Ferrari clinches 2017 International Engine of the Year award

Ferrari's 3.9-litre V8 from the 488 GTB has won the 2017 International Engine of the Year award for the second consecutive year. The twin-turbo V8 fended off close competition from Porsche's 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo powering the 911 Carrera. Apart from the overall prize, the 3.9-litre V8 won top honours in the 'Performance Engine' and the '3.0 to 4.0-litre' categories.

With its win, Ferrari's V8 joins four other powertrains such as BMW M's V10, BMW's 3.0-litre twin-turbo six, Volkswagen's 1.4-litre 'Twincharged' TSI and Ford's 1.0-litre EcoBoost that have won the award at least twice.

The engine, which replaces the old 4.5-litre naturally aspirated V8, was a popular choice among the judges due to its sophisticated design, advanced technologies and sharp throttle response. In the 488 GTB, the 3,902cc V8 puts out 670hp at 8,000rpm, and 760Nm at 3,000rpm.

"It's fitting that probably the best turbocharged engine ever developed has secured back-to-back titles," said Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the International Engine of the Year Awards.

Honda bagged its first New Engine award for its 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric hybrid. The 567hp, 3,493cc, all-aluminium unit powers the 2017 NSX sportscar.

In a move telling of the rising importance of electric vehicles, an Electric Powertrain category has been created specifically for full-electric vehicles this year within the International Engine of the Year Awards. Tesla's all-electric powertrain from the Model X and Model S was adjudged winner in this category. Tesla also won the Green Engine award for a fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, a new 100kWh battery has increased Model S' range to 613km, up from 508km.

Ford's popular EcoBoost aced the sub-1.0-litre category for the sixth year running. In its final year, before it gets replaced by a more advanced next-gen unit, the EcoBoost staved off stiff competition from VW's 1.0 TSI.

In the 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre category, the PSA Peugeot Citroën 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine emerged a winner for the third successive year. Judges were impressed by its high efficiency, refinement and drivability.

BMW's 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid from the i8 secured a hattrick of wins in the '1.4 to 1.8-litre' category, taking the tally of total victories by BMW in this category to 12. Porsche secured its first win in the 1.8-litre to 2.0-litre category with its 2.0-litre turbo that powers the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman.

In the 2.0-litre to 2.5-litre category, Audi's 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo powering the RS 3 and TT RS remained dominant. It fended off stiff competition from Porsche's new 2.5-litre boxer.

Porsche's 3-litre flat-six turbo petrol defended its crown this year in the 2.5-litre to 3.0-litre category by a significant margin over the BMW M3/ M4's unit. Offered in two states of tune, 370hp and 420hp, depending on whether buyers opt for the Carrera or Carrera S options, the 3-litre engine has powered five 911 models.

In the above 4.0-litre category, the naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V12 from the F12tdf won for the second successive year, despite rising competition from turbo-boosted units.

The jury of the International Engine of the Year Awards comprises a panel of 58 motoring journalists from 31 countries.