After announcing its Finalists for the BEST BUY CAR OF EUROPE 2025 Award, the AUTOBEST Jury has voted and chosen the winners of other 6 prestigious AUTOBEST awards.
This year, AUTOBEST Jury has decided to launch a completely new award named `A STAR IS BACK`. This new revolutionary award is going to iconic brands and iconic models recently relaunched, in a very successful way.
The inaugural `A STAR IS BACK` Award dedicated to the revival of a brand is going to LANCIA.
Also, the AUTOBEST Jury voted to award with `A STAR IS BACK` prize two iconic models successfully relaunched: Renault 5 and Renault 4.
`This is one of the very rare moments when AUTOBEST Jury decide to pioneer a new award. After `A STAR is Born` a prize launched back in 2018, it is now the moment to cover another white spot in the industry. `A STAR is back` is the recognition not only for the revival of iconic brands and models but is also the proof of future success. AUTOBEST Jury is probably the best independent motoring media organization in the world in predicting future trends in our motoring universe. With these winners we are very confident about the future of our awardees. It is important to remind that `A Star is Back` like `A Star is Born` and `Future is Here` are exceptional awards offered only when is the case and are based on a very detailed analysis of the Jury. This is consistent with our AUTOBEST vision and mission. Simply put, these outstanding revivals are not everyday business. By contrary, there are very rare celebrations for many of the 665 mil. European car users that AUTOBEST is serving! ` said Dan Vardie, Founder & Chairman of AUTOBEST organization.
STEFAN SIELAFF, Vice President of Global Design at Geely Group is the newest inductee in the DESIGNBEST 2025 Hall of Fame. Over the years, Stefan Sielaff has created cars that blend elegance with cutting-edge technology, appealing to both traditional and modern tastes. His work represents a balance between luxury and innovation, ensuring the designs remain iconic over time. Sielaff’s innovative approach, not only sets new standards, but also demonstrates a holistic approach that moves the industry forward in sustainable ways.
The newest inductee in the MANBEST 2025 Hall of Fame is ARNAUD BELLONI, Vice President Renault Brand Global Marketing and Chief Branding Officer at Renault group. Belloni is one of the most talented CMO-s we have nowadays in the car industry. His professional track record is absolutely impressive, been involved in launching many new cars from several brands. Recently, his contribution to the remarkable new image and success of Renault brand has been outstanding.
AUROBAY Hybrid system technology is the winner of TECHNOBEST 2025. AUROBAY is a forward-thinking company that recognizes that while internal combustion engines will change, they will not go away. It is focused on the vital work of making hybrid engines greener and more efficient – because there are numerous routes to zero CO2, not just electric vehicles. Combining the best of Geely and Volvo powertrain expertise, its leading-edge technology is both highly innovative and certain to play a major role in the sustainability of tomorrow’s cars. The hybrid system technology developed by AUROBAY is establishing world records for incredible range and very small overall consumption and emissions while ensuring significant EV range for urban commuting. For today and years to come, the TECHNOBEST 2025 winning technology is probably the best powertrain for many motorists in Europe and around the world.
The jury voted for RENAULT 5 as the winner of ECOBEST 2025 award. With its heart-winning design, and easy electric and digital technology, the iconic new Renault 5 is a superb design exercise that appeals both to the nostalgic customers that enjoyed the original Renault 5 in the eighties and the millennials and even the Generation Z individuals looking for a personal, attractive, and very low usage cost car. Made in France, colorful, funny, and eye-catching, the new Renault 5 offers the correct range and power to become a hit in the EV sales in Europe for the years to come. R5 is proving that EV’s are cool not only to drive but to own and use every day, paying a contribution to the electrification of Europe.
The winner of SPORTBEST 2025 is legendary Walter Röhrl. The German is an all-time great of motorsports. Niki Lauda called him a “genius on wheels”! In rallying, Walter Röhrl not only won two world championships but also 14 events, notably four victories in the famous Monte Carlo rally – for four different manufacturers. He gained significant victories for Fiat, Opel, Lancia, Audi, Ford, BMW and Porsche throughout his amazing racing career. Walter also proved his tremendous skills in winning the Pikes Peak Hill climb in track record time on a gravel road, he won in the World Sports Car Championship, in the United States in IMSA and TransAm. For years now he is dedicated to developing and test Porsche cars, representing the company as ambassador. Our whole jury agrees that Walter Röhrl highly deserves to be SPORTBEST 2025.
In total, eight awards are announced. In the coming weeks, AUTOBEST will communicate the winners of the SAFETYBEST, SMARTBEST and COMPANYBEST categories.
The 24th AUTOBEST Awards Gala ceremony will take place in Zurich in 2025, at a date to be announced.
Earlier this year, the 23rd edition of the AUTOBEST Awards Gala took place on May 23rd in in the heart of Luxembourg, at the prestigious Leweck Resort, a venue famous for its hospitality and heritage, passed down through generations (https://autobest.org/the-autobest-organisation-celebrated-the-23rd-edition-of-the-gala-awards-in-luxembourg/)
Over two decades, the AUTOBEST Gala Awards has become the key event on the motoring calendar, with world-class artistic content and a unique Grand Finale for the AUTOBEST Award. More information is available at www.autobest.org
ENDS
About AUTOBEST
The AUTOBEST organisation was created in 2001 with the revolutionary concept of finding the ‘Best Buy Car’ available on the European market. For a car to become the AUTOBEST winner, it must represent the best offer for most European car users. Price, service network, spare parts distribution and versatility are the most important criteria in the voting process. Design and new technologies are also becoming a more critical factor for voting. AUTOBEST uses a transparent voting system, with a complex matrix of 13 criteria to decide the winner.
The AUTOBEST jury members represents 31+1 European countries (Russia remains suspended for the time being) – the largest independent motoring jury in Europe and in the world by the number of represented countries. The AUTOBEST jury pays close attention to the automotive industry’s efforts. Investments, new automotive job opportunities, funds for green cars and technologies, the support for different regions of Europe are all carefully checked by the jury. New in-car technologies and connectivity are also under scrutiny.
Contact:
Andreea Oglan
pr@autobest.org
