The International Engine of the Year Awards have i recent years become one of the most sought-after automotive accolades and an effective marketing tool for triumphant marques.

Judged by a panel of renowned motoring journalists from 26 countries as disparate as the USA, Japan, China, Russia, New Zealand, India, Korea, Germany, France, South Africa, and the UK, the Awards highlight and acknowledge underhood engineering excellence. Judges apply their impressions from driving today's latest cars to help them find the powerplants that offer the best driveability, performance, economy, and refinement, and reward manufacturers for the successful application of advanced engine technology.

The Awards are organised by UKIP Media & Events - Automotive Magazines Division, Britain’s largest group of technical car publications that include Engine Technology International, Testing Technology International, Tire Technology International, Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International, Vehicle Dynamics International and European Automotive Components News.

BEST ENGINE 1.0-1.4 LITRE CATEGORY: FIAT 1.3 MULTIJET 16v

Runner-up in this category when it was launched last year, the Fiat-GM Powertrain 1.3-litre turbodiesel has in 2005 taken top honours in the 1-litre to 1.4-litre class. The victory strikes a blow for oil burners in the fuel efficiency battle with hybrids (Honda’s Civic IMA had dominated this category for two years), and is proof of the growing global acceptance of diesel as a fuel of the future.

Fiat-GM’s Polish-built, 1251cc common-rail diesel features the so- called ‘Multijet’ technology that was developed at the Fiat Research Centre. ‘Multijet’ uses electronic control to divide the main injection into several smaller ones to achieve quieter combustion, reduced emissions and increased performance. The system can be applied differently depending on the engine’s requirements at any given moment – for example, to reduce start-up times, provide more torque, or lower noise.
 

Low weight is a further asset of this 70bhp, 170Nm engine. The use of aluminium in the base and cylinder head helps keep that weight down, thus aiding vehicle performance and handling characteristics.

And it’s compact too: the unit measures just 460mm x 500mm x 650mm, which means it can be installed in a wide variety of vehicles, such as Fiat Panda, Vauxhall Corsa and Suzuki Ignis. This versatility certainly found favour with the judges: “A frugal and agile engine for a wide variety of different cars,” praised Thomas Imhof, while Graham Johnson added, “The Fiat-GM is a very smooth, very quiet diesel application that offers fine driveability and performance, combined with economy.”

International Engine of the Year 2005: 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre category: 1st Fiat-GM Diesel 1.3-litre (Panda, Punto, Lancia Ypsilon, Opel/Vauxhall Tigra, Corsa)  225pts; 2nd Honda 1.3-litre IMA (Civic)  218pts; 3. Peugeot-Citroën/Ford Diesel 1.4-litre (C2, C3, Fiesta, 1007)  138pts; 4th Volkswagen 1.4-litre FSI (Polo, Golf)  94pts; 5th Toyota Diesel 1.4-litre (MINI, Yaris/Echo/Vitz)  50pts; 6th Daihatsu 1.3-litre (YRV, Terios)  49pts.

1.3 MULTIJET 16v - TAKING ON THE EFFICIENT JAPANESE HYBRIDS

Note must also be made of the 'Best Fuel Economy Engine' category where the 1.3 Multijet came home in a very credible third place, beaten only by two genuine electro-combustion 'hybrid' engines from Toyota. The 1.5-litre hybrid unit, as fitted in the award winning Prius, won the title overall, ahead of the Japanese carmaker's 3.3-litre hybrid offering, which came out just 15 points ahead of the Multijet. With Fiat's compact next-generation 'common rail' diesel finishing ahead of a swage of highly regarded 'efficient' engines including Honda's 1.3-litre IMA engine and the Accord's 3.3-litre hybrid unit, it was a resounding all round thumbs up for Fiat's highly efficient, compact and versatile 'baby'.