THE new British-built Vauxhall Astra has won one of Germany's top automotive awards.

The car, which is made at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory in Cheshire, was named the best new compact model in this year's Golden Steering Wheel Awards.

The honours, which are organised by Germany's leading motoring magazines Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag, are decided by a jury consisting of readers, experts and celebrities who pick the best newcomers each year after extensive test drives.

Vauxhall/Opel Group chief executive Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann and chief marketing officer Tina Muller received the award at a presentation ceremony staged at the Axel-Springer-Haus in Berlin.

"We at Vauxhall/Opel can be extremely proud of this Golden Steering Wheel. It proves that all of our efforts have paid off," said Dr Neumann.

Since going on sale only a few weeks ago more than 40,000 orders have been placed for the new Astra which is the first Vauxhall to feature Vauxhall's new OnStar connectivity system as standard.

The new Astra, priced from £15,295 and sold as an Opel in Europe, weighs up to 200kg less than the previous model which has helped make it more fuel efficient.

It is also fitted with the latest ‘infotainment' that feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowing smartphones to be used to the full on the move.