The results of the 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards have just been announced. The global jury, consisting of motoring journalists, voted Fiat’s innovative and diminutive 875cc two-cylinder TwinAir the greatest automotive engine available today. Padraic Deane represents Ireland on this global jury.
The tiny turbocharged engine impressed judges with its extremely low emissions, high fuel economy and impressive power of 85bhp. The unit can be found powering Fiat’s hugely fashionable 500 model.
Dean Slavnich, editor of Engine Technology International and co-chairman of the International Engine of the Year Awards, says: “Fiat has now produced one of the all-time great engines. Who would have thought that a two-cylinder unit could have won the International Engine of the Year title when we launched the Awards in 1999? Its triumph is a clear signal that less is more: people want low-emission, fuel-efficient yet powerful engines, and just two cylinders certainly seems to provide a comprehensive solution.”
Indeed, the TwinAir engine not only managed to scoop the overall International Engine of the Year title, but it was also victorious in 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.
Joining Fiat in its success was compatriot and stablemate Ferrari, the judges finding it hard not to be impressed by the Italian car maker's mighty new 570bhp, 4.5-litre V8 engine as featured in the 458 Italia. This wonderful and potent powerplant scooped both Best Performance Engine and Above 4-litre category trophies.
But it was not just the Italian manufacturers who tasted success. BMW is always a major player in these prestigious awards and 2011 has been no exception. The German marque 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.
