The new generation Audi A6 has won a major accolade with weekly German newspaper "Bild am Sonntag" voting the sporty executive saloon with the four-ring badge the best executive-class car.

The new A6 was also bestowed with the famed "Golden Steering Wheel" award, accepted in Berlin this week by Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management, AUDI AG.

The jury that is charged with the task of awarding the "Golden Steering Wheel", comprising VIPs, technical experts and professional motor racers and rally drivers, had the opportunity to try out the candidates over a closed test circuit this year.

Thanks to its dynamic qualities, the Audi A6 was as impressive on this terrain as it was in the disciplines of design, equipment and comfort.

The "Golden Steering Wheel" has been awarded to the best new car models of the year since 1975. This year’s award for the Audi A6 is the 13th time that a vehicle with the four-ring badge has taken the honours.

A representative of the previous A6 generation was likewise awarded a "Golden Steering Wheel" in 1997.