The readers of the German motoring magazine “Auto Zeitung” have voted for their favourite cars with the most appealing design. Models from Mercedes-Benz took first place in three categories: the A-Class was the winner in the compact class, and the CLS Shooting Brake took the laurels in the Estate Car class while also being voted the most beautiful car of all – the overall champion.

This year 24,258 readers of “Auto Zeitung” cast their votes for the most beautiful cars. The only criterion was: which has the best design? The candidates were the new models that appeared in the last year, voted for in five categories.

Readers voted the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake the most beautiful car of all categories, and at the same time this unconventional creation by Mercedes-Benz designers took first place in the Estate Car category.

A long bonnet, a slim window line with frameless side windows and a roof extending to the rear end with a rearward slope give the CLS Shooting Brake the proportions of a coupé. However, in terms of function, the car features five doors and a large load capacity under the tailgate – despite the low contour of the roof.

Chairman of the Board of Management Dr Dieter Zetsche: “Every genuine motoring legend appeals to the heart and mind in equal measure. The functionality of a vehicle is a matter of course – it is taken for granted by our customers. The crowning achievement is the allure. The CLS Shooting Brake combines both in a way that no other automobile can match.”

The A-Class also won the vote for Germany’s most popular automobile. The motoring organisation ADAC accordingly presented it with the “Gelber Engel 2013″ (“Golden Angel 2013″) award.

The A-Class has further scored on an international basis. More than 100,000 car enthusiasts from 52 countries voted the Mercedes-Benz A-Class the “Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2012″. They were able to cast their votes on seven mini-websites, made available in various languages by the TV channel Eurosport.

“The A-Class is a clear statement confirming the new dynamism of the Mercedes-Benz brand,” says Dr Dieter Zetsche.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Tags: A-Class, ADAC, Auto Zeitung, car design, CLS Shooting Brake, design award, Dr Dieter Zetsche, Eurosport, Gelber Engel 2013, Golden Angel 2013