The best motors in the past 20 years
Blog,  Photo

The best motors in the past 20 years

In 1999, Technology International magazine (UK) announced the establishment of a world award for the best engine produced worldwide. The analysis was carried out on the basis of reviews provided by more than 60 well-known auto journalists from different parts of the world. This is how the International Engine of the Year award was born.

The best motors in the past 20 years

The 20th anniversary of the foundation of the competition is an excellent occasion to sum up the most spectacular motors for the entire existence of the award (1999-2019). In the gallery below, you can see which modifications made it to the top 10.

It should be remembered that these awards are usually given to new engines based on the impressions of journalists, and not on the experience of motorists. For this reason, the list contains not all units that are distinguished by their reliability and durability.

10.Fiat TwinAir

The tenth place in the ranking is actually divided among three units. One of these is the Fiat 0,875-liter TwinAir, which won four awards at the 2011 ceremony, including Best Engine. Jury Chairman Dean Slavnic called it “one of the best engines in history”.

The best motors in the past 20 years

The Fiat unit is characterized by a variable valve timing system using hydraulic drives. Its basic naturally aspirated version is found in the Fiat Panda and 500, giving them 60 horsepower.

The best motors in the past 20 years

There are also two turbocharged variants with 80 and 105 horsepower. They are used in models such as the Fiat 500L, Alfa Romeo MiTo and Lancia Ypsilon. This engine also received the prestigious German Raoul Pitsch Award.

The best motors in the past 20 years

10. BMW N62 4.4 Valvetronic

This naturally aspirated V8 was the first production engine with a variable intake manifold and the first BMW 2002 with Valvetronic. In XNUMX, it received three annual IEY awards, including "Grand Engine of the Year".

The best motors in the past 20 years

Its various variants have been installed in the more powerful 5-Series, 7-Series, X5, the entire Alpina line, as well as sports manufacturers such as Morgan and Wiesmann. The power of the units ranges from 272 to 530 horsepower.

The best motors in the past 20 years
Wiesmann MF
The best motors in the past 20 years
morgan aero gt

Its advanced technology has brought it international acclaim, but due to its highly sophisticated design, it is not one of the most reliable motors around. We recommend that buyers of used vehicles be careful with this unit.

10. Honda HAS 1.0

The abbreviation for Integrated Motor Assist is the first mass-produced hybrid technology of the Japanese company, originally proposed by the popular foreign model Insight. It's essentially a parallel hybrid, but with a completely different concept compared to, say, a Toyota Prius.

The best motors in the past 20 years

In the IMA, an electric motor is installed between the combustion engine and the transmission to function as a starter, balancing device and auxiliary unit as required.

The best motors in the past 20 years

For many years, this system has been used with engines up to 1,3 liters. It was installed in a variety of Honda models - from the unpopular Insight, Freed Hybrid, CR-Z and Acura ILX Hybrid in Europe to hybrid versions of the Jazz, Civic and Accord.

The best motors in the past 20 years
Free hybrid
The best motors in the past 20 years
Jazz

9. Toyota KR 1.0

In fact, this family of three-cylinder units with aluminum blocks was not developed by Toyota, but by its subsidiary Daihatsu.

The best motors in the past 20 years

Debuting in 2004, these engines used DOHC chain-driven cylinder heads, multi-point injection and 4 valves per cylinder. One of their strengths was their unusually low weight - only 69 kilograms.

The best motors in the past 20 years
Toyota Aygo

Over the years, various variants of these engines have been created with a capacity of 65 to 98 horsepower. They are installed in the first and second generations of Toyota Aygo / Citroen C1 / Peugeot 107, Toyota Yaris and iQ, in Daihatsu Cuore and Sirion, as well as in Subaru Justy.

The best motors in the past 20 years
Daihatsu Heart

8. Mazda 13B-MSP Renesis

The Japanese company's persistence in imposing Wankel engines, which it licensed from NSU at the time, was rewarded with this masterpiece, codenamed 13B-MSP. In it, long-term attempts to correct the two main weaknesses of this type of engine - high consumption and excessive emissions - seemed to bear fruit.

The best motors in the past 20 years

The original change in the exhaust manifold significantly increased the actual compression and with it the power. Overall, efficiency has been increased by 49% compared to previous generations.

The best motors in the past 20 years

Mazda put this engine in their RX-8 and won three awards with it in 2003, including the most prestigious one for Engine of the Year. The big trump card was its low weight (112 kg in the basic version) and high performance - up to 235 horsepower in just 1,3 liters. However, it remains too difficult to maintain and with easily worn parts.

7.BMW N54 3.0

If there are some endurance remarks about BMW's 4,4-liter V8, it's hard to hear a bad word about the N54 inline-six.

The best motors in the past 20 years

This three-liter unit debuted in 2006 in more powerful versions of the third series (E90) and won the International Engine of the Year award for five consecutive years. A similar achievement has been achieved on the American counterpart Ward's Auto for three consecutive years.

The best motors in the past 20 years

With direct injection and dual variable camshaft control (VANOS), this is the first production turbocharged BMW engine. For ten years, it has been integrated into everything: E90, E60, E82, E71, E89, E92, F01, as well as, with minor changes, in the Alpina lineup.

The best motors in the past 20 years

6. BMW B38 1.5

BMW is the most awarded brand in the first two decades (International Engine of the Year), and this rather unexpected entrant has made serious competition: a three-cylinder turbo engine with a volume of 1,5 liters, a compression ratio of 11: 1, direct injection, double VANOS and the world's first aluminum turbocharger produced Continental.

The best motors in the past 20 years

It is also designed for front-wheel drive vehicles such as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and MINI Hatch, as well as rear-wheel drive models.

The best motors in the past 20 years

But its biggest claim to fame comes from its first use: in the i8 sports hybrid, where, in a package with electric motors, it provided the same acceleration that the Lamborghini Gallardo once had.

The best motors in the past 20 years

5. Toyota 1NZ-FXE 1.5

This is a special version of the NZ series internal combustion engine with an aluminum block. It was developed specifically for hybrid cars, primarily for the popular Prius. The engine has a fairly high physical compression ratio of 13,0: 1, but closure of the intake valve is delayed, resulting in actual compression to 9,5: 1 and causing it to operate in a sort of simulated Atkinson cycle. This reduces power and torque, but increases efficiency.

The best motors in the past 20 years

It is this variant with 77 hp. (5000 rpm), stood under the hood of the Prius MK1 and MK2 (the third generation is already equipped with 2ZR-FXE), the Yaris hybrid and several other models with a similar internal combustion engine.

The best motors in the past 20 years

4. VW 1.4 TFSI, Twincharger TSI

The basis of this unit was taken EA111. For the first time, a turbocharged modification of the internal combustion engine was heard at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was used as the main unit for the Golf-5. Initially, the in-line four (1,4 liters) developed 150 hp. and was equipped with a Twincharger system - a compressor kit with a turbocharger. The reduced displacement provided significant fuel savings while power was 14% higher than the 2.0 FSI.

The best motors in the past 20 years

Manufactured in Chemnitz, this device has been used in various versions in almost all German-made brands. Later, a version with a reduced power appeared, without a compressor, but only with a turbocharger and an intercooler. It was also 14 kg lighter.

The best motors in the past 20 years

3. BMW S54 3.2

The Bavarian 3,2-liter power unit rightfully earned the third place among the most spectacular internal combustion engines of the last 20 years. This engine is the latest modification of the already efficient S50 (6-cylinder TSI aspirated). The latter unit was developed specifically for one of the most popular sports sedans M3 (E46).

The best motors in the past 20 years

At the factory settings, this unit had the following characteristics: 343 hp. at 7 rpm, maximum torque 900 Newtons and easily develops 365 rpm.

The best motors in the past 20 years

2. Ford 1.0 EcoBoost

After a few serious and noisy tweaks, thousands of reports of overheating and some self-ignition, these 3-cylinder engines have a slightly tarnished reputation.

The best motors in the past 20 years

However, the EcoBoost technology itself was not the cause of these problems (this is a great engineering development). Most of the problems arose due to defects in the cooling system and other peripheral systems.

The best motors in the past 20 years

Developed by Ford Europe in Danton, UK, this ICE was introduced in 2012. From the first moment, he delighted all auto journalists and car enthusiasts. On one liter of volume, the unit produced an incredible 125 hp. A little later, a more powerful version appeared, which the Fiesta Red Edition received (the subcompact internal combustion engine developed 140 forces). You will also find it in the Focus and C-Max. Between 2012 and 2014, he was a three-time winner of the annual award.

1. Ferrari F154 3.9

Absolute “champion” for the last four years. The Italian automaker released it as a replacement for the F120A (2,9 L). The novelty received a double turbine, a direct injection system, variable gas distribution, and the camber is 90о.

The best motors in the past 20 years

It is used in various variants in the Ferrari California T, GTC4 Lusso, Portofino, Roma, 488 Pista, F8 Spider and even the high-tech Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

The best motors in the past 20 years
Ferrari F8 Spider
The best motors in the past 20 years
Ferrari 488 Track

You will also find it in the top-spec versions of the Maserati Quattroporte and Levante. It is directly related to the fantastic V6 used by the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

The best motors in the past 20 years
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Add a comment