Accolades heaped on Generation 6000 built-in appliances

Even before their market launch, new built-in appliances from Miele (Generation 6000) received no less than 8 'red dot' design awards. A further award went to a washer-dryer stack designed for commercial use. The 'red dot' has been awarded since 1955 and counts among the most coveted of design decorations worldwide.

Both new Generation 6000 design lines were awarded cross-product prizes: 'PureLine' was designed by Miele to blend in with open-plan, contemporary kitchens. Characteristic traits of this design line are the high proportion of glass in machine frontages which blends perfectly with Miele colour worlds of Stainless steel CleanSteel, Brilliant White, Obsidian Black and Havana Brown. ContourLine appliances, by contrast, are typically combined with more traditional kitchen styles. Here, the machines with their striking stainless-steel frame and solid handle create visual highlights. A second cross-product prize was awarded for an appliance combination in Obsidian Black, consisting of a wall oven, a coffee machine, a combination steam cooker and a Gourmet warmer drawer.

Exquisite pleasure is represented by the new built-in coffee machines and steam cookers from Miele. The CVA 6805 (coffee machine) and DG 6800 (steam cooker) flagship models earned their accolades for exceptional technical features. Both models feature Miele's M Touch display with an intuitive user interface reminiscent of the philosophy demonstrated by smart phones. The outstanding technical feature on the CVA 6805 is the CupSensor which automatically adjusts the height of the spout to the size of cup or glass below. The salient feature on the DG 6800 is MultiSteam technology, resulting in short heat-up times, uniform steam distribution and, not least, in particularly delectable results.

Design elements from Generation 6000 such as the array of sensor controls providing fast access to key functions have also been transferred to the new refrigeration products. Of these, two were awarded a 'red dot': the K 37472 iD refrigerator and the KFN 37452 iDE fridge-freezer combination. Both sport the new FlexiLight feature. FlexiLight is innovative LED glass-edge lighting which provides effective and uniform illumination throughout the cabinet. And, when relocated to alternative levels, glass shelves take their light with them. Another exceptional detail on the fridge-freezer combination is the ice-cube maker.

The M 6260 TC microwave oven also counts among the Generation 6000 built-in appliances from Miele to be awarded a prize for excellence. This model features a particularly large interior with a volume of 46 l. Both in terms of design and its wide range of applications, this model complements the Miele product family ideally.

From professionals for professionals: With the PWT 6089 washer-dryer stack, Miele has demonstrated vividly that commercial laundry machines, too, can compete for design prizes and win. Both the washer-extractor and the tumble dryer offer an 8 kg load capacity. Miele's proverbial quality is manifested not least by the machines' outer appearance, with a stainless-steel front and side panels in Octoblue, powder-coated. Offering a large selection of programmes, this washer-dryer stack adapts to the needs of individual users.

In the 'Product Design' category, more than 4600 products were registered for this year's competition. The valid assessment criteria are degree of innovation, functionality, formal quality, ergonomics, durability, symbolic content and emotional appeal, product periphery, self-explanatory qualities and environmental compatibility.

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Company profile: Miele is the world leader in the field of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floorcare products. This line-up is augmented by dishwashers, washer-extractors and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications (Miele Professional). The company, founded in 1899, has 8 production plants in Germany and one plant each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China and Romania. 2011/12 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.04 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for 70%. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries. The Miele company, now in the fourth generation of family ownership, employs a workforce of oven 16,700 with two-thirds in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.