A 27-member international jury gathered by German newspaper Bild am Sonntag announced an award for new models in each of the four major European market segments.

The 23^rd Golden Steering Wheel was awarded to Peugeot 206 in the compact car category.

Presented annually since 1976 the awards rank all new vehicles launched during the year in Germany.

The diverse judging panel included motor racing drivers, members of the media and sports personalities. Candidates are judged according to eight criteria, including style, price, performance, driving dynamics and comfort.

First in six of the eight criteria, the Peugeot 206 won out over seven compact competitors.

Fifth Peugeot victory
The 206 is the fifth Peugeot to receive the Golden Steering Wheel Award, after the 505 (1979), 205 (1983), 405 (1987) and 306 (1993).

Introduced during the last two months on all the European markets, the Peugeot 206’s initial success has been stunning. At the end of October orders in Europe totalled more than 150,000 units, including 65,000 in France, 27,000 in Italy and 18,000 in Germany.

The 206 is produced in Peugeot's Mulhouse (France) and Ryton (UK) plants at a daily rate of 1,700 units, which will rise to 1,900 in December.

New facilities
More than AUD$280 million has gone towards a factory extension and new manufacturing facilities at Peugeors Ryton plant in Coventry, where Australian 206s will be built.

Production rates will continue to increase during the first half of 1999 to meet forecast volumes of 500,000 vehicles (worldwide) next year.

The Australian 206 range (due October, 1999) will offer a choice of three and five door models powered by a 65 kW, fuel-injected, 1.6-litre engine mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.