In one of the hardest-fought contests in recent years, Opel's Insignia has taken the honours as 2009 European Car of the Year, polling 321 votes.

The 59-strong jury of senior motoring journalists from 23 European countries voted the Insignia first, with the favoured Ford Fiesta and latest generation Volkswagen Golf coming in second and third respectively.

This year, 37 cars were put forward for COTY, with just seven short-listed for the ultimate award, which represents the most outstanding car launched in the last 12 months. Each contender must be on sale in at least five European countries.

The Insignia's triumph marks the third COTY accolade for Opel. In 1985, the Astra won the title, followed two years later by the Omega.