The latest incarnation of the Renault Clio has been voted Car of the Year 2006. This is the sixth time Renault has won the award.

The ‘Clio III’ was chosen by a jury of 58 motoring journalists from 22 European countries, scoring 256 points, ahead of the VW Passat (251 points) and the Alfa Romeo 159 (212 points).

A total of 28 new models were in the running for the award.

Clio III (pictured) went on sale across Europe in mid-October.

The Renault 16 won in 1966, followed by the Renault 9 in 1982, Clio I in 1991, Mégane Scénic in 1997, and Mégane II in 2003.