For an unprecedented third year in succession, BMW has been named the outright winner of the acclaimed International Engine of the Year, this time for its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged petrol engine fitted to BMW 335i models. Following successes in 2005 and 2006, with the 5.0-liter V10 engine powering the M5 and M6 models, this year it was the turn of the six-cylinder. The engine was originally launched in the BMW 335i Coupe and is now available in Saloon, Touring and Convertible models.

BMW UK’s managing director, Jim O’Donnell, said: “BMW is immensely proud to receive this significant award for a third successive year, and the timing of the award couldn’t be better. The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine perfectly encapsulates BMW’s new EfficientDynamics program, delivering power, performance and impressive consumption and emissions figures.

“With its two turbochargers, the six-cylinder engine delivers the power and torque normally associated with a larger V8, but with the economy and emissions expected of a 2.5-liter car. As a result, owners can benefit from the dynamic driving experience expected of any BMW, yet potentially save hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds in fuel costs throughout their ownership.”

BMW took more category honors than any other manufacturer winning a total of seven awards for four engines. As well as winning the overall title, the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged unit took ‘Best new engine of the year 2007’ as well as ‘Best engine 2.5-3.0-liter 2007’. The winner of the top honor for the last two years (the V10 5.0-liter) was, this year, awarded two honors - ‘Best performance engine 2007’ and ‘Best engine – 4.0-liters and over 2007’.

In the smaller engine categories, BMW’s 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine used in the BMW X3 2.5si and Z4 2.5si Roadster models won ‘Best engine 2.0-2.5-liter 2007’ while, for the first time, an engine powering a MINI was successful.

In the 1.4-1.8-liter category, the trophy was awarded jointly to BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroën for the 1.6-liter turbo engine in the new MINI Cooper S and Peugeot 207. The innovative twin-scroll turbo technology with direct fuel injection has a power output of 175 bhp, while achieving nearly 41 mpg combined fuel consumption. All MINI petrol engines are assembled at BMW Group’s Hams Hall plant in the Midlands, before being delivered just-in-sequence to the MINI plant at Oxford.

The Winners

Best New Engine of 2007: BMW 3-liter Twin-Turbo (335i)

Best Fuel Economy: Toyota 1.5-liter Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)

Best Performance Engine: BMW 5-liter V10 (M5, M6)

Sub 1-liter: Toyota 1-liter (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citroën C1)

1-liter to 1.4-liter: Volkswagen 1.4-liter TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Jetta)

1.4-liter to 1.8-liter: BMW-PSA 1.6-liter Turbo (MINI, Peugeot 207)

1.8-liter to 2-liter: Volkswagen 2-liter Turbo (Golf, Audi A3, A6, SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia)

2-liter to 2.5-liter: BMW 2.5-liter (325, 525, X3, Z4)

2.5-liter to 3-liter: BMW 3-liter Twin-Turbo (335i)

3-liter to 4-liter: Porsche 3.6-liter Turbo(911)

Above 4-liter: BMW 5-liter V10 (M5, M6)

International Engine of the Year 2007: BMW 3-liter Twin-Turbo (335i)