Ferrari V-8 Named International Engine of the Year

Ferrari’s 3.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 has been selected this year’s International Engine of the Year by a panel of 62 journalists from 31 countries, marking the first time anything larger than a 6-cylinder mill has won the title since 2006.

The Ferrari V-8, which generates 670 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque in the 488 GTB supercar, also is the most powerful engine to win the annual competition. Judges praised the engine’s twin-scroll turbo system and compressor wheels and its advanced ion-sensing system that helps control ignition timing and prevent misfires.

BMW’s hybrid-electric system that teams a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder with an electric motor finished second in the voting. Porsche’s turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine ranked third. Rounding out the top five are two 3-cylinder engines: PSA’s 1.2-liter mill and Ford’s turbocharged 0.99-liter unit.

The Ferrari V-8 also won three other categories—Best New Engine, Performance Engine and the 3.0- to 4.0-liter size segment. It is one of only three engines to win four categories in a single year.

The full list of category winners are:

• Sub 1.0-liter             Ford 0.99-liter 3-cylinder
• 1.0- to 1.4-liter         PSA 1.2-liter 3-cylinder
• 1.4- to 1.8-liter         BMW 1.5-liter 3-cylinder
• 1.8- to 2.0-liter         Mercedes-AMG 2.0-liter turbo
• 2.0- to 2.5-liter         Audi 2.5-liter 5-cylinder
• 2.5- to 3.0-liter         Porsche 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbo
• 3.0- to 4.0-liter         Ferrari 3.9-liter V-8 bi-turbo
• Above 4.0-liters        Ferrari 6.3-liter V-12
• Green Engine            Tesla Electric
• Performance             Ferrari 3.9-liter V-8 bi-turbo
• New Engine              Ferrari 3.9-liter V-8 bi-turbo

The awards are sponsored by Engine Technology International magazine. Judges rate the engines on fuel economy, smoothness, performance, noise and drivability.