Ford wins engine of the year

Compact efficiency has triumphed over high-revving horsepower yet again in the 2014 International Engine of the Year Awards in Stuttgart, Germany, with Ford's tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol-turbo engine winning the award for an unprecedented third year in a row.

Every year since 1999 the International Engine of the Year Awards have been voted on by a selection of independent journalists, 82 of them from 34 countries, awarding points based on a number of different criteria, including performance, driveability, smoothness and fuel economy.

In 2014, the diminutive 999cc Ford three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that powers cars such as the Ford Fiesta light car and EcoSport small SUV dominated by a huge margin. Its 351 points was streets ahead of the second-placed Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 that powers the Ferrari 458 Italia, which scored 281 points. Volkswagen's 1.4-litre TSI twincharged engine came third with 254 points. 

The top five are as follows:

Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo – 351 points
Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 – 281 points
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger – 254 points
Mercedes-AMG 2.0-litre turbo – 252 points
Tesla Full-electric powertrain – 225 points

Claiming no less than 13 awards in its three-year life, the Ford EcoBoost engine champions manufacturer and customer desires for smaller, more efficient but engaging engine types.

"This year's competition was the fiercest yet, but the 1.0-litre EcoBoost continues to stand out for all the right reasons – great refinement, surprising flexibility and excellent efficiency," stated Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the International Engine of the Year awards.

The 999cc Ford EcoBoost engine is available in Australia in the Fiesta and EcoSport, and soon the Focus will get it too. In the Fiesta it pumps out 92kW/170Nm while using just 4.9L/100km. There is also a high-output version that generates 102kW and can eclipse 200km/h, fitted to the Fiesta Black and Red Editions (pictured) in Europe.

Ferrari's powertrain chief, Vittorio Dini, praised the work his team has done on the 4.5-litre V8, particularly in the new 445kW tune for the 458 Speciale variant.

"This is a fantastic result for everyone at Ferrari and reflects our commitment to continually developing our engines," said Dini.

"The 4.5-litre in the new 458 Speciale has the highest specific output ever achieved with a naturally-aspirated, road-going engine – 135 hp per litre – along with even better efficiency and the razor-sharp performance our clients expect," he added.

As well as overall winners, there are numerous sub category winners, including engine sizes from sub 1.0-litre, which the Ford three-cylinder also won, along with Green engine (Tesla), New engine (Mercedes-Benz) and Performance engine (Ferrari) categories.

For the full list of winners and losers, check out the official International Engine of the Year Awards results page.

Michael Taylor, one of the six Australian journalists on the International Engine of the Year Awards judging panel, is a motoring.com.au contributor. John Carey and Peter Robinson are also judges from Australia, both Wheels magazine contributors.