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Ferrari storms the International Engine of the Year Awards 2016

9e651dbd86d573da_orgFerrari raced to a memorable victory at this year’s International Engine of the Year Awards, scooping the International Engine of the Year prize for its 3.9-litre bi-turbo V8, found in the Ferrari 488 GTB. See the full results for each category (below)

Ferrari was awarded the crown at the ceremony yesterday (Wednesday 1 June) at Engine Expo 2016 in Stuttgart. The awards are recognised as the industry’s top accolades for the world’s best powertrain technology, judged by a fully independent, international panel of 62 industry experts, including Padraic Deane, who has represented Ireland on the jury for the past twelve years.

Vittorio Dini, Head of Powertrain at Ferrari, collects the International Engine of the Year Award for the 3.9-litre biturbo V8
Vittorio Dini, Head of Powertrain at Ferrari, collects the International Engine of the Year Award for the 3.9-litre biturbo V8

The 3.9-litre bi-turbo V8 took four gongs overall, including the New Engine award, designed to mark the most important engine development in the last 12 months, the 3-litre to 4-litre category and the Performance Engineaward, which Ferrari has now claimed six years in a row. In what proved to be a memorable night for the Italian marque, its 6.3-litre V12, as found in the Ferrari F12 TDF(Tour De France) also clinched the title in the Above 4-litre category.

BMW again took the honours in the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre category, for its 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid, as found in the seminal i8. PSA Peugeot Citroën retained the 1-litre to 1.4-litre category title for its 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo.

Ford again claimed the Sub 1-litre award for the 1.0 EcoBoost, bringing the engine’s total number of award wins to a phenomenal nine in five years. Tesla retained the Green Engine award for a third year with its full-electric powertrain found in the Model S and Model X, while Audi’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo, found in the new RS3 and RS Q3, took the 2-litre to 2.5-litre title for a staggering seventh consecutive year.

Mercedes-AMG took the 1.8-litre to 2-litre award with the 2-litre turbo found in the A45, CLA45 and GLA45 models, in another repeat of last year’s results. And Porsche did not leave empty handed, clinching the 2.5-litre to 3-litre class for its new 3-litre six-cylinder turbo engine, found in the Porsche 911 Carrera.

Dean Slavnich, chairman of the International Engine of the Year Awards and editor-in-chief of a number of automotive titles, said, “It’s been another sublime year for powertrain development, with each category seeing an array of exceptional engines shortlisted. Huge congratulations to all the winners, especially to Ferrari for its phenomenal wins!”

An entire decade has passed since a V – or indeed anything more than six cylinders – has won the outright International Engine of the Year Award. Back then BMW’s all-conquering, naturally aspirated V10 in the M5 swept to victory. And that result turned out to be a peak for the awards, in terms of cylinder count and displacement at least.

Since then one common characteristic has linked all other winners: IC engine downsizing. Following the M5 heart’s victory, BMW’s own six-cylinder turbo won the outright award for a few years and then, in 2008, there was a momentous leap from 3 litres down to 1.4 litres when VW’s sophisticated TSI TwinCharger took the crown. Things got even smaller after that, with Fiat’s 875cc two-cylinder collecting the overall trophy in 2011 and then, for three solid years, it was Ford’s wonderful 1.0 triple that dominated. Last year the 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid powertrain from BMW in the i8 came to the fore, and while that’s 33% larger than Ford’s baby EcoBoost, it’s still a landmark downsized development insomuch that it powers a progressive performance application.

And so on to this year. At first glance it would seem the winning powertrain takes this downsizing trend and rips up the rulebook. After all, here’s a high-performance heart-pounding creation with a V8 design and 3,902cc displacement – and let’s not forget the small matter of 670ps at 8,000rpm and 760Nm torque at 3,000rpm!

In fact the 2016 winner is the third largest outright champ, following BMW’s 5.0 V10 and its 4.4 V8 from 2002; it’s only the second V8 victor (see the aforementioned 4.4 Valvetronic unit); and it’s by far the most powerful title holder, too.

Taking top spot for 2016, then, is Ferrari’s sublimely engineered 3.9 twin-turbo V8 in the all-new 488. By winning the outright award, as well as New Engine, Performance Engine and its category class, which, by the way, was probably the toughest subdivision of all this year, Maranello’s finest becomes one of only three powertrains to take four trophies in one year.

But don’t mistake the Ferrari V8 as some sort of IC dinosaur from yesteryear, somehow lucking out at the 2016 awards among designs that are seen as being planet-friendly. Code-named F154CB, this eight-cylinder is an absolute masterclass in powertrain engineering, and there’s much more to it than just its amazing power delivery, precise control and a wonderful Prancing Horse soundtrack.

While some aficionados were worried when it was confirmed the 458’s successor would swap an atmo heart for a turbo creation, the 488 V8 has proved to be a winner in every way, bringing together highly advanced technologies in one perfect package. Two IHI twin-scroll turbos help deliver the outstanding performance, but to eliminate lag Ferrari has paid special attention to the turbochargers’ compressor wheels, and the sealing between the wheel and the turbine housing, ensuring power delivery is instant and linear.

The V8 also has an ion-sensing system, which measures ionising currents to control ignition timing and adaptively predict misfires, as well as a multispark function that enables the spark advance to be maximised at all revs. It’s technologies such as these that underscore the importance of the V8: these subsystems will trickle down to other FCA products, in turn raising the standard of powertrains around the world. The 488 heart is proof that performance cars – and all passenger cars – need not fear the downsizing trend. In fact, if all engines were this good, the industry’s future would be a forced-induction utopia.

The International Engine of the Year Awards are presented by Engine Technology International magazine, published by UKIP Media & Events Ltd. The Awards involve the voluntary participation of 62 motoring journalists from 31 countries including Padraic Deane of Automotive Publications, who represents Ireland on the prestigious international jury. UKIP Media & Events Ltd receives no advertising or financial support from any car manufacturer or distributor.

International Engine of the Year 2016

CATEGORY WINNERS AND RESULTS


Sub 1-Litre

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Ford 998cc three-cylinder turbo
(Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus, C-Max, Grand C-Max (100ps, 125ps), Fiesta Red/Black (140ps), Mondeo, EcoSport (125ps), Tourneo Connect / Courier (100ps))
348
Volkswagen 999cc three-cylinder turbo
(Audi A1 (95ps), Seat Leon, Volkswagen Golf (115ps), Volkswagen Up (90ps), Polo (95ps, 110ps), Seat Ibiza (85ps))
223
BMW 647cc two-cylinder electric-gasoline range-extender
(BMW i3 (170ps))
164
General Motors 999cc three-cylinder turbo
(Opel Adam, Corsa (90ps, 115ps), Astra (105ps))
122
Fiat Chrysler 875cc two-cylinder turbo
(Fiat 500 (80ps, 85ps, 105ps), Panda (85ps), Alfa Romeo Mito, Fiat 500L, Punto (105ps), Lancia Ypsilon (85ps))
96
Renault / Nissan 898cc three-cylinder turbo
(Renault Clio, Captur, Twingo, Dacia Sandero, Logan MCV, Smart Fortwo, Forfour (90ps))
71

 

1-Litre to 1.4-Litre

Results

ENGINE POINTS
PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo
(Peugeot 208 (110ps), 308, 2008 (110ps, 130ps), 3008, 5008 (130ps), Citroen C3, C3 Picasso, C4 Cactus (110ps), C4, DS3 (110ps, 130ps), C4 Picasso / Grand Picasso, DS4 (130ps))
228
BMW 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo
(Mini One (75ps, 102ps))
174
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TFSI electric-gasoline hybrid
(Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron (204ps), Volkswagen Passat GTE (196ps))
154
Fiat Chrysler 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo
(Fiat 500 (137ps), 500L (120ps, 162ps), 500X (140ps, 162ps, 170ps), 124 Spider (140ps, 162ps), Punto (135ps), Alfa Romeo Mito (140ps, 170ps), Giulietta (170ps), Dodge Dart (162ps), Jeep Renegade (140ps, 162ps, 170ps))
108
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TFSI
(Volkswagen Beetle, Touran / Cross Touran, Sharan (150ps), Golf, Passat (125ps, 150ps), Scirocco (125ps), Jetta, Golf Cabriolet (122ps), Audi A1, A3, (125ps), A4, Q3 (150ps), Seat Ibiza (140ps), Leon (122ps, 150ps), Toledo (122ps), Skoda Rapid, Yeti (125ps), Octavia (140ps), Superb (125ps, 150ps))
102
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TFSI ACT
(Volkswagen Golf, Polo, Audi A3, Seat Leon (150ps))
97

 

1.4-Litre to 1.8-Litre

Results

ENGINE POINTS
BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid
(BMW i8 (362ps))
260
BMW 1.5-litre turbo
(BMW 116i (109ps), 118i (136ps), 218i, 218i Active Tourer, 318i (136ps), X1 18i (150ps), Mini Cooper, Clubman Cooper (136ps), Clubman One (102ps))
152
Audi 1.8-litre TFSI
(Audi A1 (192ps), A3 (180ps), A5 (144ps), A6 (190ps), Seat Ibiza Cupra (180ps), Leon (180ps), Skoda Octavia (180ps), Superb (160ps), Yeti (152ps, 160ps), Volkswagen Jetta, Beetle (170ps), Passat, Polo GTI, Golf, Touran / Cross Touran (180ps))
125
Toyota / Lexus 1.8-litre electric-gasoline hybrid
(Toyota Auris / Corolla, Prius / Plug-in Prius (122ps), Lexus CT 200h (136ps))
103
BMW/PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.6-litre turbo
(BMW 114i (102ps), 320i (170ps), Mini Countryman Cooper S, Paceman Cooper S (190ps), Countryman Cooper Works, Paceman Cooper Works (218ps), Peugeot 208, 308, 508, 3008 (156ps), 5008 (165ps), 208 GTI (208ps), 308 GT (205ps), Citroen DS3 (165ps), DS3 Racing (202ps), DS4 (165ps, 210ps), C4 Picasso / Grand Picasso (165ps), DS5 (165ps, 200ps))
94
Mercedes-Benz 1.6-litre turbo
(Mercedes-Benz A160, B160 (102ps), C160 (129ps), A180, CLA180, B180, GLA180 (122ps), A200, CLA200, B200, GLA200, C180 (156ps), Infinti Q30 (122ps, 156ps))
54

 

1.8-Litre to 2-Litre

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Mercedes-AMG 2-litre turbo
(Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, CLA45 AMG (360ps), GLA45 AMG (381ps))
209
Audi 2-litre four-cylinder TFSI
(Audi S1 (231ps), TT (230ps), TT S (310ps), S3 (300ps), A4 (190ps, 252ps), A5 (225ps), A6, A7 (252ps), Q3 (180ps, 220ps), Q5 (180ps, 225ps), Seat Leon Cupra (265ps, 290ps), Alhambra (200ps), Skoda Octavia RS (220ps), Superb (200ps, 280ps), Volkswagen Golf GTi (220ps, 230ps), GTi Clubsport, Cabriotlet R (265ps), Golf R (300ps), Jetta (200ps), Passat (220ps), CC (210ps), Beetle (170ps, 211ps), Scirocco (180ps, 220ps), Scirocco R (280ps), Sharan (200ps), Tiguan (180ps))
188
Volvo 2-litre turbocharger supercharger electric-gasoline hybrid
(Volvo XC90, S90 (407ps))
174
Porsche 2-litre turbo
(Porsche 718 Boxster (300ps))
123
Volvo 2-litre turbocharger supercharger four-cylinder
(Volvo S60, S90, V60, XC60 (306ps), XC90 (320ps))
109
BMW 2-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel
(BMW X1 16d, 316d (116ps), 118d, 218d, 318d, 518d, X1 18d (150ps), 318d Gran Turismo (143ps), 120d, 220d, 520d (190ps), 520d Gran Turismo (184ps), X1 20d (163ps, 184ps), 125d, 425d, 525d (218ps), 225d (224ps), 320d (163ps, 184ps, 190ps), X3 18d (150ps), X3 20d, X4 20d (190ps), X5 25d (218ps), Mini Cooper SD (170ps), Clubman Cooper SD (190ps), Countryman Cooper SD, Paceman Cooper SD (143ps), Clubman Cooper D (150ps), Countryman Cooper D, Paceman Cooper D (112ps))
91

 

2-Litre to 2.5-Litre

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Audi 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo
(Audi RS3 (367ps), RSQ3 (340ps))
307
Porsche 2.5-litre turbo
(Porsche 718 Boxster S (350ps))
204
Ford 2.3-litre turbo
(Ford Focus RS (350ps))
164
Mazda 2.2-litre diesel
(Mazda 3 / Axela (150ps), 6 / Atenza, CX-5 (150ps, 175ps))
100
Mercedes-Benz 2.1-litre electric-diesel hybrid
(Mercedes-Benz C300 Hybrid, E300 Hybrid (231ps), S300 Hybrid (204ps))
97
Ford 2.3-litre turbo
(Ford Mustang (309ps), Lincoln MKC (289ps))
88

 

2.5-Litre to 3-Litre

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Porsche 3-litre six-cylinder turbo
(Porsche 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera 4, (370ps), 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera 4S (400ps))
252
BMW M 3-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder
(BMW M M3, M4 (431ps), M4 GTS (500ps) M2 (370ps))
203
BMW 3-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder
(BMW M135i, 235i (326ps), 340i, 440i (326ps), 640i, 740i (320ps), 335i Grand Turismo, Z4 35i, 535i, X3 35i, X4 35i, X5 35i, X6 35i (306ps), Z4 35is (340ps), X4 M40i (360ps))
178
BMW M Performance 3-litre tri-turbo diesel six-cylinder
(BMW M550d, X5 M50d, X6 M50d (381ps))
137
Jaguar Land Rover 3-litre V6 supercharged
(Jaguar F-Type, F-Pace (340ps, 380ps), XE, XF, XJ, Land Rover Discovery4, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport (340ps))
104
Volkswagen 3-litre six-cylinder TDI
(Audi A4 (218ps, 272ps), A6, A7 (218ps, 272ps, 320ps, 326ps), A8, Q5 (258ps), SQ5 (313ps, 340ps), Q7 (218ps, 272ps, 258ps), Volkswagen Touareg (204, 262), Porsche Panamera (300ps), Macan S Diesel (258ps), Cayenne (262ps))
86

 

3-Litre to 4-Litre

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8
(Ferrari 488 GTB (669ps))
395
Mercedes-AMG 4-litre biturbo V8
(Mercedes-AMG GT (462ps), GT S (510ps), Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (476ps), C63 S AMG (510ps), Mercedes-Benz G500 (421ps) )
206
Porsche 4-litre boxer
(Porsche 911 GT3 RS (500ps))
141
Porsche 3.8-litre boxer
(Porsche 911 Carrera GTS (430ps), 911 GT3 (475ps))
125
McLaren 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
(McLaren 675LT (675ps))
122
Porsche 3.8-litre boxer turbo
(Porsche 911 Turbo (520ps), 911 Turbo S (580ps) )
115

 

Above 4-Litre

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Ferrari 6.3-litre V12
(Ferrari F12 tdf (780ps))
227
Audi 5.2-litre V10
(Audi R8 (540ps, 610ps), Lamborghini Huracan (580ps, 610ps))
161
Mercedes-AMG 5.5-litre V8 turbo
(Mercedes-AMG E63 AMG, CLS63 AMG, GLE63 AMG (557ps), E63 S AMG, CLS63 S AMG, GLE63 S AMG, GLS500, S63 AMG, SL63 AMG (585ps), G63 AMG (571ps))
124
BMW M 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
(BMW M5, M6 (560ps), X5M, X6M (575ps))
110
Lamborghini 6.5-litre V12
(Lamborghini Aventador, Veneno (700ps))
85
General Motors 6.2-litre V8 supercharged
(Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z06 (660ps), Camaro ZL1 (587ps), Cadillac CTS-V (648ps), Vauxhall VXR8 (585ps))
82

 

Green Engine

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Tesla full-electric powertrain
(Tesla Model S (320ps, 332ps 422ps, 469ps 700ps), Model X (332ps, 525ps, 773ps))
256
BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid
(BMW i8 (362ps))
176
Volvo 2-litre turbocharger supercharger electric-gasoline hybrid
(Volvo XC90, S90 (407ps))
97
BMW full-electric powertrain
(BMW i3 (170ps))
87
Ford 998cc three-cylinder turbo
(Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus, C-Max, Grand C-Max, (100ps, 125ps), Fiesta Red/Black (140ps), Mondeo, EcoSport (125ps), Tourneo Connect / Courier (100ps))
69
Porsche 3-litre electric-gasoline plug-in hybrid
(Porsche Panamera PHEV, Cayenne PHEV (416ps))
61

 

New Engine

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8
(Ferrari 488 GTB (669ps))
340
Volvo 2-litre turbocharger supercharger electric-gasoline hybrid
(Volvo XC90, S90 (407ps))
204
Porsche 3-litre six-cylinder turbo
(Porsche 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera 4, (370ps), 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera 4S (400ps))
174
Honda 2-litre turbo
(Honda Civic Type R (310ps))
110
Ford 2.3-litre turbo
(Ford Focus RS (350ps))
104
Porsche 4-litre boxer
(Porsche 911 GT3 RS (500ps))
99

 

Performance Engine

Results

ENGINE POINTS
Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8
(Ferrari 488 GTB (669ps))
311
Ferrari 6.3-litre V12
(Ferrari F12 tdf (780ps))
94
Porsche 4-litre boxer
(Porsche 911 GT3 RS (500ps))
77
Mercedes-AMG 4-litre biturbo V8
(Mercedes-AMG GT (462ps), GT S (510ps), Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (476ps), C63 S AMG (510ps), Mercedes-Benz G500 (421ps) )
73
BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid
(BMW i8 (362ps))
72
Porsche 3-litre six-cylinder turbo
(Porsche 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera 4, (370ps), 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera 4S (400ps))
58