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TURBOS DOMINATE NOMINATIONS IN 2016 INTERNATIONAL ENGINE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

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  • Outstanding array of turbocharged engines dominate across almost every category
  • Can BMW’s 1.5-litre electric-gasoline hybrid retain its throne after clinching the International Engine of the Year award in 2015?
  • Industry heavyweights battle it out in the highly competitive New Engine of the Year category after a sublime year for recently launched powertrains

24 May 2016: The world-renowned International Engine of the Year Awards returns for its 18th year, with a mammoth field of exceptional nominations battling it out after another sublime 12 months of development in the industry.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Engine Expo 2016 in Stuttgart, Germany, on 1 June.

Acknowledged as the highest accolades for the world’s best powertrain technology, the International Engine of the Year Awards are independently judged by an international panel of experts, to honour the very best innovations and technical excellence across all corners of the engine development spectrum. The awards acknowledge the shift towards a greener future for engine technology, while also recognising the best traditional engine developments, including high-end performance motors.

This year has seen a staggering number of turbocharged engines nominated across the board, fully cementing the shift towards forced induction designs.

Dean Slavnich, editor of Engine Technology International and co-chairman of the International Engine of the Year Awards, says, “It’s been another sublime 12 months for powertrain development, evident in the immense array of technological prowess seen in every category. It promises to be a typically tight race – there will be no easy wins!” 

The winning powertrains in each of the eight capacity classes will all be shortlisted for the coveted International Engine of the Year award, which last year was clinched by BMW’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid, found in the BMW i8.

BMW will be hoping for another strong night for its hybrid powertrain, which is nominated for the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre award, but will face competition from itself in the form of the brand’s 1.5-litre turbo.  

The Green Engine of Year category has continued to go from strength to strength, with an outstanding 54 entries for 2016. Tesla hopes to scoop the title for a third year running, with its 2016 nomination further confirming its position at the forefront of eco-friendly powertrain technology, but the brand will compete with BMW, Volvo and Ford for top honours.

Some of the most celebrated new cars of the past year will see their respective engines compete in the New Engine of the Year award. Volvo’s 2-litre turbocharger supercharger electric-gasoline hybrid, found in the XC90, will do battle with the Honda 2-litre turbo, found in its Civic Type R, in a shortlist that also features Porsche, Ferrari and Ford.

Ferrari’s 3.9-litre bi-turbo V8, found in the Ferrari 488 GTB, also features in the much-anticipated Performance Engine of the Year category, which has seen a staggering 57 entries shortlisted. Ferrari will be aiming to scoop the award for the seventh year running, battling head-to-head with rival supercar marques McLaren, Lamborghini and Porsche, along with Mercedes-AMG, Ford, BMW and Audi.

In the capacity classes, there is a tantalising match up in the 1-litre to 1.4-litre category, which will see last year’s winner, PSA Peugeot Citroën’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo, take on other industry heavyweights BMW, Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler.

Ford will again be vying to make history as it aims to clinch the Sub 1-litre class for a fifth year running, for its superb 999cc three-cylinder EcoBoost turbo, found in the Fiesta, Focus and B-Max. If the EcoBoost wins, it will be the ninth award in five years for the much-lauded engine; however, it will face stiff competition from Volkswagen’s 999cc three-cylinder turbo.

For further information on the awards, please click here:

To register for media accreditation for Engine Expo 2016, please click here.

If you’d like to attend the awards ceremony, or to arrange interviews with the winners, please contact Peter Haynes (peter.haynes@ukipme.com) or Amy Miller (amy.miller@ukipme.com).

-ENDS-

Further information:

Peter Haynes, PR director, UKIP Media & Events: peter.haynes@ukipme.com

Amy Miller, account manager, UKIP Media & Events: amy.miller@ukipme.com