GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - Europe has voted: about 200,000 Auto Bild readers from 27 countries have selected the most beautiful vehicles for 2009 in five categories. The Volvo S60 Concept won over 28 renowned competitors in the category of Concept Cars. The voting for the Auto Bild Design Award was expanded for the first time to Europe-wide scope this year. Votes were submitted by fax, telephone and Internet.

"We are proud that the daring and exciting design of the Volvo S60 Concept has been honored with such a significant design award at a European level. This is confirmation of our strong belief that we will be offering an extraordinarily attractive alternative in the highly competitive medium premium segment when the new Volvo S60 is launched on the market in 2010," says Thomas Viehweg, managing director of Volvo Car Germany GmbH.

The Volvo S60 Concept was presented to the world public for the first time at the Motor Show in Detroit in January 2009 and opens a new design chapter in the 80-year history of the company. Completely in harmony with the principles of world-famous Scandinavian design, the exterior creates an attractive mix with the coupé-inspired silhouette and the sporty accents. Classic Volvo design elements such as the V-shaped bonnet and the striking shoulders are as much a part of the amazing study as the completely new design elements. These elements include the lean and trim window area graphics and the doors which glide, parallel to the sides of the vehicles, all the way back to the rear wheels at the push of a button. The interior is visually dominated by the glass centre console which flows in a gentle wave from the instrument panel to the back seats.

The Auto Bild Design Award is presented every year. The Volvo C30 won the Auto Bild Design Award in 2006 as the most beautiful compact car model.