Cars of the Year 2011 Featured in Playboy's January Issue

Sleek New Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Takes Top Spot

CHICAGO - December 18, 2010: The last year has marked an incredible rebirth of the auto industry-one of the most high-profile industries in the world-and some of the most stellar rides on the road right now are featured in Playboy's "Cars of the Year 2011" in the magazine's January issue.

In September 2010, auto sales in the U.S. were up 29 percent over the same month a year earlier, and as the industry continues to rebound and bottom lines improve, automakers are offering customers endless amounts of speed, game-changing green technology and pure pulchritude. Automotive Contributing Editor Ken Gross and the editors of Playboy piloted everything new on four wheels seeking the best of the best, and this year's crop of machines has driven them crazy. Following is a list of the featured cars:

PLAYBOY'S 2011 CAR OF THE YEAR: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
The new SLS AMG perfectly marries the Mercedes-Benz gullwing's original 1950s DNA with modern performance

BEST HYBRID: Honda CR-Z
Information junkies will be seduced as this car tells you everything, and its great looks stop women in their tracks

BEST SPORTS SEDAN: Aston Martin Rapide

BEST SPORTS COUPE: Cadillac CTS-V
When Cadillac can build a car this good, we needn't worry about General Motors' survival. On the road, the sheer power-556 hp, 551 foot-pounds of torque-is intoxicating

BEST CONVERTIBLE: Porsche Boxster Spyder
The classic German carmaker took its brilliant Boxster convertible and made it even better

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Mazda2
Thirty-five highway mpg in a sharp little package with plenty of room for four for under 16 grand? We're sold

BEST SUV: Jeep Grand Cherokee
This is the first Grand Cherokee that duplicates the heft, feel and ambience of Britain's best-and it's got a Hemi

BEST COMMUTER: Nissan Leaf
Nissan's tiny Leaf is the first affordable full-electric plug-in that drives like a sprightly coupe

BEST PLUG-IN: Chevrolet Volt
The Volt can do 300 miles without a fill-up or charge, and with a 100 mph top speed, it can be your only car

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED: Hyundai Equus
The Equus was designed to compete against the best Lexus and the Germans have to offer-for about 20 grand less