2010 Golden Steering Wheel winners revealed

The "Bild am Sonntag", "Auto Bild" and 26 associated European publications have revealed the winners of the 2010 Golden Steering Wheel Awards. In seven different categories the 40 member jury selected the best among the new cars of 2010.

Audi was the most successful brand of this year’s edition winning two Golden Steering Wheels in the Small Cars and Luxury Segment categories with the A1 and A8 respectively.

In the Small Cars category Audi A1 that has become the new contender for Fiat 500 and MINI Cooper was the clear winner, having won 21 out of 25 criteria. The new small car from the four-ring brand won the category ahead of the Citroën DS3 and the Suzuki Swift.

In the Luxury segment the new Audi A8 with its ride comfort, driver assistance systems, ease of operation, variability and value for money conquered the jury. In this category the high-luxury Audi won the Golden Steering Whel by beating the Bentley Mulsanne and the Jaguar XJ.

In the Compact Cars category the Golden Steering Wheel drove to Opel, thanks to its all-new Meriva. The MPV beat the odds of Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Lexus CT 200h by winning more than half the 32 criteria. The Meriva was the favorite amongst the judges as it won in three of the four groups (technicians, editors and VIPs).

For the executive and luxury class segment the Mercedes CLS has been selected as the best new car in 2010. The CLS convinced the Golden Steering Wheel jury and beat the new Audi A7 and BMW 5 Series.

In 2010 the Green Wheel Award went to France, thanks to Peugeot’s iOn. The electric mini-car beat the Opel Ampera and Fiat’s Twin Air engines in the category that was created in 2007 and that rewards the vehicles, concepts or technologies that have done more to reduce the Automobile's environmental footprint.

In one of the fastest growing segments in the automotive world, the SUV, Porsche Cayenne was the winner of the Golden Steering Wheel. The latest version of the successful sporty off-road vehicle impressed readers with its attractive design and high practicality, alongside maximum efficiency and the typical driving pleasure of a Porsche. The Cayenne beat the Volkswagen Touareg and the Dacia Duster.

Finally in the Van category the Volkswagen Sharan emerged as the winner beating the odds of Ford C-Max and Mazda5.