Nissan Partners With Sports Illustrated on 2011 Swimsuit Issue

Just the Facts:

• Nissan has partnered with Sports Illustrated to launch the "Model Search" contest for the 2011 swimsuit issue.
• Part of the effort includes a comparison test between the human models and the Nissan Juke.
• In one series of videos, the Juke and "Amber" are pitted against each other in such categories as curb appeal, acceleration, aerodynamics and agility.

FRANKLIN, Tennessee — Nissan has partnered with Sports Illustrated to launch the "Model Search" contest for SI's 2011 swimsuit issue. Part of the effort includes a comparison test between bikini-clad models and the Nissan Juke.

The "model vs. model" contest allows participants to pick the woman who will get a "guaranteed feature" in the 2012 swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated.

In one comparison test, a model named "Amber" is pitted against the turbocharged Juke in such categories as curb appeal, acceleration, aerodynamics and agility. The narrator, who is identified as the "Juke Guy," helpfully explains what is going on and defines such automotive terms as "drag."

"Drag is where boys wear lady things," he intones.

In a statement, Nissan said the "campaign measures all key attributes of both car and lovely lady."

The videos place Amber in a wind tunnel with the Juke or in what appears to be a zero-60 mph acceleration contest. Amber wears platform shoes and a bikini. Specifications posted underneath the video say the Juke churns out 188 horsepower, while Amber clocks in at 1.2 horsepower. The Juke beats Amber in this particular contest — at least on paper. In the curb appeal category, the Juke is described as having "muscular curvature," while Amber has "plenty of curvature."

The contest starts today and runs through March 9. The winner will be announced on March 10. Voting can be done online.

Inside Line says: Definitely a cheeky campaign. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent