Researchers at Julius-Maximilians University in Germany did a study that determined people were able to match male and female driver’s faces to the cars they drive.

In the study, researchers photographed 60 men and women from the waist up and then photographed their cars from BMWs and Audis to Opels, Fords and Volkswagens. The students then matched cars to owners.

Apparently, age, social class and stereotypes were helpful in helping to identify drivers with their cars. This makes sense, since you’d think a guy who looks like he’s middle aged but a little dumpy looking would drive a mid-sized car, but a young college student would drive a smaller, cheaper one. You car says a lot about you, and what you want the outside world to think when they see you. Naturally, you drive a car that’s probably fitting to your image, whether it’s a loving father or a drunken playboy.

What car do you think this handsome gentleman drives?

NY Times (Free login required) [via Left Lane News]