It might not feature on the radar of females but many hot-blooded males know that next year's calendar by Italian tyre-maker Pirelli was launched this week.
While pitched at car-loving men, tyres have little to do with its images - the Pirelli calendar is famous for its scantily clad models.
The latest features nubile models frolicking with elephants in the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert of Botswana, in Africa.
Seven top models including Dutch Lara Stone, Canadian Daria Werbowy and Italian Mariacarla Boscono spent 10 days on location for the shoot.
The calendars are famous not only for the beauties they feature, but also for the arty way they are photographed by the best in the business.
They are also famously exclusive - less than 20,000 copies of the 2009 issue was produced for worldwide distribution and the mailing list is a closely guarded secret.
South-east Asia will get only 500 copies, of which 50 will be distributed in Singapore to "loyal customers and selected local celebrities", says Pirelli's Asia public relations company, Lewis PR.
Good thing, then, that some lucky recipients try to spread the joy.
Christopher Tan, senior motoring correspondent for The Straits Times who received the 2004 and 2007 issues, gave his copies away in a contest organised by motoring magazine Torque, which is published by SPH Magazines .
"I wanted to give them to someone who would appreciate them more," he explains.
So keep your eyes peeled. If all else fails and you must have a physical copy of the calendar, you might want to check out eBay.
For everybody else, fret not: Urban has exclusive behind-the-scenes pictures of the beauties and the beasts on the shoot.
They are an intriguing sideshow to the actual calendar images, which were not available at press time.
COLLECTORS' ITEM
This latest edition - launched in Berlin on Wednesday - continues a tradition that started when Pirelli launched its annual calendar in 1964, marking the first of what has become the most coveted corporate gift of all time.
Every November, hot-blooded men and fashion followers eagerly await the launch of the calendar to find out which hot young thing has been photographed in all her semi-naked glory and which top photographer has been chosen to do the honours.
"The thing about the calendar is that it somehow manages to predict the trends for the coming year," says stylist Karen Ng.
She does not own the calendars but gets her Pirelli kicks by trawling the Net. "2008 was all about China and Oriental themes. Next season, African-inspired fashion will be very in.
"The artistic, edgy and high-glamour shots never fail to capture the attention of fashionistas," she adds.
The images for 2009 were shot by 70-year-old fashion veteran Peter Beard (left), who is also known for capturing African wildlife on camera.
Although there is plenty of flesh on display - the models are covered in not much more than skimpy bikinis and tribal-inspired jewellery and body art - the real stars of this calendar are the elephants so lovingly photographed by the American.
"My real concern is the destruction of nature on a global scale," says the photographer in a press release. "We have totally lost track of what evolution is based on and how important diversity is in nature."
Whether or not calendar recipients share his view on biodiversity, with copies in such limited numbers, it is no wonder they quickly become collectors' items.
"A lot of people who have heard about the calendar have never seen it in real life," says Lee Nian Tjoe, editor of Torque.
