Results

(Engine) (points)
1. Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo (Ford Focus)
401
2. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (VW Polo, Beetle, Golf, Golf Plus, Golf Cabriolet, Scirocco, Eos, Jetta, Tiguan, Sharan, Touran/Cross Touran, Passat CNG, Touran/Cross Touran CNG, Audi A1, Audi A3, Seat Ibiza FR, Alhambra, Cupra, Škoda Fabia RS) 288
3. Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider) 224
4. GM 1.4-litre range extender (Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera) 212
5. BMW 2-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder petrol (BMW 125i, 320i, 328i, 520i, 528i, Z4 20i, Z4 sDrive 28i, X1 20i, X3 20i, X1 28i) 199
6. BMW/PSA 1.6-litre turbo petrol (Mini Cooper S, Clubman Cooper S, Countryman Cooper S, Coupe/Roadster Cooper S, Mini Cooper Works, Clubman Cooper Works, Coupe/Roadster Cooper Works, Peugeot 207, 207cc, 208, 308, 308cc, 3008, 508, 5008, 308 GTI, RCZ, Citroën DS3, C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso, C5, DS5, DS5, DS3 Racing, DS4, DS4 Racing) 162
7. BMW 3–litre turo six –cylinder gasoline (BMW 1 Series, M Coupé, 335is, Z4 35is) 160
8. BMW M 4–litre V8 (BMW M3 Coup&, M3 Convertible) 128
9. Audi 2.5–litre five–cylinder turbo (Audi TT RS, RS3 Sportback) 126

International Engine of the Year

Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo

What a year it has been for Ford and its outstanding three-cylinder turbo engine. The Blue Oval finally broke its International Engine of the Year Awards jinx by collecting best New Engine and the Sub 1-litre Engine awards, but now the diminutive 999cc unit has gone one better and made it a treble by taking top spot in the race to be crowned the overall International Engine of the Year 2012.

Ford’s victory means that for the second consecutive year, a new name has been added to the International Engine of the Year Awards hall of fame, with Ford joining last year’s first-time winner Fiat, and previous victors Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota, Mazda and Honda.

Ford’s stunning success also means that since 2009, the overall winner has had a displacement of less than 1.4 litres - and in the past two years alone, the engine size of the winning International Engine of the Year Award has been below 1 litre - proof that downsizing is here to stay.

But Ford’s task in taking top spot was not easy. To qualify, it first had to beat last year’s champion - Fiat’s two-cylinder TwinAir - in the Sub 1-litre category.

And then, to take the overall title, it faced competition from GM’s range-extender powertrain and last year’s runner-up, Volkswagen’s ever-successful 1.4-litre TSI engine.

In the end, a crushing points victory among the European judges laid the foundation for its triumph in the overall International Engine of the Year Awards voting. Then, a solid endorsement from judges all around the world enabled the Ford to ease to first place, achieving a record tally of 401 points.

“This is a fitting victory for a truly remarkable engine,” said Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the International Engine of the Year Awards and editor of Engine Technology International magazine. “For a three-cylinder to power a vehicle like the Ford Focus with such ease proves that the future is very, very bright for the IC engine. Power, response and very good real-world fuel consumption figures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this engine and what it offers drivers today. Well done Ford!”




TECH SPEC.

Ford:
Displacement: 999cc
Number of cylinders: Three
Bore x stroke: 71.9mm x 82mm
Power Output: 123bhp
Compression ratio: 10:1

Twincharger

Ford's 999cc motor has won the overall award

Twincharger

The blue oval has secured three engine gongs

Twincharger

the overall winner is again a downsized design

Twincharger

Ford's engine has a great fuel economy and power

"This is a fitting victory for a truly remarkable engine. For a three-cylinder to power a vehicle

like the Ford Focus with such ease proves that the future is very, very bright for the IC engine"

Dean Slavnich, Engine Technology International


Tech Spec.

  • Displacement: 1,391
  • Bore x stroke: 98mm x 90.5mm
  • Compression ratio: 10.0:1
  • Engine weight (dry): 204kg
  • Power/weight ratio: 0.41kg/bhp and 0.39kg/bhp