ENGINES OF THE YEAR

A record-equalling hat trick for Ferrari at international awards

Ferrari’s twin-turbo 3,9-litre V8 has again been crowned the overall winner at the International Engine of the Year Awards, becoming only the second unit (after Ford’s 1,0 Ecoboost threepot) to scoop the title three years in a row. Porsche’s turbocharged 3,0-litre six-cylinder placed second, with Ferrari’s 6,5-litre V12 completing the podium.

The Ferrari V8, codenamed F154CB (or F154CD in the 488 Pista), has been named the past two decades’ best engine, scooping the Best of the Best title conceived to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the awards.

The automaker also starred in other categories in 2018, grabbing the New Engine award for the 6,5-litre V12, as well as winning the Performance Engine and 3,0-litre to 4,0-litre categories, again with the twin-turbo V8.

“With its V8, Ferrari has shown even discerning car buyers want smaller, more ef cient engines. Indeed, the turbocharged engine’s blend of heart-thumping performance and glorious rumble has made it unbeatable,” said Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the awards.

At the other end of the spectrum, VW took the sub-1,0-litre award for its turbocharged 1,0 three-cylinder and Tesla grabbed both the Green Engine and Electric Powertrain titles.

CAR’S technical editor, Nicol Louw, is a member of the fully independent, international panel of industry judges.