexy Car Buyer’s Guide”.
Some of the choices were unexpected, either due to their overall configuration or just because of their general age. For instance, the Dodge Charger, a four-door sedan, was chosen as one of the ten finalists. It’s a new car, but if left up to automotive journalists it’s entirely possible its 300C SRT8 sibling would have gotten the nod, or more likely Mercedes-Benz’s new CLS, Bentley’s Continental Flying Spur, Audi’s S8 or Maserati’s Quattroporte.
And we know that the ezine’s sexiest car winners had nothing to do with rear seat spaciousness, because amongst the remaining two-door finalists were seven two-seat models, including the BMW Z4, Chevrolet Corvette, Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Nissan 350Z Roadster and Pontiac Solstice.
As for the remaining two, Ford’s popular Mustang made the grade, a model that’s available in coupe and convertible form, plus, Hyundai’s Tiburon, the only coupe and oldest car on the list. While some of the automakers whose cars were chosen for top-ten status would have expected as much, no doubt Hyundai execs are thrilled with the unexpected result. It’s not that the Tiburon isn’t deserving of such attention, as it is still, despite having first been introduced over four years ago as a 2003 model, an attractive car, it’s just that not a single Porsche was mentioned, nor a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar or Aston Martin.
“We are delighted to have the Tiburon included with such highly-regarded sports cars,” commented Hyundai Auto Canada President and CEO, Steve Kelleher. “The 2006 Hyundai Tiburon delivers a perfect combination of stylish design, high quality and outstanding performance in a range of vehicles intended to appeal across all budgets.”
The criteria for RTM’s 10th Annual Sexy Car Buyer’s Guide has nothing to do with value, mind you, only “pure sex appeal”, according to a release.
“Sports Cars are all about the sensations they inspire from how the supple leather feels on our skin to its aromatic splendor, from the youthful spirit felt driving one to the sun on our back and wind in our hair,” stated RTM’s Editor-in-chief Courtney Caldwell. “Sports cars are about fantasy and self image. Just looking at one incites erotic thoughts and visions of grandeur. Owning one turns those images into reality!” she added.