The "International Engine of the Year Award" is a big deal as far as bragging rights go in this industry. Think of it like the Academy Awards for engines. However, instead of members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voting, you have 62 renowned motoring journalists, from 30 countries, casting ballots for their favorite fossil fuel burner.
Last year's winner (pictured above) was BMW's twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6. This year's list of nominees includes Nissan's 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 (found in the Nissan GT-R), Mitsubishi' 2.0-liter twin-turbo I4 (Mitsubishi EVO X), Audi's 5.2-liter V10 (Audi S8), Chevrolet's 6.2-liter supercharged V8 (Corvette ZR1), and BMW's 4.0-liter V8 (BMW M3). Let's sit back and listen to the orchestra for a bit... the winners don't get announced until May 7, at Engine Expo 2008, in Stuttgart, Germany.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Zach H @ Apr 17th 2008 11:08AM
"Mitsubishi' 2.0-liter twin-turbo I4 (Mitsubishi EVO X),"
The Evo X has a twin-scroll turbo, not a twin turbo (as in two turbos). Just one :)
-Zach
speedball3 @ Apr 17th 2008 11:26AM
Yeah, I was wondering about that. Somehow, w/such competition, I doubt the evo engine will get much attention here... sure it's a great engine, aluminum block and all, but vs. the GTR engine and the 335 engine? Not so much. Granted, if it actually WERE twin turbo that'd be freakin AWESOME!
Omer @ Apr 17th 2008 11:10AM
GT-R should win no-doubt and I am 335 owner.
3seriesisking @ Apr 17th 2008 12:45PM
Being a fellow 335 owner, I'll have to agree with you on that one but I think the M3's 4.0 will give it a run for it's money.
Russell @ Apr 17th 2008 1:26PM
How about putting all the engines up on a stand and see which one lasts longer under full load.
Hardy @ Apr 17th 2008 11:13AM
I like the General's thinking. What we need here are more cubic inches, not overhead cams!
Aprime @ Apr 17th 2008 11:15AM
I'd love a QOHC. :D
Yar @ Apr 17th 2008 11:23AM
Overhead cam? Ridiculous... GM's OHV engines are second to none when it comes to power per lb and performance per dollar. I still don't understand why some people think that cam-in-block engines aren't "advanced".
Kevin @ Apr 17th 2008 11:32AM
Hardy;
And the problems with pushrod engines are....?
Hardy @ Apr 17th 2008 1:38PM
Nothing, I said I liked the Generals thinking! No sarcasm invovled (speeds back to work in his pushrod driven Tahoe)
BAMF @ Apr 17th 2008 11:13AM
GT-R FTW
Jesse Thoresen @ Apr 17th 2008 11:24AM
I always thought this award is a little misleading. It should be the “2008 International Engine of the Year Award available to U.S. buyers”
Igenius @ Apr 17th 2008 11:24AM
3.8 liter twin turbo got my vote, GT-R
Way of the Future @ Apr 17th 2008 11:29AM
this should go to the GT-R, the EVO engine is basically a update of the older engine, and the other engines are just monstrosities, anyone can make power with larger displacement!
Blake @ Apr 17th 2008 11:45AM
Any one can make more power with multiple turbos as well. Kinda the point of installing turbos, no?
Kevin @ Apr 17th 2008 12:07PM
Would you care to explain how the ~0.2L difference between the M3's V8 and the GT-R's V6 is sufficient difference to qualify the V8 as a "monstrosity", while somehow allowing the V6 to escape the same label?
Nick @ Apr 17th 2008 12:09PM
I thought the EVO was sporting the new "World Engine" design. Found all the way to the Dodge Caliber model..
StickShift @ Apr 17th 2008 12:20PM
Nick, it is. Its completely new design from the ground up and is unrelated to the old 4g63.
Yar @ Apr 17th 2008 1:22PM
Forced induction IS adding displacement
mk @ Apr 17th 2008 11:31AM
Maybe it won't be elligible until next year, but the engine that has piqued my interest lately...
The VK50VE Nissan V8 in the Infiniti FX50.
5-liter dual overhead cam, double VVT AND VVEL, Direct injected. Better power AND fuel economy than the outgoing 4.5 liter.
GT-R's 3.8TT VQ engine is fantastic, no doubt. Something about a naturally aspirated V8 of modest to average displacement seems really good to me.
I like turbos a lot, but there is something to be said for a tractable, high-power and torque, naturally aspirated engine. The reason BMW for a long time, and even the BMW-powered McLaren F1 preferred NA engines was for the purity of response. No sharp turbo reaction, no inertia penalty of a mechanically driven supercharger.
With good balance, and a light flywheel, a NA V8 with ~400hp and less rotating inertia than a 6-7 liter engine could be a sublime powerplant.
That and VVEL technology that could theoretically render a throttle-body unnecessary, and properly tuned could have a nice wide powerband, not hindered like a fixed valvetrain that has a specific peak efficiency.
Now if it were only horizontally opposed, instead of a "V".... :D