There are many publications, organizations and companies that hand out awards to the automotive industry for its various technical and design achievements, but few are so lauded as the winner of the International Engine of the Year competition. Judged by a panel of 62 of the world's top automotive journalists from around the globe, the engine that comes out on top--or tops in its class--can lay claim to being the best there is--for a year, at least.
Last year Porsche took out the prestigious ‘Best New Engine of the Year’ title for its 3.8-liter flat-six engine, and this year that title went to Fiat’s 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo, which develops up to 170 horsepower in some guises.
However, the engine we’re all interested in is AMG’s 6.2-liter V-8, which despite its age, plus the fact that it’s being phased out, managed to take out the ‘Best Performance Engine’ category as well as the category for the best engine above 4-liters. Incidentally, this engine was picked as the best overall for performance in last year’s awards as well.
It’s a crushing performance from an engine that specializes in, er, crushing performance! In its most highly tuned form, as seen in AMG versions of the S-, SL-, CL- and E-Class models, this naturally aspirated V-8 produces 525 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque--enough to ensure acceleration from 062 mph in a rapid 4.6 seconds.
It all adds up to a dominant display of power and efficiency from AMG, and another trophy for the cabinet. Perhaps the 6.2 will only be toppled from within: its creators are soon to launch a 5.5-liter, 571 horsepower twin-turbo V-8, which will reduce fuel consumption in the S 63 by as much as 25 percent.
Taking out the ‘Best Green Engine’ was Toyota’s 1.8-liter hybrid unit from the Prius.
