In a poll to determine the cars with the best design, readers of the German motoring magazine “Auto Zeitung” have voted the Mercedes-Benz brand into top place three times: the GLA won in the SUV class, while the new C-Class was victorious among the saloons as well as being voted as champion across all classes.

The only criterion that the readers of “Auto Zeitung” needed to consider in their decision was: Which new model features the best design? Votes in the Design Trophy were cast in six vehicle categories, three of which were won by Mercedes-Benz – as also in the previous year.

The most beautiful car of them all – and thus the overall Design Champion – according to the magazine’s readers, was the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The saloon also won in its own category.

In visual terms, the Mercedes-Benz designers adopted a progressive approach to the design of the new C-Class, as evidenced by its clear yet emotional design and high-class interior.

Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG: “The new C-Class showcases automotive passion by way of a contemporary design idiom. This modernistic style of design is highlighted by progressive as well as emotional touches that convey a sense of sensual purity. The new C-Class interprets a new standard of modern luxury”.

The winner in the SUV category was the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Progressive in its design, it offers a convincing new interpretation of the compact SUV segment. Youthful, with flowing dynamic lines and exuding subtle excitement, the newcomer’s typical Mercedes genes allow it to offer a glimpse of the future for this category of vehicle as a means of escaping the humdrum.

View the photo gallery below to see why these cars were victorious.

Mercedes-Benz is know for setting sustainable trends in automotive design while maintaining the utmost attractiveness. The jury of the world’s most renowned design competition has acknowledged Mercedes by awarding them the coveted red dot award for three new Mercedes-Benz car models simultaneously. The winners are the B-Class, the C-Class Coupé and the SLS AMG Roadster. The smart ebike has received the red dot: best of the best award for highest design quality.

The red dot design award dates back to 1955 and is now one of the world’s largest and most distinguished design competitions. More than 14,000 participations from over 70 nations in 2011 alone document the relevance of the internationally sought-after red dot.

In 2012, 1,800 companies and designers from 58 countries registered to the “red dot award: product design” and grabbed their chance to prove their design ability in an international comparison with renowned designers and up-and-coming talents. Within the competition’s 19 different categories, a total of 4,515 registrations have been submitted. But only the best were awarded.

According to the hard-to-please and highly respected jury, the new B-Class, the C-Class Coupé and the SLS AMG Roadster satisfy these stringent requirements, all earning the red dot award for high design quality. In addition to the three car models, the Actros truck is also permitted to bear the red dot label.

The smart ebike has received the red dot: best of the best award for highest design quality.