Serial Success: New Opel Astra Wins “Golden Steering Wheel 2022”

• Best car up to €50,000¹: New Astra and Astra Sports Tourer lead the field
• “Speaks for itself”: Opel wins “Golden Steering Wheel” for third time in succession
• Anniversary victory: This year’s award is 20^th “Golden Steering Wheel” for Opel

The newOpel Astra has won the “Golden Steering Wheel 2022”. Also electrified for the first time as a plug-in hybrid, the Astra as five-door and Sports Tourer convinced the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG as well as the expert jury. The latest generation of the compact class bestseller from the German carmaker beat off strong competition to win one of the most prestigious prizes in the automotive industry as “Best Car up to €50,000”¹.

At the same time, Opel is celebrating an extraordinary series of success with the new Astra. With the “Golden Steering Wheel 2022”, the manufacturer has also won the “triple” for the first time: for the third time in a row, the award has gone to Opel. In 2020, the Opel Corsa-e^[2] won the coveted award, and last year the Opel Mokka-e^[3]. In addition, the current award is already the 20th “Golden Steering Wheel” for Opel.

“We have really hit the bull’s eye with the new Opel Astra,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl at the award ceremony of the “Golden Steering Wheel 2022” at the Axel Springer Haus in Berlin. “Our latest compact class generation is not only convincing, but also exciting, especially as a plug-in hybrid. We are delighted that the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, the expert jury and the editorial team see it the same way.”

“The new Astra has shaken up the compact class because it has many of the qualities that you need to be successful in this segment. A large display, reasonable trunk volume and the choice of different drives – all of this on a single platform. And if that doesn’t convince you, you just have to try the ergonomic seats,” said Tom Drechsler, Editor-in-Chief & Managing Director AUTOMOTIVE of the BILD Group.

Attention to detail: Astra unites bold and pure design with top technologies

True to the motto ^“The new Astra speaks for itself”, the newest generation Astra and Astra Sports Tourer are not only more dynamic than ever, but with the new brand face, the Opel Vizor, and the all-digital, intuitive Pure Panel cockpit, they also set standards in the compact class. Top technologies in the new Astra include the latest evolution of the adaptive, glare-free Intelli-Lux LED^® Pixel Light headlamps with a total of 168 LED elements. Excellent comfort is provided by the AGR-certified ergonomic seats. With a system power output of 133 kW/180 hp and high torque of 360 Nm, the electrified Astra plug-in hybrid is also great fun to drive (WLTP⁴ fuel consumption: 1.1-1.0 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions 24-23 g/km, combined). The five-door accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in only 7.6 seconds. The Astra is thus locally emissions-free for the first time.

Opel and the “Golden Steering Wheel”: The 20 winners from Rüsselsheim

The Opel Astra is the latest in a proud line of “Golden Steering Wheel” winners from Opel. The award, which has been presented since 1976 by the Axel Springer publishing house BILD am SONNTAG (as of 2009 in cooperation with AUTO BILD) was won for the 20th time by the German carmaker. It all started in 1978, two years after the award was founded, with the Opel Senator A.

On the way to the “Golden Steering Wheel” victory, the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG are always first in line. They vote on the new cars and thus choose their three favourites in each category for the final. At the DEKRA Lausitzring racetrack in Germany, a prominent jury of journalists, racing drivers and car experts then examine the individual finalists according to criteria based on the AUTO BILD test scheme.

1978 – Opel Senator A: The first “Golden Steering Wheel”

In 1978, the brand with the Blitz won its first “Golden Steering Wheel” with the Opel Senator. Presented at the IAA in September 1977, the Senator was the successor of the legendary Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat models and was Opel’s top-of-the-line model until making its final bow in 1993. The 1978 Senator was available with three different engines – a 2.8-litre with 103 kW/140 hp, a 3.0-litre unit with 110 kW/150 hp and the top-of-the-range 3.0-litre engine with 132 kW/180 hp.

1979 – Opel Kadett D: The award-winning space wonder

One year later, Opel was back on the top of the rostrum. The 1979 Kadett D was the first ever Opel compact class car with front-wheel drive and delivered the company’s second “Golden Steering Wheel”. Thanks to the transverse engines and the lack of a propellor shaft it offered the passengers ample space despite compact dimensions and being 126 mm shorter than its predecessor. In addition to the spacious estate with a load volume of up to 1,425 litres, Opel offered two different fastback versions. In January 1983, the sporty Kadett GTE followed, with a top speed of 187 km/h and equipped with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine that developed 115 hp.

1981 – Opel Ascona C: Good things come in threes

In 1981, it was the Opel Ascona C’s turn to bring home the goods for the Rüsselsheim-based carmaker. It was the first Opel midsize car with front-wheel drive and was available as a notchback and an estate. The powertrain range for the Ascona C consisted of petrol engines ranging from 1.3 to 1.6 litres and a 1.6-litre diesel.

1982 – Opel Corsa A: Small car, huge impact

Only 12 months later, in 1982, a brand-new Opel model took the “Golden Steering Wheel” awards by storm – the Corsa A. Opel’s first-ever small car featured close-coupled proportions within a short length of just 3.62 metres. It had bold, flared wheel-arches like a rally car and an exceptionally low drag coefficient of 0.36. The highlight was the 72 kW/98 hp Corsa GSi. The two-door hatch and notchback line-up was expanded in 1985 with the addition of the popular five-door model. The Corsa A became a highly acclaimed top seller with 3.1 million units built.

1984 – Opel Kadett E: Another compact class winner

Five years after winning the “Golden Steering Wheel” for the first time, the Kadett took pole position again with its new generation launched in 1984. The second front-wheel drive Kadett, built from 1984 to 1991, was an absolute winner and also took the 1984 “Car of the Year” award. Furthermore, the Kadett is rated as an aerodynamics champion. The sporty GSi, with a Cd of 0.30, stunned the experts and even the normal hatchback sedan achieved a sensational value of 0.32. In total, the aerodynamics champion was sold 3.78 million times.

1987 – Opel Senator B: Smooth-running winner

The Opel Senator B also managed to repeat the success of its predecessor. Based on the rear-wheel drive Opel Omega, the new flagship mainly came with six-cylinder engines, with the smooth 3.0-litre in-line engine with 115 kW/156 hp leading the way. You could place a coin on its edge in the engine compartment and the coin wouldn’t fall off when the engine was running. Later, a four-valve version of the six-cylinder engine with a Dual-Ram variable intake system and hearty 150 kW/204 hp was introduced.

1990 – Opel Calibra: The champion wins

A true champion won the “Golden Steering Wheel” in 1990: A breath-taking coupé with a record-breaking drag coefficient of 0.26! The Calibra was available with powerful engines ranging from 85 kW/115 hp to 150 kW/204 hp. The Opel Calibra Turbo with all-wheel drive and acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 6.8 seconds was the icing on the cake. A V6 engine with 125 kW/170 hp rounded off the offer. In motorsports, a Calibra V6 won the touring car crown by taking the ITC in 1996.

1994 – Opel Omega B: The big car takes gold

The second edition of the Omega left a special impression on the jury. The dynamic design, the extensive amount of space and the new V6 engines with alloy cylinder heads and up to 155 kW/210 hp impressed the experts. The new airbag systems ensured a high level of safety for all occupants. The estate version boasted sheer endless loading capacity, making it the ideal car for families and artisans alike, whereas the limousine version was rated as a representative business sedan.

1995 – Opel Vectra B: Mirror, mirror, on the door

The Opel Vectra’s most eye-catching features were the aerodynamically shaped door mirrors that formed a harmonic unity with the front of the car – a feature the “Golden Steering Wheel” jury simply could not resist. The Vectra also won because of its new and efficient petrol engines ranging from 1.6 to 2.6 litres featuring outputs between 55 kW/75 hp and 125 kW/170 hp. Elsewhere, the direct injection diesel engines with displacements ranging from 1.7 to 2.2 litres delivering exemplary consumption celebrated their debut.

1999 – Opel Zafira A: The quick-change artist with seven seats

Who invented it? Opel! Yes, the compact van that can be turned from a complete seven-seater into a transporter with impressive maximum load volume (1,700 litres max.) in a flash without removing a single seat is a Rüsselsheim brainchild. The formula is called Flex7 and it helped the Zafira win the “Golden Steering Wheel” in 1999. Thanks to the ingenious concept, the seats disappear into the vehicle floor when necessary. The flexible space wonder also impresses with compact dimensions and outstanding driving dynamics.

2002 – Opel Vectra C: The master electrician

The third-generation Vectra successfully defended the title won by its predecessor by winning gold yet again. The new midsize car entered the electronic age, connected its systems via a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus instead of via a wiring harness, and came with electrohydraulic power steering. Outputs of the petrol and diesel engines ranged from 74 kW/100 hp to 206 kW/280 hp with displacements from 1.6 to 3.2 litres. In 2004, Opel also fitted the Vectra with the IDS Plus active suspension with Continuous Damping Control (CDC), which ensured that the dampers adapt to the prevailing driving situation.

2005 – Opel Zafira B: Completing the golden dozen

The second-generation Zafira continued to set the standards with a further development of the Flex7 seating system and won the “Golden Steering Wheel” again. Furthermore, it was also classed as the fastest van on the planet when the OPC version with 177 kW/240 hp completed a lap on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 8:54:38 minutes. 240 powerful horses under the bonnet and an outstanding performance handling system helped achieve this record-breaking time.

2009 – Opel Astra J: The compact designer piece

In 2009, the Astra J, a true designer piece, followed in the footsteps of the Kadett D space wonder and the Kadett E aerodynamics champion, securing Opel’s third “Golden Steering Wheel” compact class title. The Astra followed Opel’s new design philosophy ‘Sculptural artistry meets German precision’. In additional, the Astra J came with modern assistance systems such as the Opel Eye and the AFL+ headlamp system that can see around corners. The FlexRide adaptive technology helped it adapt to the prevailing driving situation and front-seat occupants were able to enjoy the ride in AGR-certified (Campaign for Healthier Backs) seats.

2010 – Opel Meriva B: So clever, so compact

The Zafira’s little brother struck gold in 2012 with the Meriva B underlining Opel’s van expertise. The jury was convinced by the versatile FlexSpace rear-seating system and the innovative rear-hinged rear door system. The FlexDoors allow easy access to children’s seats in the rear and ensured comfortable entry and egress for tall passengers. The engine portfolio offered ample power while curbing consumption thanks to downsizing and turbo-charging. Outputs ranged from 55 kW/75 hp to 103 kW/140 hp.

2012 – Opel Zafira Tourer: The lounge on wheels

The Zafira was accompanied by a premium partner in the Zafira Tourer and immediately won another “Golden Steering Wheel”. In addition to the flexible interior, the newcomer impressed with lounge comfort, panorama glass sunroof and innovations such as radar-based speed control and Forward Collision Alert.

2015 – Opel Astra K: The quantum leap

The Astra K was based on a completely new lightweight vehicle architecture, powered exclusively by ultra-modern engines and enabled outstanding connectivity, e.g. via smartphone integration. The Astra also continued Opel’s tradition of introducing features previously only known from higher segments into the compact segment. All this resulted in the 2015 “Golden Steering Wheel”.

2017 – Opel Ampera-e: The electric range champion

The Opel Ampera-e leaves its competition standing with its sports car-like acceleration and the by far longest electric range in its segment. With a single charge of the 60-kWh lithium-ion battery a distance of up to 520 kilometres is measured in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). And the Opel Ampera-e also impresses when tested approximated to the speed profile defined in the WLTP⁵ (Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure) driving cycle (shortened test procedure): Based on this development test, the engineers estimate a combined WLTP⁵ range of 380 kilometres. The Ampera-e accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in just 3.2 seconds. Furthermore, the 4.16 metre-long Ampera-e also offers plenty of space for up to five passengers plus boot space of 381 litres (1,274 litres when the seats are folded down).

2020 – Opel Corsa-e: Electrified bestseller

With the sixth generation of the Corsa, the best-selling small car has become electric. Thanks to the 50-kWh battery, the Corsa-e can travel up to 353 kilometres on a single charge (according to the WLTP⁵ cycle) and is therefore suitable for everyday use. There is space for up to five occupants and the entry-level version already features numerous high-tech assistance systems.

2021 – Opel Mokka-e: Bold, pure, unconventional and locally emissions-free

The Opel Corsa-e is followed by the Opel Mokka-e as “Golden Steering Wheel” winner³. With the Opel Vizor brand face on the outside and the fully digital Pure Panel on the inside, the bold and pure SUV impresses immediately. In addition, as a battery-electric Mokka-e, it has a locally emissions-free range of up to 338 kilometres (according to WLTP⁵) without a charging stop.

2022 – Opel Astra L: Design statement with technologies of the future

The new Opel Astra has achieved a double triple in the “Golden Steering Wheel 2022”. The newest Astra generation is the third in succession to receive the prestigious award. At the same time, Opel has won for the third year in a row. The design of the new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer is bold and pure, from the Opel Vizor on the outside to the all-digital Pure Panel in the cockpit. Then there are the top technologies that make driving safer and more enjoyable. In addition, the powertrains of the new-generation Astra are fit for the future. Opel’s bestselling compact is available as a plug-in hybrid since the start of sales and next year customers will have an even broader choice of propulsion systems with the battery-electric Astra.

[1] AUTO BILD edition 45/2022 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2022, category for “Best car up to €50,000”.

^[2] AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG edition 45/2020, category for “Small cars”.

^[3] AUTO BILD edition 45/2021 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2021, category for “Best car under €25,000” incl. environmental bonus.

^[4] The fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions figures mentioned comply with the WLTP homologation (regulation EU 2017/948). From 1 September 2018, new vehicles are type-approved using the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which is a new, more realistic test procedure for measuring fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. The WLTP fully replaces the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC), which was the test procedure used previously. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions measured under the WLTP are in many cases higher compared to those measured under the NEDC. The fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions figures may vary depending on specific equipment, options and format of tires.

^[5] Range determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology (R (EC) No. 715/2007, R (EU) No. 2017/1151). The actual range can vary under everyday conditions and depends on various factors, in particular on personal driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, use of heating and air conditioning and thermal preconditioning.