A study commissioned by the ultra-exclusive British insurer Hiscox proves beyond all doubt that supercars turn women on, and econo-cars just don’t.

David Moxon subjected 40 men and women to the sounds of a Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and a Volkswagen Polo then measured the amount of testosterone in their saliva (a measure of arousal). He found everyone had higher levels of the stuff, especially women, after hearing the first three revving supercars. As for the VW Polo? Everyone had less testosterone after listening to it.

“We knew owners of luxury cars felt a connection with the sound of their vehicles,” says Steve Langan, managing director of the insurance company. “We have now scientifically proven the physical attraction people feel when it comes to cars.”

100% of the women were aroused by the Maserati.

“We saw significant peaks in the amount of testosterone in the body, particularly in women,” Maxon says, noting that even women who said they had no interest in cars were turned on. “Testosterone is indicative of positive arousal in the human body so we can confidently conclude from the results out today that the roar of a luxury car engine actually does cause a primeval physiological response.”

And yet, a survery by GM found that nearly nine in 10 women would rather talk to a guy in a Prius than a Porsche, and eighty percent of respondents said they find people who drive fuel efficient cars more interesting than those that don’t.

So theres a disconnect here, as always, between what women say they want, and what they actually want. How surprising.