New Opel Mokka-e wins „Golden Steering Wheel 2021“

• Best car under €25,000: Battery-electric Mokka-e takes the top spot
• Electric car with style: Bold and pure, the Opel Mokka-e in tune the times
• Electric success: Mokka-e follows Corsa-e as “Golden Steering Wheel” winner
• Winning streak at “Auto Oscars”: Already 19th “Golden Steering Wheel” for Opel

The new Opel Mokka-e has won the “Golden Steering Wheel 2021”¹, defeating strong competition and claiming one of the most prestigious prizes in the automotive industry as “Best Car under €25,000”.

The Mokka-e seamlessly continues Opel’s series success in this award. Only last year, the battery-electric Opel Corsa-e brought the “Golden Steering Wheel”² to Rüsselsheim. After the Ampera-e in 2017 and the Corsa-e in 2020, the Mokka-e is now the third electric model and also the first SUV from Opel to take the coveted title. The electric vehicles with the Blitz electrify the experts and readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG just as much as the customers.

“Our Opel Mokka-e is everything but ordinary, and proved it once again at this year’s ‘Golden Steering Wheel’”, said Opel CEO Uwe Hochgeschurtz at last night’s award ceremony in Berlin’s Axel Springer Haus. “With state-of-the-art technologies and uncompromising design, the Mokka-e makes e-mobility fun in every way. We are very pleased that our customers, the readers of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG, as well as the expert jury see it the same way.”

Opel Mokka-e: The battery-electric eye-catcher with the Blitz in the Opel Vizor

The new Opel Mokka-e impresses not only with its bold and pure design, but also with its performance. The electric motor with 100 kW/136 hp and 260 Newton metres of maximum torque delivers a powerful, almost silent drive. Thanks to the 50 kWh battery, up to 338 kilometres are possible without a charging stop according to WLTP³. The electronically limited top speed is 150 km/h. A state-of-the-art regenerative braking system makes the Mokka-e even more efficient, allowing the electric vehicle to recuperate energy during deceleration or braking. The battery can be quickly recharged up to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at a 100 kW DC charging station.

Opel and the “Golden Steering Wheel”: All the Winners from Rüsselsheim

The Opel Mokka-e is the latest in a proud line of “Golden Steering Wheel” award winners from Opel. The award, which has been presented since 1976 by BILD am SONNTAG and from 2009 in cooperation with AUTO BILD has now been won by the brand with Blitz for the 19th time. 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 andBILD am SONNTAG are first to vote. They elect their three favourites in each category, sending them to the final. At the DEKRA Lausitzring, a prominent jury of experts consisting of journalists, racing drivers and car experts will then assess the individual finalists according to criteria based on the AUTO BILD test scheme.

“Golden Steering Wheel” year

Model

1978 Opel Senator A

1979 Opel Kadett D

1981 Opel Ascona C

1982 Opel Corsa A

1984 Opel Kadett E

1987 Opel Senator B

1990 Opel Calibra

1994 Opel Omega B

1995 Opel Vectra B

1999 Opel Zafira A

2002 Opel Vectra C

2005 Opel Zafira B

2009 Opel Astra J

2010 Opel Meriva B

2012 Opel Zafira Tourer

2015 Opel Astra K

2017 Opel Ampera-e

2020 Opel Corsa-e

2021 Opel Mokka-e

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 flagship until making its final bow in 1993. The 1978 Senator was available with three different engines – a 2.8-litre engine 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 a missing flexible drive shaft it offered the passengers ample space despite compact dimensions and being 126 mm shorter than its predecessor. In addition, the Kadett saw the introduction of new engines with an overhead camshaft. The four-cylinder 1.3-litre OHC engine generated 44 kW/60 hp or 55 kW/75 hp. 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 middle class 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 unit.

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, which was possibly record-breaking for its class. The Corsa A was designed to appeal to ‘the man of the house’ in particular. 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: In for a penny, in for a pound

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-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 4-valve version of the 6-cylinder engine with a Dual-Ram variable intake system and hearty 150 kW/204 hp was introduced.

1990 – Opel Calibra: The athlete shines

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 0 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 notchback version was rated as a representative business sedan.

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

The Opel Vectra’s most eye-catching feature was 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 (in only 15 seconds!) 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 middle class car entered the electronic age, connected its systems via a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus instead of via a cable 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, so golden

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 new star impresses with lounge comfort, panorama glass sunroof and innovations such as radar-based speed control and emphatic Forward Collision Alert.

2015 – Opel Astra K: The quantum leap

And the winner is: The current-generation Astra is based on a completely new lightweight vehicle architecture, is powered exclusively by ultra-modern engines and enables outstanding connectivity via smartphone integration and the personal connectivity and service assistant OnStar. The Astra also continues 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 WLTP³ (Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure) driving cycle (shortened test procedure): Based on this development test, the engineers estimate a combined WLTP³ 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) – a mixture worth its weight in gold.

2020 – Opel Corsa-e: Electrified bestseller

With the sixth generation of the Corsa the best-selling small car has become electric. Thanks to the 50kWh battery, the Corsa-e can travel up to 337 kilometres on a single charge (according to the WLTP³ 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. All at attractive prices starting at around €20,000 (in Germany, including incentives). Opel makes electric mobility affordable.

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

The Opel Corsa-e is now followed by the new Opel Mokka-e as the latest “Golden Steering Wheel” winner. With the Opel Vizor brand face on the outside and the fully digital Pure Panel on the inside, the newcomer impresses immediately. In addition, as a battery-electric Mokka-e, it has an emissions-free range of up to 338 kilometres (according to WLTP³) without a charging stop. All of this, is available at an entry-level price (minus the environmental bonus) of less than €25,000.

^[1] AUTO BILD edition 45/2021 and BILD am SONNTAG edition 46/2021, category for “Best car under €25,000” incl. environmental bonus.

^[2] AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG edition 45/2021, category for “Small cars”

^[3] 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.