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World Car of the Year 2009
COTY

World Car of the Year 2009

There were no surprises at this year's WCOTY announcement in Detroit for awards judge Samantha Stevens ...

COTY 2008 - Audi A4
COTY

COTY 2008 - Audi A4

Law of diminishing returns sees Ingolstadt's COTY challenge end at final four.

2008 Car of the Year - Honda Accord Euro
COTY

Honda Accord Euro: 2008 Car of the Year Winner

In the magazine: After an absence of 14 years, Honda returns to the winner's podium with a classy sedan.

Ping!
COTY

Ping!

You wrote to us about a problem with our 2008 Car of the Year, and we have responded ...

COTY 2008 - Mazda 6
COTY

COTY 2008 - Mazda 6

Dynamic mid-sizer met with judges' acclaim, but aural assault saw it fall at the last hurdle.

COTY 2008 - Volkswagen Tiguan
COTY

COTY 2008 - Volkswagen Tiguan

Dynamically gifted compact SUV felt the squeeze of family practicalities.

COTY 2008 - Honda Jazz
COTY

COTY 2008 - Honda Jazz

If ESP was fitted, this supermini may have had something to really trumpet.

COTY 2008 - Ford Falcon
COTY

COTY 2008 - Ford Falcon

Falcon was expected to fly in 2008; instead, it made a shock exit after Stage Two.

COTY 2008 - Honda Accord
COTY

COTY 2008 - Honda Accord

Big on value; useful V6 tech, but dull dynamics blunt Accord's challenge.

COTY 2008 - Subaru Forester
COTY

COTY 2008 - Subaru Forester

Once-sharp SUV loses its edge, despite being safer and more spacious.

COTY 2008 - Mitsu Lancer Ralliart Sportback
COTY

COTY 2008 - Mitsu Lancer Ralliart Sportback

'Evo lite' not without virtue, but lacks the depth to run with COTY heavyweights.

COTY 2008 - Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
COTY

COTY 2008 - Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Uncompromising performance proves both a strength and a weakness.

COTY 2008 - Peugeot 308
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Peugeot 308

Premium European pricing, but lacking the requisite je ne sais quoi.

COTY 2008 - Mazda CX-9
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Mazda CX-9

A roomy, refined and surprisingly dynamic large SUV, but mould remains unbroken.

COTY 2008 - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Fabulous tech and undoubted bang for buck, but too hardcore for COTY greatness.

COTY 2008 - Smart ForTwo
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Smart ForTwo

Much improved, but needs a broader skill set to make sense in Oz.

COTY 2008 - Jaguar XF
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: Jaguar XF

A welcome return to form but let down by sub-standard petrol V6 powerplant.

COTY 2008 - BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible
COTY

2008 Car of the Year Finalist: BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible

COTY success evades BMW again despite engaging dynamics and refined drivetrains.

COTY 2008 - Carmageddon
COTY

2008 Car of the Year: Carmageddon

Michael Stahl looks over the auto mania and mysticism that was Car of the Year 2008.

COTY 2008 - Judge and jury
COTY

COTY 2008 - Judge and jury

Introducing the 2008 Car of the Year panel.

The Bible - COTY criteria
COTY

The Bible - COTY criteria

A breakdown of the five COTY commandments.

GALLERY: Car of the Year 2005 - Intro
COTY

GALLERY: Car of the Year 2005 - Intro

GALLERY: Car of the Year 2005 - Intro

GALLERY: The final four, COTY 2008
COTY

The final four, COTY 2008

The final four, COTY 2008

GALLERY: The proving ground, COTY 2008
COTY

The proving ground, COTY 2008

The proving ground, COTY 2008