June 17 2009

BMW Wins Triple Accolades for Engine Design

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 from the BMW 5 Series, 3 Series, 1 Series and the 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 characterizing 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 liters, the V8 featured in the BMW M3 successfully defended the title it had already won last year. Indeed, this 416 hp 4.0-liter 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 Coupe, Sedan and Convertible Convertible.

The 3.0-liter 300 hp six-cylinder with Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection this year dominates the engine category between 2.5 and 3.0 liters 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 liters ever since the year 2007, with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder power unit in the MINI Cooper S with its twin-scroll turbocharger, direct gasoline injection and maximum output of 172 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.