Small, three-cylinder engines beat out powerful V6s and V8s in the 2015 International Engine of the Year Awards, with BMW capturing the highest honour.
Taking the top award was BMW’s 1.5-litre, three cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid used in the i8. The hybrid system delivers a combined output of 362 horsepower, but more spectacularly, produces 420 lb.-ft. of torque while achieving fuel economy as low as 2.8 L/100 km when driven modestly. BMW claims the $150,000 i8 will sprint to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.
Don’t miss our review of the head-turning BMW i8
Second place also went to a three-cylinder — Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost, which also took a first place win in the small engine class. The lightweight engine found in the Fiesta and Focus uses a low-inertia turbo to create 123 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque — slightly more than Ford’s naturally-aspirated four-cylinder.
In the awards, presented by Engine Technology International Magazine, Peugeot and Citroen took third with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo, and Ferrari took fourth with the 4.5L V8 used in the 458 Speciale.
For full details, see the results here.
