Berlin, Tuesday evening. In the atrium of the Axel Springer Haus, spotlights create a dramatic atmosphere. The rows are filled, and the live stream is available for all those who cannot attend in person. The ‘small car’ category is coming up – Barbara Schöneberger invites Opel CEO Florian Huettl onto the stage. Racing driver and jury member Lina van de Mars steps into the light to hand over the ‘Golden Steering Wheel 2025’: „The Mokka GSE immediately captured my heart. You can feel the rally DNA,“ she says.
This marks the start of the award ceremony – sporty, emotional, direct. The Opel Mokka GSE is the first prize winner of this evening, Opel the first brand to celebrate. Huettl accepts the trophy wheel and says with pride: „The award is a huge recognition for the entire team.“
„The award is a huge recognition for the entire team.“
– Opel CEO Florian Huettl –
The Golden Steering Wheel 2025 gala, hosted by Schöneberger and AUTO-BILD editor-in-chief Robin Hornig, has long been more than just an award ceremony. It is the family reunion of the car industry. Designers, board members, racing drivers, from touring car champion Joachim Winkelhock to Günther Irmscher from the well-known car tuner in Remshalden – all there. This award has been around for 49 years. It has patina and meaning.
And the award winner from Rüsselsheim is a car that shows attitude. The jury puts it this way: „The Mokka GSE offers the best price-performance ratio in its class.“ It combines driving pleasure with reason – 281 hp of all-electric, rally-inspired performance, paired with motorsport DNA. In addition, there is a locally emissions-free range of up to 336 kilometres (WLTP). The precise steering and the balanced chassis were particularly highlighted: no other car in its class drove so harmoniously over the racing track. The operation is logical, the overview exemplary, the workmanship solid and at a high level.
„Rechargeable driving pleasure! The Mokka GSE revives the era of hot hatches.“
– AUTO-BILD Editor-in-Chief Robin Hornig –
The jury of AUTO BILD and BILD am SONNTAG tested at the Lausitzring. The Mokka GSE scored 3,345 points – a whopping 374 more than its closest rival and 432 more than the car that came in third. A clear result. Robin Hornig says: „This is rechargeable driving pleasure! The Mokka GSE revives the era of hot hatches – honest, direct, inspiring.“
The Golden Steering Wheel has been presented since 1976. And it has gone to Rüsselsheim 22 times, five times since 2020 alone. The first Opel winner was the Senator A. The latest: the Mokka GSE – the fastest all-electric production Opel ever, rally DNA included. Berlin sparkles. The Mokka GSE shines.
November 2025