Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo and Audi Q5 crowned at the Golden Steering Wheel awards
DUBBED as the automotive Oscars, the Golden Steering Wheel awards is one of the most prominent in the European automotive industry.
The Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo won the crown in the “Sports Car” category where it was pitted against seven top-class competitors. The 5.02-metre four-door vehicle won over the judges with its unique combination of typical Porsche performance, a high level of comfort and unrestricted everyday practicality.
Dr Gernot Döllner, Vice President Product Line Panamera, attended the awards ceremony. “The Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo to win such a prestigious award in the sports car category means a lot to Porsche, and makes me personally very proud. The Sport Turismo is a unique combination of performance, comfort and everyday practicality. The courage that Porsche showed in bringing to fruition a concept that is unique in this segment has been rewarded with this Golden Steering Wheel triumph. I would like to thank the readers and the panel of expert judges,” he expresses in delight.
In the “Large SUV” category, the allnew Audi Q5 bagged the top spot. The second generation of the best-selling Audi has established several new standards in the B segment of premium SUVs. The best drag coefficient in the competition, consistent lightweight design and modern engines ensure high efficiency, as does the new quattro drive system with ultra technology. In addition, the all-new Audi Q5 offers a broad portfolio of new driver assist systems, modern infotainment and connectivity equipment, and air suspension with damper control.
Peter Mertens, Audi AG Board Member for Technical Development, accepted the prize for the Audi Q5. “The expertise and broad cross-section of opinions represented by the jury panel, as well as its renown throughout Europe, are what make the prize so coveted within our industry. The 2017 “Golden Steering Wheel” for the new Audi Q5 shows we have produced a worthy successor to the successful first generation of this SUV model line. We are proud of this prize,” he says.
Readers of the German automotive trade magazine Auto Bild, its 20 European sister publications and the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag have determined nominations from the new cars presented in 2017. A total of 42 models competed in five categories in this year’s competition. After a Europe-wide reader survey, 20 cars made the final round and were judged by the experts: race drivers, engineers, designers, connectivity specialists, frequent drivers, critics and, not least, the editors-in-chief of all European sister publications of Auto Bild. They tested the finalists and determined which would win the coveted trophy.