Ward’s Best Engine nominees are out and MINI is in the hunt with two engines this year – the JCW 2.0 4 cylinder and the 1.5L 3 Cylinder. Previous year’s winners are automatically nominated so they can defend their crowns (unless the car that they come in is more than $61k, the base price limit to be considered) thus we see the 1.5L defending its crown. All new and significantly redesigned engines are automatically entered as well (this how the engine for the JCW entered the fray).
The B38A15A 1.5L 3 cylinder is really a wonderful little mill. It’s compact and efficient and because it’s part of the BMW-group modular engine family, development costs are spread over many more vehicle sales. This means better tech at a lower price point, and it’s power and torque both benefit from this investment.
The new JCW motor, code B48A20O0, offers MINI owners what used to be tuner levels of power and torque with a more seamless power delivery plus a full factory warranty. And then there’s that sound.
Winners will be announced later this year.
<p>How much of the Ward’s selection criteria is influenced by raw performance/efficiency numbers vs. marketing vs. product line scalability considerations?</p>
<p>For example, I love the 1.5L B38 turbo 3 cylinder in my F56, but I’m coveting the 174HP/162lb-ft torque of the new 1.5 L turbo 4 cylinder in the 2016 Honda Civic Touring. Why would the B38 1.5L be selected over the new Honda’s 1.5L engine?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2016-honda-civic-sedan-15l-turbo-test-review" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2016-honda-civic-sedan-15l-turbo-test-review</a></p>
<p>Okay, i’d disqualify the Civic because of the CVT…but c’mon BMW, let’s get more power for the Cooper!</p>