Vauxhall’s crucial new Insignia has been named the European Car of the Year (COTY), edging out the Ford Fiesta by a single point.

The competition, in which motoring journalists from 23 European countries vote for their favourite cars from a shortlist of seven vehicles, saw the Insignia collect 321 points and the Fiesta 320.

Volkswagen’s new Golf was third with 223 points.

The finalists also included several key fleet models, with Citroen’s new C5 in fourth place, the Skoda Superb in sixth and Renault’s new Megane in seventh. Alfa Romeo’s new Mito came fifth.

The results

1. Vauxhall Insignia 321 points
2. Ford Fiesta 320 points
3. Volkswagen Golf 223 points
4. Citroen C5 198 points
5. Alfa Romeo Mito 148 points
6. Skoda Superb 144 points
7. Renault Megane 121 points