The Polestar 2 has been awarded the 2020 Golden Steering Wheel in the medium-sized-SUV category.
The annual “Goldenes Lenkrad” awards program – established by Germany’s Auto Bild car magazine and Bild am Sonntag newspaper in the mid 1970s – is one of the most prestigious motoring accolades in Europe.
As in previous years, the publications called on their readers to participate in the vote for the best cars of 2020.
Readers took a vote for 63 vehicles, in eight categories, that have been on the market since October 2019. Three finalists in the respective vehicle classes were determined based on readers' votes, which were then evaluated by an independent jury of automotive experts.
Polestar 2 was the only electric model to make it into the final round in the medium-sized SUV category and was ultimately able to prevail against tough competition – with the Golden Steering Wheel matching neatly with the car’s ‘Swedish gold’ seatbelts.
The electric car’s outstanding driving experience plus the overall high quality of the vehicle convinced the European jury, consisting of international automobile journalists, racing drivers, celebrities and car enthusiasts.
Above: The Polestar 2 electric performance fastback.
“How fitting that Polestar 2 gets the Golden Steering Wheel! After all, it is not just design that distinguishes Polestar 2, but also what you experience when you sit behind the wheel,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar. “We are particularly proud that Polestar 2 convinces critical industry experts as well as readers, and thus ultimately our customers.”
According to Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag readers, Polestar 1 is also one of the most popular cars of the year and was placed among the top three sports cars in the final round for the international award.
Ingelath added: “The Golden Steering Wheel is undisputedly one of the most prestigious awards in the industry. The fact that both models, Polestar 1 and Polestar 2, made it to the finals and Polestar 2 won the award is a great recognition for the entire team.”
The Golden Steering Wheel is Polestar 2’s second award of note in Germany, after it was voted German Car of the Year (GCOTY) in the ‘Luxury’ category.
The GCOTY’s independent jury, consisting of 18 leading German automotive journalists, judged a total of 72 vehicles that have been released since the end of 2019.
The experts chose one winner in each of five categories. Polestar 2 convinced the jury "by a large margin" in the Luxury category where models with an entry-level price of over 50,000 euros were assessed.
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