In a battle of the sexes, Autobytel’s editor in chief and assistant editor went head to head in a battle to find the hottest cars for 2012.

By price category, Michelle Naranjo, editor in chief, and assistant editor Jeffrey Ross picked from a wide variety of cars during the company’s Valentines Day fun.

Independently of each other, Naranjo and Ross chose their top three in each price bracket, officials explained.

And according to the results, these editors have some different ideas on what makes a car “hot.”

Commenting on the picks, Naranjo said,  “There are a lot of hot options in every price category and any of the cars I have selected would make a Valentine’s sweetheart swoon.”

Following are their top picks for “sexiest” cars of 2012, as well as commentary from the editors:

Under $25K:

He said: Dodge Challenger

"Finally, you can’t overlook the modern muscle cars which define hotness, so my top pick for the hottest car under $25,000 is the 2012 Dodge Challenger. Yes, at $24,995 (not including destination) the Challenger comes in just under this threshold, but it is, by far, one of the best-looking cars on the market… period. If you want more muscle than the base Challenger allows, you can always step up to the SRT8 392 model, but the styling changes very little for the extra $20,000," said Ross.

She said: Ford Mustang

"My favorite pick for the hottest car under $25,000 is a great value for its iconic value alone and it is the Ford Mustang. The V-6 Coupe seats 4 and has the appeal of being fun and sporty. Starting at $22,310, the 2012 Ford Mustang delivers muscle car style with a 305HP engine, 6-speed manual transmission and 17” wheels. While the GT badge will add a lot more horsepower, it will set you back an additional $18,000 which means that the 2012 Ford Mustang V-6 Coupe really delivers bang for your buck," Naranjo explained."

We agree to disagree: Challenger and Mustang
 
$25K to $50K:

He said: BMW 1 Series M Coupe

"BMW is not lacking in regards to hot cars, but if you’re trying to stay under $50,000, then the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is probably the ultimate BMW. At $46,135, there is quite a premium for the 2012 BMW 1 M Coupe over a base 128i, but all of the added styling, performance and handling upgrades make it worth the money for those looking for such a sporty coupe. The biggest performance changes to the 1 M over the standard 1 Series is the 335-horsepower, twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, but for improved handling the car has also been widened by about 2 inches while dropping 11 pounds from the curb weight. Making it a truly hot car, the 1 M features drop-dead gorgeous exterior styling accentuated with wide, rounded fenders and an aggressive body kit that includes a menacing front fascia," Ross noted.

She said: Audi TTS

"My choice for the hottest car under $50,000 has to be the Audi TTS Coupe. At $47,000, the sporty coupe has 2.0L I-4 265HP engine with intercooled turbo and a 6-speed auto-shift manual transmission with overdrive. Inside, the 2012 Audi TTS Coupe has seats and driving features that show that Audi had real drivers in mind when putting this package together. Plus, it comes in that amazing Solar Orange. Nothing says hot more than fast and orange," Naranjo surmised.

We agree to disagree: 1 Series M Coupe and TTS

$50K to $85K:

He said: Audi A7

"Four-door coupes have grown to become very popular over the last eight years with variations ranging from affordable and entry-level models up to elegant and luxurious cars. Fitting into the latter category, the 2012 Audi A7 helps define this design trend, which is characterized by its low, sleek roofline, and with its wide, sexy body lines, it is hard to think of a hotter car in this price range. Starting at $59,520, the A7 provides plenty of luxury for its price point with a unique styling that allows it to stand apart from other luxury sport sedans that are out there. Those looking for even more sport should be sure to check out the Audi S7 although the price of this car may push it up to our next price point category," said. Ross.

She said: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

"The new American luxury icon by Cadillac takes a sporty twist with the CTS-V Coupe and it is my pick as the hottest car in this price segment. There’s a CTS-V sedan and there’s a CTS-V wagon but nothing says hot like a luxury comfort form behind the wheel of a V-8, 556HP engine for $63,215. The 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe has an aggressive stance just standing still and looks and feels amazing on the road," Naranjo noted.

We agree to disagree: A7 and CTS-V Coupe
 
$85K and up:

He said: Porsche 911

"The Porsche 911 has always been one of the sexiest sports cars in the world, but the redesigned 2012 model kicks things up a notch with styling that pays homage to the past while leading the way into the future. The new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S models will feature the new "991" styling, while the other 911 models (seven to be exact) will continue to use the "997" design. In addition to its hot new looks, the new 911 will offer more power and more interior space than the current car for better performance and comfort. If nothing else, the 911 is one of the hottest cars on the market because you can get it in a variety of models from a normal Carrera to a track-ready GT3," Ross noted.

She said: Ferrari FF

"Of the coupes to beat all coupes, my choice for the hottest car is the Ferrari FF.  At $295,000, the 2012 Ferrari FF is equipped with a 6.3L, 12-cylinder engine and the all wheel drive 2+2 coupe is equally at home in the snow as it is on a track. The Ferrari FF has the confidence to carry it all off with a look that I think that makes it absolutely the hottest car that can be had," Naranjo concluded.

We agree to disagree: Porsche 911 and Ferrari FF

For a full list and information on the Autobytel editors’ picks, see here.