New VW Polo is 'Car of the Year 2010'

Volkswagen's "mini-me Golf", the fifth-generation Polo, has won the coveted 'Car of the Year' award for 2010 with 347 points against 337 for the Toyota iQ mini which came in second. The new Opel / Vauxhall Astra, which was considered by many a favorite to snatch the award and continue General Motors' success with the Insignia that won the 2009 title, finished in third place receiving 221 points.

The other finalists for this year's competition, which brings together a total of 59 motoring journalists from 23 European countries, were the Skoda Yeti with 158 points, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 155 points, the Peugeot 3008 with 144 points and the Citroen Picasso with 113 points.

Car of the Year 2010

1. Volkswagen Polo - 347 points

2. Toyota iQ - 337 points

3. Vauxhall Astra - 221 points

4. Skoda Yeti - 158 points

5. Mercedes-Benz E-class - 155 points

6. Peugeot 3008 - 144 points

7. Citroen C3 Picasso - 113 points

'Car of the Year 2010' Candidates Announced - Toyota has Five Entries

The list with the initial nominees for the 2009 European Car of the Year has been released. Currently there are thirty candidates but the organizing committee noted that more cars could be added by September. The contenders must be new models available in at least five European countries at the time of voting, with projected sales of at least 5,000 units per year. Toyota has five entries this year including the Avensis, the iQ, the Prius, the Urban Cruiser and the Verso people carrier.

Other notable candidates include the Chevy Cruze, Honda Insight, Porshe Panamera and the new generation Opel - Vauxhall Astra which has yet to go on sale. Check out the complete shortlist below.

• BMW Z4

• Chevrolet Cruze

• Citroen C3 Picasso

• Ford Ka

• Honda Insight

• Hyundai i20

• Hyundai ix55

• Kia Sorento

• Kia Soul

• Land Rover Discovery4

• Lexus RX450h

• Mazda 3

• Mercedes-Benz E-class

• Mitsubishi Colt

• Nissan 370Z

• Nissan Cube

• Opel / Vauxhall Astra

• Peugeot 3008

• Porsche Panamera

• Renault Scenic / Grand Scenic

• Seat Exeo

• Skoda Yeti

• Subaru Legacy

• Suzuki Alto / Nissan Pixo

• Toyota Avenis

• Toyota iQ

• Toyota Prius

• Toyota Urban Cruiser

• Toyota Verso

• Volkswagen Polo

Opel Officially Receives 'European Car of Year' Award for the Insignia

It may look like a ceremony for the UEFA cup winner, but in fact, what you're seeing here in this picture is the presentation of the European "Car of the Year 2009" award for the Opel Insignia to GM Europe's President, Carl-Peter Forster. The ceremony took place on Monday 26th, January, at Opel's plant in Russelsheim, Germany, that produces the Insignia. The final results for the 2009 COTY were announced last November. Opel's Insignia claimed victory with a total of 321 points followed by the new Ford Fiesta and the VW Golf VI that gathered 320 and 223 points respectively.

“Car Of The Year 2009” Initial Candidates Announced

The organizing committee of the European “Car of Year 2009” has announced the initial candidates for the prestigious award that was won last year by the highly-successful Fiat 500. Although you might see a larger list on other websites, the official listing from the folks at COTY consists of 25 models.

However, the contenders could be more than 35 by the end of September, which is the final date for this year’s competition. Cars that might be added in this year’s COTY could include the Ford Fiesta, BMW 7-Series, Renault Megane, Alfa Romeo Mito and Opel Insignia. Our guess (from the current nominees)? We’d bet on the Mazda6 and the Seat Ibiza.

Audi A4 - Audi Q5 - BMW X6 - Chevrolet HHR - Chrysler Grand Voyager - Citroën Berlingo / Peugeot Partner - Citroën C5 - Dacia Sandero - Dodge Journey - Ford Kuga - Honda Accord - Hyundai H1/i800 - Hyundai i10 - Jaguar XF - Jeep Cherokee - Lancia Delta - Mazda6 - Mercedes-Benz GLK - Mitsubishi Lancer - Opel – Vauxhall Agila / Suzuki Splash - Renault Kangoo - Renault Koleos - Seat Ibiza - Skoda Superb - Subaru Forester