The results of the 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards have been announced at Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. The global jury, consisting of some of the world’s most respected and popular motoring journalists, voted Fiat’s 875cc two-cylinder TwinAir the greatest automotive engine available today. The tiny turbocharged engine impressed judges with its extremely low emissions, high fuel economy and impressive power of 85bhp. The unit powers none other than the Fiat 500. The engine also received the Best New Engine, Best Sub 1-litre, and Best Green Engine categories, even beating zero-emission pure electric vehicle engines from Nissan and Mitsubishi in the latter category.
BMW bagged four category wins, including the ‘3-litre to 4-litre’ category for its 4-litre V8 found in the M3; the ‘2.5-litre to 3-litre’ category for its 3-litre DI Twin Turbo fitted across much of its range; the ‘1.8-litre to 2-litre’ category for its 2-litre Twin Turbo diesel engine found in the 123d and X1; and the ‘1.4-litre to 1.8-litre’ category for its 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine co-developed with PSA Peugeot Citroën, which also scooped the same Award. Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger engine, which won the overall International Engine of the Year title in both 2009 and 2010, once again defended its crown in the ‘1-litre to 1.4-litre’ category. The ‘Best Performance Engine’ and ‘Above 4-litre’ category trophies went to the new 570bhp, 4.5-litre V8 engine which does duty in the Ferrari 458 Italia.
