The groundbreaking BMW i8 supercarwith its 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain has won the 2015 International Engine of the Year Award. The BMW i8 was launched in South Africa earlier in the year along with the BMW i3 and so far the interest in these vehicles has been phenomenal.

The victory marks the end of Ford’s reign, winning three years with its 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which placed second this time round with only 7 points separating the two leaders. Even so, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost is not to be scoffed at, it’s a good engine that does service in a number of local products in South Africa including the Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport, and Tourneo Connect. Third place was scooped by PSA Peugeot Citroen’s three cylinder 1.2-litre turbo engine which does service locally in the Peugeot 308, Citroen DS3 and Citroen C4 Cactus.

The International Engine of the Year Award is judged by respected motoring journalists consisting of 65 jury members from all around the world. This year’s winning engines combine high-end performance with advanced technologies that reduce emissions and improve emissions. Let’s take a look at the top 3 results in each category.

BMW i8 wins International Engine of the Year Award

1.BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid (BMW i8) – 274 points

2.Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost (Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus, C-Max, Grand C-Max, Fiesta Red/Black, Mondeo, EcoSport, Tourneo Connect / Courier)– 267 points

3.SA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo (Peugeot 208, 308, Citroen C3, DS3, C3 Picasso, C4 Cactus, C4, DS4)– 222 points

Sub 1-litre

1. Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost (Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus, C-Max, Grand C-Max, Fiesta Red/Black, Mondeo, EcoSport, Tourneo Connect / Courier)– 444 points

2. General Motors 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo (Opel Adam, Opel Corsa) – 176 points

3. BMW 650cc two-cylinder electric petrol range-extender (BMW i3) – 163 points

1-Litre to 1.4-Litre

1. PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo (Peugeot 208, 308, Citroen C3, DS3, C3 Picasso, C4 Cactus, C4, DS4)– 243 points

2. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Volkswagen Eos, CC, Tiguan, Seat Ibiza, Alhambra, Ibiza Cupra) – 174 points

3. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI electric-petrol hybrid (Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron) – 165 points

1.4-Litre to 1.8-Litre

1. BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-petrol hybrid (BMW i8) – 262 points

2. Audi 1.8-litre TFSI (Audi A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, Seat Leon FR, Skoda Octavia, Superb, Yeti, Volkswagen Jetta, Passat)– 177 points

3. BMW/PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.6-litre turbo petrol (Mini Clubman Cooper S, Coupe / Roadster Cooper S, Countryman Cooper S, Paceman Cooper S, Clubman Cooper Works, Coupe / Roadster Cooper Works, Countryman Cooper Works, Paceman Cooper Works, Peugeot 208, 308, 3008, 508, 5008, 208 GTI, 308 GT, RCZ, RCZ R, Citroen DS3, DS3 Racing, C4 / DS4, DS4 Racing, C4 Picasso / Grand Picasso, C5, DS5) – 158 points

2-Litre to 2.5-Litre

1. Audi 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo (Audi RS3 , RS Q3) – 347 points

2. Mazda 2.2-litre turbo (Mazda 3 / Axela, 6 / Atenza, CX-5) – 184 points

3. Ford 2.3-litre turbo (Ford Mustang, Ford Focus RS, Explorer, Lincoln MKC) – 154 points

2.5-Litre – 3-Litre

1. BMW M 3-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder (BMW M3, M4) – 246 points

2. BMW 3-litre twin-turbo six cylinder (BMW M135i, 235i, 640i, 335i, 435i, Z4 35i, 535i, X3 35i, X4 35i, X5 35i, X6 35i, Z4 35is) – 178 points

3. Porsche 2.7-litre Boxer (Porsche Boxster, Cayman) – 158 points

3-Litre to 4-Litre

1.McLaren 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 (McLaren 675LT, 650S, 625C, 12C) – 258 points

2.Mercedes-AMG 4-litre biturbo V8 (Mercedes-AMG GT, GT S, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG) – 239 points

3. Porsche 3.8-litre Boxer (Porsche 911 Carrera S, 911 GTS, 911 GT3, Cayman GT4) – 214 points

Above 4-Litre

1. Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Speciale) – 295 points

2. Ferrari 6.3-litre V12 (Ferrari F12 Berlinetta) – 222 points

3. Mercedes-AMG 5.5-litre V8 turbo (Mercedes-AMG E63 AMG, CLS63 AMG, ML63 AMG, GLE 63 AMG, E63 AMG S, CLS65 AMG, S63 AMG, SL63 AMG, G63 AMG, GL63 AMG) – 140 points

Green Engine

1. Tesla full-electric powertrain (Tesla Model S) – 239 points

2.BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-petrol hybrid (BMW i8) – 191 points

3. BMW full-electric powertrain (BMW i3) – 103 points

New Engine

1.BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-petrol hybrid (BMW i8) – 339 points

2.Mercedes-AMG 4-litre biturbo V8 (Mercedes-AMG GT, GT S, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG) – 209 points

3. Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8 (Ferrari California) – 159 points

Performance Engine

1.Ferrari 4.5-litre V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Speciale) – 236 points

2.Mercedes-AMG 4-litre biturbo V8 (Mercedes-AMG GT, GT S, C63 AMG, C63 S AMG) – 148 points

3.Porsche 3.8-litre Boxer (Porsche 911 Carrera S, 911 GTS, 911 GT3, Cayman GT4) – 129 points