Wheels Car of the Year 2016: Today’s the day

What will wear the 2016 Wheels Car of the Year crown? Tonight we find out.

TURN off the TV, switch the mobile phone to silent, and kick the dog outside. You won’t want any distractions, because Australian car industry’s most coveted award, Wheels Car of the Year 2016, will be announced tonight – and you’re invited.

Well, sort of invited. Wheels will provide rolling coverage of tonight’s event via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, culminating in the Wheels Car of the Year unveiling at 9:50pm.

We’ll also be lurking behind the scenes throughout today, so expect a few sneak peeks to pop up on social media.

All up, 25 nominees are vying for Australia’s top motoring honour, which this year folds into the Australian Motoring Awards, an event that brings in Wheels’ sister titles Motor, 4x4 Australia, and WhichCar.

The announcement will take place at a gala industry dinner at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, with special guest Porsche factory driver and 2015 World Endurance Championship winner Mark Webber as the guest of honour.

Alongside the Wheels Car of the Year announcement, Motor will present its award for Performance Car of the Year, 4x4 Australia will name its off-roader of the year, and WhichCar will announce the top spot in its inaugural Style Awards – a celebration of design, innovation and flair voted for by readers.

You’ve already voted for which car you think deserves to win and People's Choice Car of the Year 2016 winner has been decided. Let us know what you think once our champion is announced.