Engine of the Year 2011

The juried awards were determined by a panel consisting of 76 journalists and industry experts from 36 different countries. The TwinAir engine by Fiat Powertrain took out top honours in its own displacement category (less than 1,000 cm3), as well as being elected International Engine of the Year 2011, the top award in the competition. The TwinAir also won the Best New Engine 2011 and Best Green Engine 2011 awards. The TwinAir is currently available in Europe in the 85-hp Turbo configuration powering the Fiat 500 and Fiat 500C. It is about to be joined by a 65-hp aspirated version in the new Chrysler Ypsilon, and in another high-performance 105-hp Turbo version at the very top of the category in terms of specific power (120-hp/litre), as well as in the ecological 80-hp Turbo bi-fuel version.

So what's so special about the TwinAir engines? Highly efficient, the engines in the TwinAir family feature MultiAir technology for optimum management of the intake valves, which affords exceptional performance levels alongside extremely low fuel consumption and accordingly low CO2 emissions. Members of the jury had some highly flattering comments to make about the TwinAir; "This is proof that aggressive downsizing need not spell timid performance. Surprisingly torquey, impressively and affordably efficient, this tiny twin also has plenty of character," said Australian judge, John Carey of Wheels. "Four trophies in one year? A remarkable performance! TwinAir has written its place in the history of the International Engine of the Year Awards," said Dean Slavnich, Engine Technology International. The awards were collected by Eng. Aldo Marangoni, Product Engineering Vice President and by Eng. Dario Sacco, Engines Platform Vice President.

"Today's success is the crowning moment of all our hard work in researching innovative technological solutions and designing increasingly efficient engines. Our engines contribute towards sustaining the leadership position of the Fiat S.p.A. group in the rankings of the most eco-friendly car manufacturers," declared the managers of Fiat Powertrain at the end of the award-giving ceremony. The 2011 awards follow on from Fiat's recent success with the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo engine, which picked up the Best New Engine 2010 award last year, cementing Fiat Powertrain's leadership position in developing and producing small displacement engines with a high technological content and low environmental impact.