If someone asked you to name the finest engine in the world, which one would you choose? We can already see a few fingers pointing to exotic powerplants of the Ferrari 458 and Tesla Model S kind, and while these units did make it in the final list, they were runner-ups in the 2014 International Engine of the Year.
According to a panel of automobile journalists from around the world, the best engine in the world is…drum beat please…for an “unprecedented third straight year” ….Ford’s 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol mill found in a boatload of models, including the Fiesta, Focus and Tourneo Connect.
Speaking about the results, Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the 16th International Engine of the Year awards and editor of Engine Technology International magazine, said:
“This year’s competition was the fiercest yet, but the 1.0-litre EcoBoost continues to stand out for all the right reasons – great refinement, surprising flexibility and excellent efficiency. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is one of the finest examples of powertrain engineering.”
Obviously, Ford took first place in the sub 1.0-liter segment as well, while Tesla won the Green Engine award with the Model S’ electric powertrain beating the BMW i3; Mercedes nabbed the Best New Engine title for the A45 / CLA45 AMG’s 2.0-liter turbo and Ferrari took the Best Performance Engine and Above 4.0-liter awards for the fourth consecutive year.
Just a note about Ferrari, journalists gave the 458’s V8 the same two awards in 2012, before changing their minds in 2013 and handing the titles over to the F12berlinetta. For 2014, thanks to the addition of the Speciale’s improved V8, they decided that the 458 deserved it more than the F12b.
Full results follow below.
By John Halas
PHOTO GALLERY
