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International Engine of the Year Awards
And the (engine) Oscar goes to...
Some surprises and some veterans in this year's International Engine of the Year Awards
The word 'International' is misused nowadays. Case in point: A basketball championship battle between two American states is dubbed as an international award. And it doesn't end there—it's true for most things, including the Academy Awards, where non-English films end up merely in the 'foreign language' category. However, despite the “internationalization” of American awards, there are still some truly international awards out there, and one of them is the annual International Engine of the Year Awards.
Judged by 62 motoring journalists from 30 countries—including Japan, China, New Zealand, Korea, Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom and, of course, the United States—the awards have been given out since 1999 and have been among the most sought-after accolades. The engines are evaluated based on impressions from today's vehicles, with criteria including drivability, performance, economy and refinement. Application of advanced technology helps, too.
Best Sub 1.0-liter
Toyota 1SZ-FE (Yaris, Aygo)
Thanks to all-aluminum construction, resin throttle body and fuel lines (instead of metal), and an incorporated air-intake/engine cover design, this is the lightest combustion engine on sale today. Weighing in at 69 kilograms, this is even lighter than a contemporary F1 engine. Though the 67hp/93Nm figure may be modest at best, thanks to the low weight and low friction properties of the engine, the Toyota 1SZ-FE is a highly capable city car engine and provides class-leading fuel economy.
Best 1.0- to 1.4-liter
Volkswagen 1.4L TSI Twincharger (Golf, Jetta)
Picking up where it left off a year ago, the VW 1.4L TSI successfully defended its category by a huge margin over its rivals. Aside from employing direct-injection petrol technology, the Twincharger is unique thanks to its turbocharger/supercharger combination. As a result, this engine manages to plug the performance hole if a single forced induction system is used. Despite the small displacement, this engine pushes out 168hp and 240Nm of torque from as low as 1,750rpm.
Best 1.4- to 1.8-liter
BMW-PSA 1.6L Turbo (Mini, Peugeot 207)
The biggest complaint about the Mini Mk I was its ancient iron block engine. Thankfully for the Mk II, BMW developed an all-new, lightweight in-line-four. The result is an immediate winner in the International Engine of the Year Awards. Shared with the Peugeot 207, this 1.6-liter engine features a twin-turbo system with 175hp and 240Nm from a wide torque band. With a move toward 'engine downsizing', where car manufacturers have to develop more power from smaller, more fuel-efficient engines, this little number seems like the enthusiast's choice.
Best 1.8- to 2.0-liter
Volkswagen/Audi 2.0L FSI Turbo (Volkswagen Golf, Audi A4)
Winning this category three years in a row, the VW/Audi 2.0L FSI Turbo's claim to fame is its extreme versatility. Numerous VW products share this engine—from the VW Golf and the Audi A4 to even the Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia. Even its power output ranges from an already-impressive 197hp to a heart-pumping 261hp! The engine has its modest beginnings as a 2.0-liter normally aspirated unit, but its subsequent modification into a turbocharged one made it shine.
Best 2.0- to 2.5-liter
BMW 2.5L N52B25 (325i, 525i, Z4 and X3)
When they say the BMW in-line-six is one of the world's best, they certainly aren't kidding. This year, the 218hp/250Nm engine from Bavaria takes the plum, thanks to its extreme smoothness, efficiency and drivability. Pure and unadulterated from an engineer's point of view, this engine features high-tech materials such as magnesium-aluminum alloy for the crankcase. And thanks to less weight, this engine, when plugged into the hood of a 3-Series or a Z4, produces a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Undoubtedly one of the world's most famous engines, this is one the judges call a “delight to drive”.
Best 2.5- to 3.0-liter
BMW N54B30 Turbo (335i)
BMW's dominance in this particular category is so unchallenged that the top three contenders were all from the Bavarian car manufacturer. This year, though, the twin-turbo petrol replaces last year's winner, the twin-turbo diesel. BMW's return to a turbocharged petrol engine is marked with high tech. The use of direct-injection technology as well as twin low-pressure turbochargers effectively eliminates all the cons of a turbocharged engine while retaining all of its pros. Used solely in the BMW 335i coupe, this engine develops a healthy 306hp and it comes out lighter, more fuel-efficient and more rev-happy than a big-displacement V8.
Best 3.0- to 4.0-liter
Porsche 3.6L Turbo (911 Turbo)
It takes something extra special to dethrone BMW's S54 3.2-liter, a winner since 2001. Behold Porsche's 3.6-liter Turbo from the new 911 Turbo. Aside from being one of the best flat-six engines ever produced, this one features technology that not only increases performance but also makes it perfect for everyday driving. This is the first Porsche turbo that uses variable turbine geometry. This means the 3.6-liter is able to combine the benefits of both small and large scroll turbos.
Best 4.0-liter and above
BMW 5.0 S85 (M5, M6)
Winning the plum for the third consecutive year, the BMW 5.0-liter V10 underneath the M5 and M6 performance cars has won no fewer than eight engine Oscars. The 507hp/520Nm engine is, according to the judges, both lust-worthy in terms of technology and drivability. The engine features a 90-degree V angle, meaning it can be fitted lower under the hood of the M5 and the M6. Being lightweight is the name of the game and this engine wins it with such details as a 5mm valve shaft! And there's the cylinder crankcase made of hypereutectic aluminum silicon alloy. There's no other engine in production with as large a dose of F1 technology as this one.
Engine of the Year
BMW N54B30 Turbo
This year, Germans showed their engineering superiority with seven out of eight top nominees coming from Munich, Stuttgart and Wolfsburg. However, there can only be one winner, and that's the new kid on the cylinder block: the BMW 3.0-liter twin-turbo in-line-six. Despite the long absence of forced induction in its petrol engines, the N54B30 Turbo is a perfect addition to BMW's engine lineup. The V8-like power is surely a draw, but so are its efficiency and technology. This marks the third straight year that BMW has won the coveted award.
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Top Gear Philippines - July 2007
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