Tuesday 15th December 2009

The true sign of a great car is when it is winning prestigious European awards BEFORE it had even gone on sale!

The all-new Astra has won a 2009 Golden Steering Wheel in the compact class of Auto Bild’s highly sought after awards. One of the most prestigious and important prizes for car manufacturers in Europe was instigated by the publisher Axel Springer in 1976 and has been awarded annually ever since then.

“This is terrific news and a real feather in our cap” said Andy Gilson, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director, “not only has the new Astra been shortlisted for the European Car of the Year, which we won last year with the Insignia, but it’s now taken an important award from an International jury of readers. And all before the car hits showrooms on December 11th”The all-new Astra received top marks in the Engine, Fuel-consumption, Chassis, Braking, Steering and Driver assistance safety systems categories. Race drivers and technical experts ranked the all-new Astra no.1 as well, awarding the car 7 out of 8 points.

Having been awarded the Golden Steering Wheel, the all-new Astra succeeds the VW Golf VI and has overhauled its rival from Wolfsburg primarily in the areas of Quality and Comfort.

The Golden Steering Wheel election is organized into two phases. In the first round, European readers voted for their favourite vehicles, selecting a total of 46 in six categories. Next, a panel of fifty experts, including technicians, chief editors, race and rally drivers and VIP’s tested and judged the nominees on dynamics, quality and comfort. Vauxhall last won a Golden Steering Wheel in 2005 with the Zafira.