BMW has taken two titles at this year’s Golden Steering Wheel awards in Germany. The electric i3, the second Neue Klasse model, won the Mid-size Cars category, and the M2 CS took the Sports Cars class. The awards are run by Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag and are 50 years old this year.

The 2026 edition of the Golden Steering Wheel (Goldenes Lenkrad) has given BMW two category wins. The all-electric BMW i3 won the Mid-size Cars class, and the BMW M2 CS came out ahead in the Sports Cars category.

The i3 result continues a run for BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. The BMW iX3 was the first model built on that architecture, and it took the Best Innovation award at last year’s event. The i3 is the second Neue Klasse car, and BMW says the repeat win shows how highly the technology is rated.

How the winners were chosen

Between 2 July and 2 August, readers picked 27 finalists from 79 new models spread across nine categories. Three models from each class went through to the finals at the DEKRA-Lausitzring circuit in Germany in September. There, a panel of racing drivers, celebrity car enthusiasts and motoring editors-in-chief tested the cars. They scored everyday usability, quality, sustainability, powertrains and driving characteristics. Value for money and efficiency also counted towards the final result.

According to BMW, the jury rated the i3 clearly ahead of the other finalists in its class. It took first place for visibility, infotainment, graphics and software display, build quality, start-up behaviour, power delivery, acceleration, agility, steering, braking feel, WLTP consumption and value for money.

BMW AG chairman Milan Nedeljković said the two wins reflect the strength and breadth of the brand’s model range. He added that the i3 shows how the Neue Klasse combines innovation with driving pleasure, while the M2 CS sets standards in its segment for performance and driving dynamics.

The first electric 3 Series

The i3 is the first fully electric BMW 3 Series built on the Neue Klasse platform. It went on sale on 30 September in two versions. The i3 50 xDrive produces 345 kW (469 hp), and the i3 40 xDrive produces 275 kW (374 hp). BMW quotes WLTP combined energy consumption of 18.0–13.4 kWh/100 km for the 50 xDrive and 17.9–14.3 kWh/100 km for the 40 xDrive.

The i3 uses sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology, Symbiotic Drive driver assistance and the “Heart of Joy” high-performance computer. The cabin has BMW Panoramic iDrive and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Amazon Alexa+ AI technology allows natural spoken dialogue with the car and will be rolled out in stages.

Range and charging

BMW quotes a maximum WLTP range of 912 km (567 miles). Peak charging power is 400 kW, which the company says adds up to 423 km (263 miles) of range in 10 minutes. The i3 also supports bidirectional charging, so it can act as a mobile power bank or as energy storage at home.

M2 CS: the lightest M2 of its generation

The M2 CS uses a 3.0-litre straight-six with M TwinPower Turbo technology. It produces 390 kW (530 hp) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) between 2,750 and 5,730 rpm. Drive goes to the rear wheels through a standard eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. BMW has used carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic for many exterior and interior parts, which makes this the lightest M2 of the current generation.

BMW quotes 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 3.8 seconds, 80–120 km/h in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 302 km/h (188 mph). Combined WLTP fuel consumption is 10.0 l/100 km, with CO₂ emissions of 226 g/km. Alongside its test scores, the jury singled out the car’s value for money.

BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel said the company is proud of the result. He described the M2 CS as a car that works both on track and in everyday use, and said it continues a line that began with the BMW 2002 turbo.

What it means

The Golden Steering Wheel was first awarded in 1976 and is one of the best-known car awards on the German market. Two wins in a row for Neue Klasse models give BMW’s new electric architecture outside endorsement as more models built on it reach showrooms.

Facts: BMW i3

  • i3 50 xDrive: 345 kW (469 hp)
  • i3 40 xDrive: 275 kW (374 hp)
  • Range: up to 912 km (567 miles), WLTP
  • Charging: up to 400 kW; up to 423 km (263 miles) added in 10 minutes
  • Bidirectional charging
  • Market launch: 30 September

Facts: BMW M2 CS

  • Engine: 3.0-litre straight-six, twin-turbo
  • Power: 390 kW (530 hp)
  • Torque: 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) at 2,750–5,730 rpm
  • Gearbox: eight-speed M Steptronic, rear-wheel drive
  • 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): 3.8 s
  • Top speed: 302 km/h (188 mph)
  • Fuel consumption: 10.0 l/100 km (WLTP combined)

The BMW i3 has been on sale since 30 September. BMW’s figures refer to German-market vehicles.

Source: newsroom.bmwgroup.com