The awards, known as The Techies, recognise and highlight technological success, and Fiat’s distinctive 0.9-litre two cylinder engine has once again proved it is certainly that. Current International Engine of the Year 2011, the TwinAir is the cleanest quantity production petrol unit in the world. Yet it still manages to offer an exciting and fun appeal.

“Not every category is afforded a Highly Commended entrant, it’s only given out where the judges found it particularly difficult to split candidates and felt more than one deserved recognition,” says Paul Barker, Group Editor, BusinessCar.

Installed in the Fiat 500 to make it the world’s most eco-friendly petrol production car, the TwinAir is capable of a 0-62mph acceleration in 11 seconds, while maximum speed is 108mph. It has the lowest CO2 emissions of any quantity production petrol engine at 95g/km, along with 68.9mpg economy (combined cycle).

Together with the Fiat 500’s attributes, this powertrain aims to appeal to a wide variety of customers, including drivers who care about the environment and businesses keen to keep costs down. The Fiat 500 TwinAir range on the UK market starts at £11,600 on the road (OTR) for the 0.9 TwinAir, rising to £15,500 OTR for the convertible 500C TwinAir Lounge.