Audi have just announced their popular Q5 has won the 2017 “Golden Steering Wheel” in the Large SUV category. Vehicles from this category were taken from new 2017 models and were nominated by readers of the German automotive trade magazine Auto Bild, its 20 European sister publications and the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag. An international panel of experts selected the Q5 as winner and Peter Mertens, AUDI AG Board Member for Technical Development, accepted the prize in Berlin last week.
There were 42 models in total competing in five categories of this year’s “Golden Steering Wheel” contest. After a reader survey that was Europe-wide, 20 cars made the final cut and were judged by the experts who included race drivers, engineers, designers, connectivity specialists, frequent drivers, critics and the editors-in-chief of all European sister publications of Auto Bild. The final cars selected were tested to determine which would win the coveted trophy.
The Audi Q5 won against seven other vehicles in the “Large SUV” category. Peter Mertens commented at the award ceremony at the Axel-Springer-Haus in Berlin. “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,”
The new Audi Q5 was introduced to the market at the start of the year and is a second generation of the best-selling Audi which 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. With the new Audi Q5 also offering a broad portfolio of new driver assist systems, modern infotainment and connectivity equipment, and air suspension with damper control we are not surprised it won this prestigious award.