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Engine of the Year 2011 - BMW Group Wins Four Titles

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18.05.2011 | Press Release

Munich/ Stuttgart. With four class victories in the competition “International Engine of the Year Award” 2011, the BMW Group repeated last year’s success, whilst at the same time strengthening its position as the most successful manufacturer to take part in the competition. Four, six and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines prevailed in their respective displacement classes. The award-winning engines are featured in a number of current models of the BMW and MINI brands. In addition to the V8 power unit of the BMW M3 and the straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, the four-cylinder diesel with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and the new four-cylinder power unit under the bonnet of the MINI Cooper S also received an Engine of the Year award. The commendation of the award-winners took place during the trade fair “Engine Expo” in Stuttgart.

The success in four of the eight capacity classes in the world’s most renowned engine competition underscores yet again the BMW Group’s outstanding expertise in the field of engine development. Thanks to Efficient Dynamics there is a choice of exceptionally powerful and at the same time remarkably efficient engines available for all models of the BMW and MINI brands. Since 1999, the company has been able to claim more than 50 class and overall victories in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition.

Commendation for the awards is decided by an international jury, which consisted this year of 65 car journalists from 32 countries. In the capacity class 1.4 to 1.8 litres an award went to the engine featured in the new MINI Cooper S. The 1.6-litres four-cylinder engine is equipped with a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct petrol injection as well as variable valve control based on the BMW-patented VALVETRONIC system. This combination renders the 135 kW/184 bhp engine the world’s most efficient power unit of its type and size. It assumes the title from the predecessor engine used in the MINI Cooper S, which was able to seize the class victory in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition four times in a row.

The second victory in succession went to the four-cylinder diesel engine with TwinPower Turbo technology. Like last year, the 2-litre power unit featured in the BMW 123d and the BMW X1 xDrive23d was also successful in the engine category 1.8 to 2 litres. With its impressive pulling power and exceptionally low fuel consumption and emission levels, the 150 kW/204 bhp engine still sets the benchmark in its class.

A BMW engine was able to repeat last year’s victory in the capacity class 2.5 to 3 litres as well. The jury voted once again for the 3-litre, 225 kW/306 bhp straight six-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which is also featured in the new BMW 5 Series, in the new BMW X3 as well as in a 235 kW/320 bhp version of the new BMW 6 Series Convertible and the new BMW 6 Series Coupé. Its unique technology package comprising a Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct injection technology High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC valve control ensures a particularly favourable relation between driving pleasure and fuel consumption. In this area, it even surpasses its predecessor, which was not only able to win the class valuation in the “Engine of the Year Award” competition three times, but also claim overall victory spanning several categories in 2007 and 2008.

The only naturally aspirated engine amongst the four award-winners is responsible for the currently most impressive series of victories. For the fourth time in succession the V8 power unit featured in the BMW M3 was triumphant in the 3 to 4-litre capacity class. The 309 kW/420 bhp, 4-litre engine convinced the jury yet again with the exceptional pulling power generated by the characteristic high-revving concept utilised on this power unit. The engine under the bonnets of the high-performance sports cars BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Saloon and BMW M3 Convertible combines its outstanding performance characteristics with remarkable efficiency, which is attributable among other things to the Auto Start Stop function, brake energy regeneration and further Efficient Dynamics technologies.

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[Jake C]

Originally Posted by southlight

[Engine of the Year 2011 - BMW Group Wins Four Titles] The second victory in succession went to the four-cylinder diesel engine with TwinPower Turbo technology. Like last year, the 2-litre power unit featured in the BMW 123d and the BMW X1 xDrive23d was also successful in the engine category 1.8 to 2 litres. With its impressive pulling power and exceptionally low fuel consumption and emission levels, the 150 kW/204 bhp engine still sets the benchmark in its class.

Here is a hint BMWNA we Americans want more Diesel options.

- J

[DM1]

BMW FTMFW!!!

[Ilma]

Funny no one seems to mention the negative long-term effects of direct injection engines

C A R B O N B U I L D U P on the intake valves.

They just keep awarding that technology in spite of the well documented gremlins which continue to plague it.

[crackberry]

The s65 ftw!

[Augenbrauezug]

Originally Posted by Ilma

Funny no one seems to mention the negative long-term effects of direct injection engines

C A R B O N B U I L D U P on the intake valves.

They just keep awarding that technology in spite of the well documented gremlins which continue to plague it.

From the perspective of 4 year 50,000 mile warranty it's not an issue.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by Augenbrauezug

From the perspective of 4 year 50,000 mile warranty it's not an issue.

During those 4 yrs/50k mls I haven't seen a single person able to get their valves cleaned under warranty. They all had to pay out of pocket. It's an issue.

P.S. How does the twinpower n55 win an award with all the hpfp issues? Just saying.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by tag824

During those 4 yrs/50k mls I haven't seen a single person able to get their valves cleaned under warranty. They all had to pay out of pocket. It's an issue.

P.S. How does the twinpower n55 win an award with all the hpfp issues? Just saying.

N54 had more problems and was/is praised even more

[Tag]

Originally Posted by persian54

N54 had more problems and was/is praised even more

That too which is why I don't value these awards.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Ilma

Funny no one seems to mention the negative long-term effects of direct injection engines

C A R B O N B U I L D U P on the intake valves.

Is this as big a problem on DI engines with forced induction as it is on naturally aspirated ones? It seems like the problems I have heard most about are with N/A engines. But I admit I haven't really researched it.

[S65B40]

I am a proud owner of 2/4 engines listed in the article!

[han405]

Originally Posted by Wall$treet

S65 engine "amazing efficiency?" Clearly this discredits this jury pool. It has among the worst efficiency in its class and of any engine!

why not? the fuel consumption is not much lower when compared to say, N54's and it has 120 bhp more than it.
on top of that this is an n/a engine, not even turbo charged.

name another n/a 400+ hp engine with noticeable superior (lower) fuel consumption.

[JoeyBananaz18]

Originally Posted by tag824

That too which is why I don't value these awards.

these awards really dont take into consideration part failures. I asked the same question last year, and i was told that these awards are based on size, weight, output and MPG collectively.

[kyleb350]

The displacement categories seem to favor BMW as well. I'm curious if there is a >4 liter category and which engine would have won that.

/EDIT/
Audi won the 2.0-2.5L with their turbo 2.5
Ferrari won the 4+L with the 4.5L V8 in the 458

[roho3323]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

The displacement categories seem to favor BMW as well. I'm curious if there is a >4 liter category and which engine would have won that.

/EDIT/
Audi won the 2.0-2.5L with their turbo 2.5
Ferrari won the 4+L with the 4.5L V8 in the 458

The M5/M6 V-10 won a number of consecutive years in that category.

[Vanos1]

Originally Posted by tag824

During those 4 yrs/50k mls I haven't seen a single person able to get their valves cleaned under warranty. They all had to pay out of pocket. It's an issue.

P.S. How does the twinpower n55 win an award with all the hpfp issues? Just saying.

If thos customers have been paying, they have been screwed over.
It is a warranty covered item.

[WRXXX]

Originally Posted by shift@red

S65!

Carrera GTS is 27 hwy mpg. I think even the GT3/GT3RS are mid 20s for highway.

Actually e9X M3 is 20/mpg. GT3 is roughly the same at 21/mpg. However there's no way u can drive the GT3 smoothly and comfortably in the city compare to M3 engine. And yes the GTS is higher at 27/mpg but max rev is only at 7500rpm.

But honestly the GT-R had higher mpg then M3. But only if driven like a grandma. Once driven normally or even remotely fast, it consumes much more gas.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by han405

name another n/a 400+ hp engine with noticeable superior (lower) fuel consumption.

Ford Coyote V8
GM LS3 V8
Hyundai Tau V8
Infiniti VK56VD V8
Lexus 2UR-GSE V8

I'll leave off Mercedes M273 V8 and Chrysler 5.7L Hemi V8 because they come up just short in HP (though their larger displacement brothers - M156 and 6.1L Hemi, respectively do make 400hp+), and probably don't appreciably outperform the S65 in efficiency anyway. Of course, they also don't use them is a lighter 3500lb car like the M3, so it is impossible to judge their efficiency in a similar application.

[han405]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Ford Coyote V8
GM LS3 V8
Hyundai Tau V8
Infiniti VK56VD V8
Lexus 2UR-GSE V8

I'll leave off Mercedes M273 V8 and Chrysler 5.7L Hemi V8 because they come up just short in HP (though their larger displacement brothers - M156 and 6.1L Hemi, respectively do make 400hp+), and probably don't appreciably outperform the S65 in efficiency anyway. Of course, they also don't use them is a lighter 3500lb car like the M3, so it is impossible to judge their efficiency in a similar application.

nice list of engines..
However, ALL of them are over 4-liter displacement engines, which made them officially invalid to be compared in the 3 - 4 liter capacity class category by default.
and if I'm not mistaken, many of engines you listed are rated UNDER 400 hp, right?

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by crackberry

The s65 ftw!

I can't believe even after 6 years the S65 is still king. Amazing job BMW.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by han405

nice list of engines..
However, ALL of them are over 4-liter displacement engines, which made them officially invalid to be compared in the 3 - 4 liter capacity class category by default.

Yep. But then, you didn't mention that in your original request, and I am unable to read minds (well, actually I can, just not over the internet).

and if I'm not mistaken, many of engines you listed are rated UNDER 400 hp, right?

Nope - you are mistaken.

[han405]

Originally Posted by Wall$treet

What are you talking about? n54/55 gets 30mpg on the highway and 20 around the city without even being a granny. S65 is 12 around city and 20 at the most on the highway. 10mpg is HUGE.

A corvette has more HP, more displacement and gets around 28mpg.

I am nto saying the engine is not great but it sure is not for its efficiency

you get 30 hwy and 20 city with an N54?? are you pulling my leg?
two and half years ago I got a loaner 335i (n54) with 4000 miles for a week when my e46 M3 was in for service. i was only able to get about 22 mpg combined..(daily driving, with the same route and behavior when compared to driving my m3s)
considering it's a FI engine, it's not that different from my S54 engine (avg. 19 combined). My S65 engine averages about 17 mpg combined.