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International Engine of the Year Awards 2011

Fiat TwinAir Engine of the Year

The winners of the International Engine of the Year Awards have been announced and its a little engine that could from Fiat that has taken out the top prize. Punching well above its weight the 875cc TwinAir motor has modest power outputs, ranging from 65–105hp. It’s currently not available in Australia, but can be found in the Fiat 500 in overseas markets.

A jury of 76 judges from across the globe voted on the awards and here’s what John Carey, from Wheels magazine, had to say about the TwinAir donk, “This is proof that aggressive downsizing need not spell timid performance. Surprisingly torquey, impressively and affordably efficient, this tiny twin also has plenty of character.”

Not content with overall honours, the Fiat TwinAir also won the Sub 1-litre, Best New Engine and Green Engine categories.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2011

Fiat 875cc TwinAir

Fiat takes 2011 Engine of the Year title

An array of victories have been awarded to the revolutionary TwinAir engine by Fiat Powertrain, as part of the International Engine of the Year 2011 competition. The engine gained a generous four acknowledgements, excelling over the competitors’ units in all categories in which it competed.

The jury, consisting of 76 journalists and industry experts from 36 different countries, not only decreed the success of the TwinAir engine in its own displacement category (less than 1,000 cm3), but actually elected it International Engine of the Year 2011, assigning it the top award in the competition. The TwinAir engine by Fiat Powertrain also won the Best New Engine 2011 and Best Green Engine 2011 awards.

An unprecedented triumph, added to the Best New Engine 2010 award which the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo engine was awarded last year, confirmed Fiat Powertrain’s leadership in developing and producing small displacement engines with a high technological content and low environmental impact.

Currently available in Europe in the 85 HP Turbo configuration in the Fiat 500/500C and, soon, in the new Chrysler Ypsilon, the TwinAir will shortly also be launched on the European market in a 65 HP aspirated version and in another high-performance 105 HP Turbo version, at the very top of the category in terms of specific power (120 HP/litre), as well as in the ecological 80 HP Turbo bi-fuel version.

The epitome of the downsizing concept, the efficient engines in the TwinAir family feature the sophisticated MultiAir technology for the smart management of the intake valves, which affords brilliant performance levels and, concurrently, extremely low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Members of the jury had some highly flattering comments to make about the TwinAir: “This is proof that aggressive downsizing need not spell timid performance. Surprisingly torquey, impressively and affordably efficient, this tiny twin also has plenty of character,” said Australian judge, John Carey of Wheels.

“Four trophies in one year? A remarkable performance! TwinAir has written its place in the history of the International Engine of the Year Awards,” said Dean Slavnich, Engine Technology International.

The awards were collected by Eng. Aldo Marangoni, Product Engineering Vice President and by Eng. Dario Sacco, Engines Platform Vice President.

“Today’s success is the crowning moment of all our hard work in researching innovative technological solutions and designing increasingly efficient engines. Our engines contribute towards sustaining the leadership position of the Fiat S.p.A. group in the rankings of the most eco-friendly car manufacturers,” declared the managers of Fiat Powertrain at the end of the award-giving ceremony.

 

Audi wins International Engine of the Year Award 2011 for 2.5-liter TFSI

  • Best engine in 2-liter to 2.5-liter category for second year in a row
  • Seventh category award win in a row for Audi TFSI technology

A jury of 76 motoring journalists from around the world has voted the Audi 2.5-liter TFSI as the “International Engine of the Year 2011” in the 2-liter to 2.5-liter category. This engine therefore retains the award that it won last year.

The 2.5-liter unit fitted to the Audi RS 3 Sportback and TT RS Coupé and Roadster features both turbocharging and FSI direct gasoline injection technology, two of Audi’s core technologies. With a displacement of 2,480 cubic centimeters, this engine produces 250 kW (340 hp) between 5,400 and 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) from 1,600 to 5,300 rpm.

International Engine of the Year jury members said of the 2.5-liter engine: “This is certainly the best turbocharged engine in recent years. Torque, power, and great sound – this engine has it all! It is a powerful, visceral reminder of the original quattro rally racing engine that put Audi on the map.”

Developed by quattro GmbH, the Audi TT RS Coupé can sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds (Roadster: 4.4 seconds) and both the Coupè and Roadster have an optional top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph).

Audi now offers the same engine that powers the two TT RS models in the RS 3 Sportback. It takes 4.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) – a best-in-class performance figure. Its governed top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).

This is the seventh category win in a row at the International Engine of the Year Awards for Audi TFSI technology. Between 2005 and 2009, the Audi 2.0-liter TFSI engine has won the award in the 1.8 to 2.0-liter category.

 

2011 “Engine of the Year Award”: Four titles for the BMW Group

  • Engines featuring four, six and eight cylinders prevail in their respective displacement classes – BMW Group most successful manufacturer in the most significant international competition.

18.05.2011 Munich/ Stuttgart. With four class victories in the competition “International Engine of the Year Award” 2011, the BMW Group repeated last year’s success, whilst at the same time strengthening its position as the most successful manufacturer to take part in the competition. Four, six and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines prevailed in their respective displacement classes. The award-winning engines are featured in a number of current models of the BMW and MINI brands. In addition to the V8 power unit of the BMW M3 and the straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, the four-cylinder diesel with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and the new four-cylinder power unit under the bonnet of the MINI Cooper S also received an Engine of the Year award. The commendation of the award-winners took place during the trade fair “Engine Expo” in Stuttgart.

The success in four of the eight capacity classes in the world’s most renowned engine competition underscores yet again the BMW Group’s outstanding expertise in the field of engine development. Thanks to Efficient Dynamics there is a choice of exceptionally powerful and at the same time remarkably efficient engines available for all models of the BMW and MINI brands. Since 1999, the company has been able to claim more than 50 class and overall victories in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition.

Commendation for the awards is decided by an international jury, which consisted this year of 65 car journalists from 32 countries. In the capacity class 1.4 to 1.8 litres an award went to the engine featured in the new MINI Cooper S. The 1.6-litres four-cylinder engine is equipped with a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct petrol injection as well as variable valve control based on the BMW-patented VALVETRONIC system. This combination renders the 135 kW/184 bhp engine the world’s most efficient power unit of its type and size. It assumes the title from the predecessor engine used in the MINI Cooper S, which was able to seize the class victory in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition four times in a row.

The second victory in succession went to the four-cylinder diesel engine with TwinPower Turbo technology. Like last year, the 2-litre power unit featured in the BMW 123d and the BMW X1 xDrive23d was also successful in the engine category 1.8 to 2 litres. With its impressive pulling power and exceptionally low fuel consumption and emission levels, the 150 kW/204 bhp engine still sets the benchmark in its class.

A BMW engine was able to repeat last year’s victory in the capacity class 2.5 to 3 litres as well. The jury voted once again for the 3-litre, 225 kW/306 bhp straight six-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which is also featured in the new BMW 5 Series, in the new BMW X3 as well as in a 235 kW/320 bhp version of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible and the new BMW 6 Series Coupé. Its unique technology package comprising a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct injection technology High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC valve control ensures a particularly favourable relation between driving pleasure and fuel consumption. In this area, it even surpasses its predecessor, which was not only able to win the class valuation in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition three times, but also claim overall victory spanning several categories in 2007 and 2008.

The only naturally aspirated engine amongst the four award-winners is responsible for the currently most impressive series of victories. For the fourth time in succession the V8 power unit featured in the BMW M3 was triumphant in the 3 to 4-litre capacity class. The 309 kW/420 bhp, 4-litre engine convinced the jury yet again with the exceptional pulling power generated by the characteristic high-revving concept utilised on this power unit. The engine under the bonnets of the high-performance sports cars BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Saloon and BMW M3 Convertible combines its outstanding performance characteristics with remarkable efficiency, which is attributable among other things to the Auto Start Stop function, brake energy regeneration and further Efficient Dynamics technologies.

 

Ferrari 458 Italia scoops best performance engine award

The 4499 cc V8 engine powering the Ferrari 458 Italia has won two categories in the prestigious 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards, taking the accolade of Best Performance Engine as well as winning the Above 4-litre category.

The jury for the awards is made up of 76 motoring journalists from 36 countries who assess engineering excellence in engines in terms of driveability, performance, economy and refinement. In assigning the awards the jury also praised the 458 Italia’s engine for its unmistakable sound. The awards were received by Jean Jacques His, head of Ferrari powertrain department.

Ferrari’s dry-sump, flat-crank, 90-degree V8 sets a number of firsts for a naturally-aspirated engine of this displacement. Representing the peak of engine technology, the V8 reaches a maximum of 9,000 rpm – a first on a road car – with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio and maximum power output of 570 CV. This equates to an outstanding power output of 127 CV/litre, a new benchmark.

The generous torque available – 540 Nm at 6000 rpm, with over 80 per cent available from 3250 rpm – ensures rapid pick-up from all revs. The specific torque output of 120 Nm/l is another record.

The design of the engine components has been influenced by the carry-over of racing technology – F1 in particular – for maximum fluid-dynamic efficiency in order to achieve both performance and fuel consumption objectives, and meet the most stringent international emissions restrictions. With the introduction of the HELE (High Emotions Low Emissions) system, the 570 CV V8 now produces a best-in-class 275 g/km of CO2 with fuel consumption of just 11.8 l/100 km (ECE + EUDC combined cycle).

 

‘Engine of the Year Award’ for the 1.4 TSI

  • Volkswagen takes prestigious prize for sixth time in a row

Wolfsburg / Stuttgart, 19 May 2011 – Volkswagen has once again won the International ‘Engine of the Year Award’ for its 1.4 TSI engine in the 1.0 to 1.4 litres category. Thanks to the twincharger principle of an exhaust turbocharger and a supercharger, the 1.4 TSI is seen to have especially high pulling power and efficiency. Dr. Hermann Middendorf from Volkswagen Petrol Engine Development accepted the prize at a ceremony in Stuttgart.

“TSI at Volkswagen stands for the route to sustainable mobility of the future. Compared to other motors, the TSI engines show an appreciably better record over their full lifecycle in terms of fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions,” explained Middendorf in his acceptance speech in Stuttgart.

The judges will also have been impressed by the fact that the 1.4 TSI engine achieves excellent results not only when running on petrol, but also as the base engine for the gas-powered Eco-Fuel models. A total of 65 motoring journalists from 32 different countries assessed the engines in the test on driveability, noise levels, smooth running and fuel economy.