Golden Steering Wheel Award for Epiq and Peaq

One day in September, both Škoda models were waiting in the pit lane at the Lausitzring racing circuit, where the finalists came under the scrutiny of an expert jury. The jury included not only the editors-in-chief of Auto Bild and the wider Bild media group (publisher of Germany's most widely read daily newspaper), but also racing legends and well-known personalities who openly share a passion for cars and motoring in general. This year, the 26 jury members included, for example, multiple rally champion Sébastien Ogier and legendary tennis player Boris Becker. 

And they certainly did not simply look at the cars. Each model was thoroughly assessed and scored in predefined areas, with the jury examining aspects such as practical usability, driving position, build quality and visibility from inside the car. During driving sessions on the circuit, they then assessed the handling and driving feel, as well as acceleration and braking efficiency, for example. Value for money also formed part of the assessment.

"The jury members are interested in the materials used in the interior, the design, the philosophy behind these aspects and the brand's approach to them. They ask about the price of the entry-level model as well as the price of the specific car they have been given to test. They also ask about the environmental footprint of its production," explains Thomas Drechsler, Head of Communications at Škoda Auto, describing the questions put to the jury members. 

Of the two Škoda models, the Peaq faced the more demanding challenge. In the Family Car category, it was subjected to a special test. Five families with children of different ages, ranging from babies to teenagers, assessed how well it met their needs. They tested the flexibility of the seating arrangements and the available luggage space, including whether the car could accommodate a pushchair without having to fold it. They also examined getting in and out of the vehicle, safety features, the installation of child seats and even how well parents and children could hear one another while travelling in the spacious car. 

"The family jury members drove outside the racing circuit. They focused heavily on everyday usability and examined how user-friendly the infotainment system was and what smart solutions the car offered," says Drechsler, pointing, for example, to the Peaq's huge glass roof with its automatically controlled shading.