Audi A4

Audi is celebrating after its new A4 won Europe’s biggest car award at the Geneva Motor Show. The A4 claimed the Auto 1 title, awarded by the Auto Bild Europe magazines group, which includes Auto Express. The trophy was collected by Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler in front of an audience of 500 VIPs.

There were awards, too, for five class-winning cars – the Fiat 500, Volkswagen Tiguan, BMW M3, Mercedes SLK Roadster and Volvo V70. BMW also took the Auto 1 Innovation award for its Efficient Dynamics system, which increases economy while lowering CO2 emissions. Auto 1 is the only new car awards to combine reader votes with those of magazine editors and race drivers. This year’s jury included ex-F1 champion Mika Hakkinen.