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The Fiat 500 received 385 votes, while the Mazda 2 had 325 and the Ford Mondeo garnered 202

The Fiat 500 has taken the title of European Car of the Year 2008, fighting off the strongest competition for years.

A jury of 58 motoring journalists from 22 European countries placed the Fiat 500 ahead of the Mazda 2, which took second place and the Ford Mondeo in third.

Journalists around the globe critically acclaimed the Fiat when it was launched on the 4th July this year.

Order books have been overflowing, with 105,000 people putting down a deposit in Italy and France alone.

This is the 12th time Fiat has won the prestigious title, the 124 starting the winning streak in 1967. In 2004 the Panda secured gold, again.

The Fiat 500 boasts many appealing features beyond its fashionable looks. It gained a five-star Euro NCAP rating and comes with seven airbags as standard.

All its engines comply with environmentally friendly Euro 5 emissions standards, which are set to come into force in two years time.

The 500 is available in the broadest range ever offered by Fiat. Customers can choose from three engines, 12 colours, 15 interiors, nine types of alloy wheel and 19 types of sticker ranging from racing stripes to the Italian flag.

500,000 different variations are possible, meaning that every 500 you see can have a slightly different twist.

The Car of the Year awards were conceived in 1964, and entrants must be on sale in at least five European markets to qualify.

Design, comfort, safety, economic operation, driveability, performance, practicality, respect for the environment, price and value for money are all tested. All new models are considered at the outset; with seven cars reaching the final short list. 

Judges have 25 points each to distribute, with a maximum of 10 being given to a single model.

The Fiat 500 received 385 votes, while the Mazda 2 had 325 and the Ford Mondeo garnered 202.

The remaining four entrants were the Kia Cee’d (166 points), Nissan Qashqai (147), Mercedes C-class (128) and Peugeot 308 (97).

Vijay Pattni takes a look at previous European Car of the Year winners