European Car Of The Year 2008 contenders announced

Contestants for this year’s European Car Of The Year awards have been announced, with this year’s field comprising 32 entrants from around the world. Last year’s comp saw Ford’s S-Max MPV take top honors, edging out the Opel Corsa and Citroen’s Picasso. This year’s roundup includes cars like the Audi A5, Ford Mondeo, BMW X5, Fiat 500, Mercedes C-class, the Smart ForTwo and the Dodge Nitro.

The cars will be picked by a panel of 58 judges representing 22 countries across Europe. The number of judges from each country will depend on the size of the country's car market and its importance in car manufacturing. France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain each have six members, while other countries have proportionally fewer representatives.

The winner will be announced on November 19th with a trophy presentation planned to take place in Hamburg in January. Follow the jump to see a full list of all 32 contenders.

While all the models listed are impressive in their own way, we're placing our bets on the new Ford Mondeo or Mazda2 to take the title.

* Audi A5/S5

* BMW X5

* Chrysler Sebring

* Citroën C-Crosser/Mitsubishi Outlander/Peugeot 4007

* Daihatsu Materia

* Dodge Nitro

* Fiat 500

* Fiat Bravo

* Ford Mondeo

* Honda CR-V

* Hyundai i30

* Jeep Patriot

* Jeep Wrangler

* Kia cee’d

* Land Rover Freelander 2

* Lexus LS460/600h

* Mazda2

* Mazda CX7

* Mercedes C-Class

* Nissan Qashqai

* Nissan X-Trail

* Opel Antara

* Peugeot 308

* Renault Laguna

* Renault Twingo II

* SsangYong Actyon

* Skoda Fabia

* Smart ForTwo

* Subaru Impreza

* Toyota Auris/Corolla

* Volkswagen Tiguan

* Volvo V70/XC70