BMW Group Press Release: (MINI content at the bottom in bold) For an unprecedented third year in succession, BMW has been named the outright winner of the acclaimed International Engine of the Year, this time for its 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine fitted to BMW 335i models. Following successes in 2005 and 2006, with the 5.0-litre V10 engine powering the M5 and M6 models, this year it was the turn of the six-cylinder. The engine was originally launched in the BMW 335i Coupé and is now available in Saloon, Touring and Convertible models.
BMW UK’s managing director, Jim O’Donnell, said: “BMW is immensely proud to receive this significant award for a third successive year, and the timing of the award couldn’t be better. The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine perfectly encapsulates BMW’s new EfficientDynamics programme, delivering power, performance and impressive consumption and emissions figures.
“With its two turbochargers, the six-cylinder engine delivers the power and torque normally associated with a larger V8, but with the economy and emissions expected of a 2.5-litre car. As a result, owners can benefit from the dynamic driving experience expected of any BMW, yet potentially save hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds in fuel costs throughout their ownership.”
BMW took more category honours than any other manufacturer winning a total of seven awards for four engines. As well as winning the overall title, the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged unit took ‘Best new engine of the year 2007′ as well as ‘Best engine 2.5-3.0-litre 2007′. The winner of the top honour for the last two years (the V10 5.0-litre) was, this year, awarded two honours – ‘Best performance engine 2007′ and ‘Best engine – 4.0-litres and over 2007′.
In the smaller engine categories, BMW’s 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine used in the BMW X3 2.5si and Z4 2.5si Roadster models won ‘Best engine 2.0-2.5-litre 2007′ while, for the first time, an engine powering a MINI was successful.
In the 1.4-1.8-litre category, the trophy was awarded jointly to BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen for the 1.6-litre turbo engine in the new MINI Cooper S and Peugeot 207. The innovative twin-scroll turbo technology with direct fuel injection has a power output of 175hp, while achieving nearly 41mpg combined fuel consumption. All MINI petrol engines are assembled at BMW Group’s Hams Hall plant in the Midlands, before being delivered just-in-sequence to the MINI plant at Oxford.
MF Analysis: An incredible achievement considering some of the new powerplants released this year. This is also the second time MINI’s powerplant has won the award, the first time coming with the introduction of the supercharged version of the Tritec. But undoubtedly this win is more sweet. Where the Tritec was engineered in Detroit and featured little BMW Group technology, the new powerplant was designed and engineered in Munich by BMW. While PSA has partnered with BMW to create better economies of scale, one could easily consider this win 100% BMW.
“The innovative twin-scroll turbo technology with direct fuel injection has a power output of 175hp, while achieving nearly 41mpg combined fuel consumption.”
what? my R56 MCS gets great milage but not that great. anyway, i love this engine!! honestly its the best engine i have ever driven hands down, almost perfect. cars i have owned have been audi TT, 2004 MCS, 2005 MC, nissan 350Z, nissan altima, saturn, scion xB.
reason i say this engine is almost perfect is because we have yet to see how reliable it will be.
Keep in mind these are imperial gallons referred to, as this is a report from Britain. I suspect that their testing is as flawed as the EPA tests are, and real world numbers will be less. I have been seeing about 34 mpg (Imperial) in mostly around town driving, but that’s still a big improvement on my ’05, which averaged 28 mpg over the past year that I had it.
It’s the best I’ve driven as well. I average 35-36 US mpg on my commute drives (using the on-board computer) which is 21 miles each way and 75% freeway. That’s right up there with what the EPA’s new testing shows. Considering the car just crossed 1000 miles, I’m very impressed.
Yes, i knew the new R56 would win this award. I mean, just look at the specs. When i was researching the R56 before buying it I was also looking at which had the best engine, at that time it was the GTI’s 2.0 FSI. but i gave that up for the prediction that the R56 gets amazing gas mileage with 177 hp and a turbo, so it had to be a good engine. and yes I drive 300+ miles a week and get a combined 37 MPG.
Kind of ironic to hear people singing the praises of the new engine considering the furor several years ago when it was first announced that BMW would partner with Peugeot for production of this engine. I will admit to a few doubts myself at the time. Bad flashbacks to 1970’s vintage Peugeots at the sides of the road. I do hope this turns out to be a wonderful and flexible engine for future upgrades.
I take it the 41mpg is for larger Imperial Gallon as opposed to the US gallon.
The 2.0 turbo engine, available in the VW GTI as well as other various VW and Audi product, also won engine of the year in the 1.8-2.0 liter class! Just wanted to let you know. And the MPGs on that engine are very good considering how much power and torque it puts out, and how heavy the vehicles are they are in. Aprrox. 32MPG.