November 2008 Car News - GBCarLoans.com

6th November 2008

Seat Ibiza's Golden Steering Wheel

SEAT is celebrating reciving awards for its all-new Ibiza supermini. Judges from Germany and The Netherlands voted it top of its class.

Executives from the Barcelona-based car maker travelled to Berlin to collect a prestigious 'Golden Steering Wheel' awarded by influential German newspaper Bild am Sonntag - one of Europe's biggest-selling titles.

Readers of the Sunday newspaper voted for their top five vehicles before an expert panel of drivers and celebrities then made their votes, judges included former rally and race ace Walter Röhrl, and ex-F1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck.

The Ibiza came out tops in the small car class after being judged best in dynamics, design comfort and handling and e SEAT's low CO2 emissions and outstanding value for money also helped it to the title.

Receiving the award in Germany on Wednesday, SEAT S.A. Vice President of Research and Development, Frank Bekemeier, said: 'The Golden Steering Wheel awarded to the Ibiza is a great honour for the whole team.'

A few days before, the elegant Ibiza 5dr had been named 'Compact Car of the Year' by the Dutch automobile club ANWB.

Monthly magazine De Kampioen, edited by the ANWB for its members, tested a five-door SEAT Ibiza 1.4 SE against top competitors including the new Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2 and Alfa Romeo MiTo. The judges' verdict was clear: 'The Ibiza is one step ahead of its rivals.'

SEAT UK Head of Marketing, Steve Robertson, said of the Ibiza's growing haul of European awards: 'The fact that independent judges in both Germany and Holland have put Ibiza top in such a competitive sector shows the tremendous appeal of the car. 'SEAT's push for quality and value, our famous reputation for high levels of standard equipment and our determination to make the Ibiza the most engaging, enjoyable drive in its class clearly make the Ibiza a winner.'

 

back to November's Car News