Gallery: Audi A5 Sportback
Golden Steering Wheel Awards 2009: Audi A5 Sportback
Tweet this!Golden Steering Wheel Awards 2009: The winners are announced
The most important prize award for cars in Europe was instituted by the publisher Axel Springer in 1976, and has been awarded annually since then. On the 4th November, top managers from the car industry accepted awards for the model year 2009 at the Axel Springer Building in Berlin. Eight new models in total received a Golden Steering Wheel award. For the third time, a Green Steering Wheel prize was presented for the best eco car. Fiat and Ferrari president, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, received an honorary award.The winners in the individual categories:
Small car class: VW Polo
Compact class: Vauxhall Astra
Medium class and above: Audi A5 Sportback
Luxury class: Porsche Panamera
Supercar: Mercedes SLS
MPV: Renault Scenic
Eco award: Toyota Prius and VW Blue Motion
Honorary prize: Luca Cordero di Montezemolo
Subaru Legacy Concept - The sound of silence
The Subaru Legacy seems to have become veiled in mystery. While the new Subaru Boxer Diesel had the odd mention in despatches in the trade press some time back, that doesn't seem to have done much for the Legacy itself and somehow, Subaru seem to be hiding in their own shadow. O.K. - this Japanese company has its traditional engine concept, but in terms of design, there is absolutely nothing that makes Subaru unique, unlike their engines. If you asked me which design characteristic were typical for Subaru, you would have to put up with a ponderous and vacuous stare.
The new Legacy presented in Detroit was supposed to represent the first step in the direction of a unified visual identity. This led to an an attempt to stamp all current car design trends into steel, leading to something that lacked harmony and looked clumsy. The Mercedes R-Class style headlamps look sharp and aggressive and the air inlets arranged to the left and right of the main radiator grille could be seen on an Audi.
Gallery: Subaru Legacy Concept
Continue reading Subaru Legacy Concept - The sound of silence
Volvo S60 Concept - Recarved with character
Is this the end of 'hard-line Volvo design'? After the beefy back-end look of the current S60, the recently-presented XC60 showed the new design aspirations of the Swedes. And it is certainly ready to stand up and be counted! It's particularly because Volvo has succeeded in almost fully concealing the strong technical links to diverse Ford models and thus not letting the premium aspirations of the brand be put under question.
Photos are now being released of the S60 successor which will be available in 2010. A distinct and stylish radiator grille is of course one of the key components in contemporary car design (particularly in the premium segment). As much so as a roof that slopes downwards to the rear in coupé style, ending with a short and tidy tail end with just a hint of being stepped. The lateral characteristics are however a little reminiscent of the Audi A5.
Continue reading Volvo S60 Concept - Recarved with character
Ford Mustang - groomed
The Ford Mustang used to have the US muscle car niche all sewn up but is now coming in for some tough competition. Dodge have penetrated this 'new' segment with their highly successful Challenger and are giving the veteran stallion a run for its money.
So Ford have decided to spruce up the Mustang to rise to the challenge of the Challenger. Though it has to be said that the changes are by no means radical.
The front now looks a bit fiercer and the large rear lights have been somewhat toned down. The cabin quality, which always came in for a lot of criticism, has now at least been upgraded to reflect the price bracket. But all in all, this is little more than a touch-up job.
On the powertrain side, it's as you were. The Challenger stands up well against even this revamped Mustang. Though in the current economic climate, takers for either are likely to be thin on the ground.
Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang
BMW's 'Progressive Activity Sedan' (PAS) turns into a GT
Now BMW have got a 'sportback' all of their own. After Audi brought out several new versions of the Sportback all at the same time, BMW are hitting back with the GT suffix.
The premium segment Germans will be sporting a much bigger rear portal in future, thus occupying yet another niche and taking the concept even further. According to the German magazine 'AutoBild', the Munich-based outfit are already working on a GT version of the 3 and 5 series. A 5 series GT might look something like a sleeker version of the X6. At one time, it might have been called a fastback, but as a description, this now sounds rather passé, certainly not as modern as 'Sportback' or GT.
Continue reading BMW's 'Progressive Activity Sedan' (PAS) turns into a GT
BMW 3 Series facelift - Keeping up with big brother
To coincide with the launch of their new flagship, BMW are also presenting a facelifted version of the 3 series. The highly successful mid-range vehicle from the boys in Bavaria now has to fend off some stiff competition from the Mercedes C class and a strong Audi A4.Admittedly, the facelift profits from the new 7 series, both as regards technology and styling. Internet access will be available as an optional extra for the 3, just as it is for its bigger brother. The eyelids that have been introduced on the 7 are also to be found on the revamped 3 which makes it look all the more menacing. LED indicators make their contribution to the overall hi-tech effect.
Two new contoured edges in the bonnet give the front end a sharper profile. On the sides, the sill line has been altered and, at the tail end, the Nissan-like rear lights have reverted to their previous L-shaped layout. A return to the previous BMW state-of-the-art design.
Not much has changed in the cabin except for the window winders which are now a little further forward and therefore more ergonomically placed. Actually, there wasn't a lot that needed improving here anyway. They've done a nice job.
Renault Laguna Coupe - Style statement
The subject of coupés arouses strong passions. An outdated concept, wasteful of space etc. The coupé no longer seems relevant to our crisis-ridden times. It ranks one place below the (rightly) controversial SUV in terms of being an essentially pointless yet emotionally charged vehicle.
A coupé inevitably projects an image of decadence, arrogance and contempt for rational values. By driving a coupé, you are signalling that you are willing to sacrifice such basic virtues as space, economy and common sense to pure form. Great to know that such people still exist.
Because it was with them in mind that the Laguna Coupe was created. Following the equally successful Peugeot 407 Coupe, this is the second mid-range coupé to come out of France.
The Laguna has all the ingredients of the classic coupé: a sleek silhouette, a long elegant boot and a masculine look without appearing overbearing and excessively aggressive like a BMW 3 Coupe or an A5. Don't get me wrong: they're both great coupés. But when you take a look at the Laguna, you begin to question the rationale behind the affected aggressiveness of the German competition. Is a car only to be considered an object of beauty nowadays when the sight of it in your rear mirror sends shivers of fear down your spine?
The clarity of the Laguna's lines is surprising and, together with the familiar classy interior from the saloon model, suggests thoroughbred quality - without the need to put on a show of ferocity. One minor complaint: the headlights we saw on the prototype unveiled in Frankfurt were so much more attractive than the tired cliché they've incorporated into the series model. Nonetheless, it's OK. Coupés are by their very nature racy, sporty and muscular. Only a minority also manage to have style.
A coupé inevitably projects an image of decadence, arrogance and contempt for rational values. By driving a coupé, you are signalling that you are willing to sacrifice such basic virtues as space, economy and common sense to pure form. Great to know that such people still exist.
Because it was with them in mind that the Laguna Coupe was created. Following the equally successful Peugeot 407 Coupe, this is the second mid-range coupé to come out of France.The Laguna has all the ingredients of the classic coupé: a sleek silhouette, a long elegant boot and a masculine look without appearing overbearing and excessively aggressive like a BMW 3 Coupe or an A5. Don't get me wrong: they're both great coupés. But when you take a look at the Laguna, you begin to question the rationale behind the affected aggressiveness of the German competition. Is a car only to be considered an object of beauty nowadays when the sight of it in your rear mirror sends shivers of fear down your spine?
The clarity of the Laguna's lines is surprising and, together with the familiar classy interior from the saloon model, suggests thoroughbred quality - without the need to put on a show of ferocity. One minor complaint: the headlights we saw on the prototype unveiled in Frankfurt were so much more attractive than the tired cliché they've incorporated into the series model. Nonetheless, it's OK. Coupés are by their very nature racy, sporty and muscular. Only a minority also manage to have style.
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