Audi Q5 claims gold before reaching starting blocks

Earlier this year the Audi Q5 was revealed to the motoring world in China. Released prior to the Games, Audi was keen to get plenty of images in front of the soon to be iconic Olympic venues. Now, following that debut, the Q5 has won the “Golden Steering Wheel” award in the SUV class. A nice gig for Audi to be collecting awards for the Q5 even before its market release.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, was in Berlin to collect the gong. “This is a tremendous success for both the new Q5 and the Audi brand. To me, it is also an acknowledgment of the great performance of our highly motivated and committed team,” said Stadler during the awards ceremony. “Our Golden Steering Wheel also proves to me that this car is apparently not only close to my heart; it also convinced the jury.”

Audi have won more “Golden Steering Wheel” awards than any other manufacturer after picking up their first in 1975.

Also of interest, the Q5 dealer reveal took place in Spain last week, with around 14 dealers from Australia making the trip.

Perhaps the most successful step for the Q5 is proving to the world that a small-mid size SUV can actually look half decent. The Q5 is definitely a more cohesive design execution than BMW’s awkward X3, and the Audi also looks neater than it’s Tiguan stablemate form Volkswagen.

Golden Steering Wheel for the New Audi Q5

• Prestigious accolade awarded prior to market launch
• with its 17th Golden Steering Wheel, Audi leads all-time ranking

Berlin / Ingolstadt – Even before its market introduction, the new Audi Q5 has won an award with “Bild am Sonntag” naming the new Audi Q5 the best vehicle in this year’s special SUV class.

The Q5 has been awarded the “Golden Steering Wheel” winning out over strong competition and, in the process, repeated the Audi A4’s success last year.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, accepted the prize – one of the most prestigious accolades in the automotive industry – in Berlin.

“This is a tremendous success for both the new Q5 and the Audi brand. To me, it is also an acknowledgment of the great performance of our highly motivated and committed team,” said Stadler during the awards ceremony. “Our Golden Steering Wheel also proves to me that this car is apparently not only close to my heart; it also convinced the jury.”

Members of the “Golden Steering Wheel” jury, consisting of VIPs, technical experts, and racing and rally pros, got another chance to put test candidates through their paces this year.

The Audi Q5 was able to win them over not only through its seat comfort and space, but also handling and variability. It also ranked high in the interior and exterior design disciplines. The technicians among the jury had particular praise for the new performance SUV’s ease of repair and environmental friendliness.

The new Audi Q5 combines the dynamism of a sports sedan with a highly flexible interior and a wide range of options for leisure and family. Three powerful, efficient engines, quattro permanent all-wheel drive and agile suspension form the basis of an impressive technological package for on-road and off-road use. The innovative S tronic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the Audi drive select handling system are among its other highlights.

The “Golden Steering Wheel” has been awarded since 1975 to the best new cars of the year. The award for the Audi Q5 is already the 17th victory in 33 years for a vehicle bearing the four rings, making Audi the most successful competing brand. Other winners of the “Golden Steering Wheel” are the Audi A6 in 2004, the Audi Q7 a year later and the Audi A4 sedan last year.