Fiat wins, but BMW sweeps engine awards

Fiat's tiny turbocharged two-cylinder won four awards in the International Engine of the Year contest.

(Credit: Fiat)

At the 2011 International Engine awards, Fiat's little 875cc TwinAir engine won three categories and took home the overall 2011 International Engine of the Year award. BMW took four categories with four different engines, while Audi, Ferrari, and Volkswagen each made good showings.

Fiat's engine ekes 85 horsepower from two cylinders using a turbocharger, and only produces 95 grams per kilometer of CO2. Fiat uses the engine in its 500 model, but U.S. versions of that car are likely to get the 1.4-liter Multiair engine.

Here are the various categories, with their respective winners:

• 2011 International Engine of the Year: Fiat 875cc TwinAir
• Best New Engine of the Year: Fiat 875cc TwinAir (Fiat 500)
• Green Engine of the Year: Fiat 875cc TwinAir
• Best Performance Engine: Ferrari 4.5-liter V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia)
• Sub 1-liter: Fiat 875cc TwinAir
• 1-liter to 1.4-liter: Volkswagen 1.4-liter TSI Twincharger (VW Golf, Jetta, Tiguan)
• 1.4-liter to 1.8-liter: BMW 1.6-liter turbo (Mini Cooper S)
• 1.8-liter to 2-liter: BMW 2-liter twin-turbo diesel (BMW 123d)
• 2-liter to 2.5-liter: Audi 2.5-liter turbo (Audi TT RS)
• 2.5-liter to 3-liter: BMW 3-liter DI Twin-Turbo (BMW 135i, 335i, 535i, 740i)
• 3-liter to 4-liter: BMW 4-liter V8  (BMW M3)
• Above 4-liter: Ferrari 4.5-liter V8

The International Engine awards are run by UKIP Media. For 2011, judging was done by 76 automotive journalists from 36 countries.