New BMW 745i Overall Winner In International Engine Of The Year Awards

The 4.4 litre VALVETRONIC engine that powers the recently launched new BMW 745i has been named International Engine of the Year 2002 by Engine Technology International magazine . BMW also won awards in four other categories confirming the company's long established reputation as a leader in engineering excellence. Graham Johnson, Editor, Engine Technology International said, "This BMW engine is the new performance and refinement benchmark in the automotive world".

These prestigious global awards are judged by a panel of 40 leading journalists from 18 countries around the world including the UK, USA and Germany. This year's award makes BMW the overall winner for two consecutive years, having won with the 3.4 litre M3 engine in 2001.

BMW 4.4 litre V8 VALVETRONIC

Winner of two categories, 'Best New Engine 2002' and 'Above 4 litre' engine, the 4.4 litre V8 also claimed the overall award. Praised for its impressive performance (333 bhp at 6,100 rpm, 450 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm and 0-62 mph in just 6.3 seconds), the 4.4 litre engine also proves itself frugal for its category returning 34 mpg.

However, it was more than benchmark performance and economy that singled the 4.4 litre engine out as the overall winner, it was also praised for its remarkable technological innovations including its unique six speed automatic transmission, Double VANOS and state-of-the-art VALVETRONIC system.

Advances outside of the engine bay were also noted - the active anti-roll system known as Dynamic Drive and new iDrive information/control centre contributed to making the new 745i an "impressive high tech statement in luxury and power".

BMW 3.2 litre (M3, M Roadster, M Coupe) - Winner 3 litre to 4 litre Last year's winner and this year claiming victory over Porsche's 3.6 litre Turbo engine and Ferrari's 3.6 litre V8, the BMW 343 bhp 'M' - developed engine was described by one of the judges as "a shatteringly responsive and smooth engine that hurtles unrelentingly to its 8,000 rpm limiter - it makes you feel as if you're strapped to a cruise missile".

BMW 3 litre (Z3, 330i, 530i, X5) - Winner 2.5 litre to 3 litre

This category was dominated by BMW, and for a second year running the three litre, straight six cylinder petrol engine narrowly beat its 2.9 litre diesel stablemate. Both engines were 60 points clear of their Mercedes rival and are "testament to the fact that that the Bavarians build the world's greatest power plants in the junior to mid executive car market" (Engine Technology International magazine).