The new Fiat 500 has been voted "Car of the Year 2008" by leading European motoring journalists.

The title was awarded by a panel of 58 senior motoring journalists from 22 European countries, who vote for the most outstanding new car to go on sale in the last 12 months.

The super-compact Fiat 500 beat the Mazda 2 and the Ford Mondeo into second and third place respectively.

Launched across Europe on July 4, Fiat has sold more than 105,000 units of the model in Italy and France alone.

In addition to winning the "Car of the Year" award outright, the Fiat 500 distinguished itself by obtaining votes from most members of the jury - 57 out of 58 included it in their short-list, and 33 made it top in their personal rankings.

This is the second time - the first was the Fiat Panda in 2004 - that a segment A model has won what is regarded by many as the world’s most prestigious car industry award.

Fiat has now won the prestigious award a whopping 12 times - the Fiat 124 (1967), Fiat 128 (1970), Fiat 127 (1972), Lancia Delta (1980), Fiat Uno (1984), Fiat Tipo (1989), Fiat Punto (1995), Fiat Bravo/Brava (1996), Alfa 156 (1998), Alfa 147 (2001), Fiat Panda (2004) and the Fiat 500 (2008).

The "Car of the Year" award first started in 1964, and in order to enter the competition, new cars must have been sold in at least five different European markets in the course of the year.

Judgments are expressed on the following parameters - design, comfort, safety, economy, handling, performance, functionality, environmental requirements, driver satisfaction, and price.

Technical innovation and value for money are particularly important factors.

The award ceremony for the "Car of The Year 2008", which this year is being organised by the German magazine Stern, will take place in Berlin on 28 January 2008.

Top 5 cars:
1. Fiat 500
2. Mazda 2
3. Ford Mondeo
4. Kia Cee'd
5. Nissan Qashqai

The article Fiat 500 drives away with coveted award originally appeared on 999 Today