While most readers don't peruse the pages of Playboy for insight into the latest car models, the premier Entertainment for Men magazine does happen to have quite a bit of insight into a world of style and elegance beyond most of our wildest imaginations. And it just so happens that we agree with their unique look at everything on four wheels. Taking the top spot was Porsche's Panamera Turbo->ke1840, thanks to the German sports car maker devotion to innovation and sophistication along with insane amounts of power. The Best Convertible award went to the Ferrari California->ke3183 with its unique styling and retractable metal roof.

The Best Horsepower Value was deemed to be the Nismo 370Z while the front wheel drive Mazdaspeed3 was named the Best Bang for your Buck and Audi's diesel sipping A3->ke1086 TDI became the best alternatively fueled vehicle. Bold styling and a twin turbocharged 365 HP ECOBoost six cylinder helped the Ford Taurus SHO to win the Best Reborn Beauty award. An unlikely candidate for the crossover segment, but BMW's 5-Series GT was Playboy's look good while carrying a lot of stuff was the best CUV. Not only is the Ford Fusion->ke433 Hybrid the most fuel efficient mid size sedan on the market, but it also won Mr. Hefner's Mean and Green award while the Mercedes Benz E 63 AMG took home the award for best sports sedan with its wide fenders and hand built V8. Now that Playboy has announced the winners, we can't wait to see the spread.

Press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

PLAYBOY ANNOUNCES ITS HOTTEST CARS FOR 2010

NEW PORSCHE PANAMERA TAKES TOP SPOT

Despite the industry gloom and doom, extraordinary things are happening in the car business and Playboy honoring the new years’ most innovative and stylistic automotive achievements. According to the magazine’s “Cars of the Year 2010” feature, a hybrid reflects the current green engineering renaissance, an iconic convertible returns to the spotlight, and a new model from a European heavyweight redefines cool.

The honored cars were selected by a team of automotive experts and writers who traveled the globe in search of the best vehicles on the road. From the famous Autobahn to the highways of California, Playboy’s top picks were tested on tough terrain and endured grueling performance challenges to come out on top. The featured cars include:

PLAYBOY’S 2010 CAR OF THE YEAR: Porsche Panamera Turbo

Germany’s top sports car maker delivers its first sedan packed with innovation and sophistication

BEST CONVERTIBLE: Ferrari California

This new iteration of the sleek Italian classic sports several Ferrari firsts, such as a retractable hardtop, a front-engine V8 with direct injection, and a launch-control system that zooms you from zero to 60 in under four seconds

BEST HORSEPOWER VALUE: Nissan Nismo 370Z

A performance bargain, this is the best Z yet with a beautiful shape, punchy throttle and low price

BEST BANG FOR YOU BUCK: Mazdaspeed3

With plenty of power and a price tag below $26K (fully loaded), this car rips up turns and delivers on the acceleration front

BEST DIESEL CAR: Audi A3 TDI

The poster child for clean diesel, this surprisingly roomy hatchback exhibits eye-pleasing packaging and phenomenal MPG

BEST REBORN BEAUTY: Ford Taurus SHO

Brawny good looks, all wheel drive and a torrid 365 bhp V6 with EcoBoost put a great new face on a proven winner

BEST CROSSOVER: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

With roomy backseats and a clever two-piece tailgate that can function as either a hatchback or a trunk, this GT is a fast, go-anywhere, all-purpose utility vehicle

BEST MEAN AND GREEN: Ford Fusion Hybrid

Playboy’s Green Car of the Year is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan available

BEST SPORTS SEDAN: Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG

With a Race Start launch-setting button, V8 engine and optional Night View Assist Plus, this car is meant for the fast lane