Sections: Awards Jun 17th, 2009 14 Comments Official Release: Scoring outstanding wins in the three categories of the International Engine of the Year Award, the BMW Group once again highlights its top position this year as a manufacturer of particularly powerful and, at the same time, efficient engines. In the world’s most significant engine contest, the V8 power unit featured in the BMW M3, the straight-six with Twin Turbo Technology to be admired, among other models, in the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 1 Series and the BMW X6, as well as the four-cylinder twin-scroll turbocharged engine in the MINI Cooper S, have all scored triumphant victories in their respective classes.
The Awards were presented on 17 June 2009 at the Engine Expo in Stuttgart.
This triple victory continues the BMW Group’s story of success in the International Engine of the Year Award. In this contest held since 1999 BMW engines have brought home overall victory no less than six times, including the four last years in a row. This year’s three winners once again thrilled the jury through their fascinating development of power as well as their up-to-date efficiency. This combination of such superior virtues is the result of the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy characterising both the eight cylinder from BMW M GmbH, the straight-six from BMW, and the MINI four-cylinder.
In the engine category between 3.0 and 4.0 litres the V8 power unit featured in the BMW M3 successfully defended the title it had already won last year. Indeed, this 309 kW/420 hp 4.0-litre makes a substantial contribution to the success of BMW’s high-performance sports car in the market, now available in the guise of the BMW M3 Coupé, the BMW M3 Saloon, and the BMW M3 Convertible.
The 3.0-litre 225 kW/306 hp six-cylinder with Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection, in turn, this year dominates the engine category between 2.5 and 3.0 litres for the third time in a row.
Continuity has also been the name of the game in the engine category between 1.4 and 1.8 litres ever since the year 2007, with the 1.6-litre four-cylinder power unit in the MINI Cooper S with its twin-scroll turbocharger, direct gasoline injection and maximum output of 128 kW/175 hp still setting the standard.
The decisions on the International Engine of the Year Award are taken by an international jury made up of renowned motoring journalists. This year the team of no less than 65 experts came from 32 countries, awarding prizes in eight engine classes based on size and in three special categories, as well as the special award for the overall winner.
In the eleven contests held so far since 1999, the BMW Group has already brought home more than 40 trophies. This ongoing success in the world’s most significant engine contest is impressive proof of the BMW Group’s unique competence the world over in the area of powertrain development.
Dusty Jun 17th, 2009 Link
I can see why. I’ve had both 2007 & 2008 Cooper S’s and both have been very consistent with my daily commuting at 32-33MPG in my city/freeway driving. My highway trip experiences have averaged better than 40MPG every time. The best I’ve gotten is 41.7. The car is extremely quick and a miser on gas. I LOVE IT!
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M_POWER Jun 17th, 2009 Link
So I guess weird noises the engine makes (cold start issue) are no taken into account by these judges?
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Dr Obnxs Jun 17th, 2009 Link
No, they are not. These are awards based on impression from those that know cars, but don’t usually own the engines under consideration. So the cold start issue of the turbo Prince, the cooling issues of the 3 liter twin turbo, and anything else like that don’t really factor into the decisions. That said, these guys know cars and the awards do matter. But long term issues, like reliability and serviceability don’t really come into the awards.
After having driven both the Audi V8 and the BMW, I’d have given the nod to the Audi. Flame away!
Matt
ReplyAfter having driven both the Audi V8 and the BMW, I’d have given the nod to the Audi. Flame away!
After having driven both myself I’d have to say…. are you serious? The RS4 V8?
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Gary Jun 17th, 2009 Link
Death rattle, freezing throttle body, and carbon build-up aside, it certainly deserves an “A” for aesthetics
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Dr Obnxs Jun 17th, 2009 Link
The audi V8 is also in the R8, and the S5. I like it’s better torque down low. The RS4 Cabrio was very unsatisfying. Tons of cowl shake. I didn’t drive the RS4 hardtop.
But yes, I like the Audi mill better. But then again, maybe this is like the 3 liter TT diesel, where the impression of the engine really depends on the chassis it’s in.
To each thier own….
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lavardera Jun 17th, 2009 Link
did the prince win for the BMW version, or both the BMW and Peugeot version?
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Veggivet Jun 18th, 2009 Link
I rode shotgun in an instructor’s bone stock Clubman S this week at Lime Rock and was blown away by the power this car had. Absolutely no lag. It felt faster than my modded R53 which is around 230 hp. Other issues aside, one has to admire coupling this type of power along with stellar gas mileage.
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lavardera Jun 18th, 2009 Link
that’s the kind of comment that in the past would bring out the legions of supporters for the AVAA (that’s the American Visceral Association of America).
Could it be that we are finally over it?
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Rick Jun 18th, 2009 Link
Gee – no mention of the VW 1.4 TSI that won the overall engine of the year ending 4 yrs of BMW domination?
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Veggivet Jun 18th, 2009 Link
@ Lava- I hope we’re over that. I didn’t intend to stir up any debate between first and second generation owners; just reporting my observations from my last track day. Hope it is taken in that context, and in that context alone.
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c4 Jun 20th, 2009 Link
@Veggivet:
I agree to an extent. As an owner of a turbo Clubman S (Bone stock) I can also tell you that the car begins to quickly lose steam after 5,500 RPM…. The beauty of the Prince is the availability of 90% of engine torque at 1,700 RPM and the superb fuel economy. Having all that torque way down in the power band gives the car that sensation of being “faster” off the bat.
But the “lowly” old school Supercharged Tritec is pretty much cooking and eager to go a lot higher in the RPM band, where the Prince simply starts to fall flat. The Tritec pulls like a freight train all the way to redline and power just keeps building and building up.
The Prince is better suited for everyday US City driving. But the Tritec is a screamer past 5K RPM when pitted against the Prince.
Proud card carrying member of AVAA and not ARHOA :)
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c4 Jun 20th, 2009 Link
I must add that I haven’t had a lick of a problem with the Prince engine.
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c4 Jun 20th, 2009 Link
And remember that the Supercharged Tritec was also picked as one of the 10 best engines for year 2003.
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