For the fourth time in the past three years, an Audi has won an EyesOn Design Award, which recognizes the best automotive design displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
This year the panel of judges recognized the redesigned Audi A6 as the "Best Production Vehicle" design displayed at the Detroit show.
"This is strong feedback that we have done our homework," said Achim Badstuebner, head of exterior design for Audi AG, in accepting the award.
In 2010, EyesOn Design judges gave the same award to the Audi A8 luxury sedan. The production car design award went to the Audi R8 V10 in 2009 and that year's award for "Best Concept Vehicle" went to the Audi Sportback Concept, which was shown in Detroit in 2009 and provided significant style cues to the new Audi A7 due to arrive in Spring 2011.
The new Audi A6, which goes on sale in the US this fall as a 2012 model, is 16.14ft long and 6.14 ft wide, but just 4.79 ft high. The long hood, low roofline and prominent lines on the flanks create a dynamic appearance.
Much of the body of the new Audi A6 consists of aluminum and high-tech steels, rendering it light, stiff and safe. State-of-the art design methods and materials ensure extremely low interior noise levels.
The roomy interior of the new A6 echoes the style of the exterior. The salient element is the "wrap-around" - an inlay encircling the driver and front-seat passenger.
The curved dash places the driver at the center. All materials, including an innovative layered-wood veneer, have been selected and crafted with the utmost care. As an option, the front seats can be equipped with ventilation and massage functions.
Leading the judges drawn form the auto industry and design academic programs were Willie G Davidson - Harley-Davidson, EVP & Chief Styling Officer; Tom Matano, Academy of Art University, Executive Director of Industrial Design; and Jack Telnack, Ford Motor Company, Global VP of Design (Retired).
Other finalists for the EyesOn Design Best Production Vehicle Award in 2011 were the Bentley Continental GT, BMW 6-Series Convertible, and Hyundai Veloster.
EyesOn Design at the North American International Auto Show is sponsored by the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO) as part of the EyesOn Design series of events. The DIO is a not-for-profit that aids the visually impaired and facilitates research related to the eye. Each year, they host the EyesOn Design automotive exhibition at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe, Michigan that also focuses on design. The show is recognized by its peers as one of the best classic car shows in the country. The DIO enjoys a close relationship with automotive designers through the EyesOn Design events and by understanding the correlation between design and the eye.