Watch the International Engine + Powertrain of the Year
Awards 2019 highlights
Covid-19 impact
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250PS to 350PS
Results
| ENGINE | POINTS |
|---|---|
| WINNER! - Porsche 2.5-litre turbo (Porsche 718 Boxster S, 718 Cayman S) |
144 |
| BMW 3-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder (BMW 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X3, Z4) |
138 |
| Audi 2-litre four-cylinder TFSI (Audi TT, TT S, S1, S3, SQ2, A3, A4, A5, A6, Q2, Q3, Q5, Seat Leon Cupra, Leon Cupra R, Cupra R ST, Alhambra, Ateca, Cupra Ateca, Skoda Octavia RS, Superb, Kodiaq, Volkswagen Golf GTi, Golf R, Golf TCR, Polo GTi, T-Roc, Atlas, Passat, Arteon, CC, Beetle, Tiguan, Sharan) |
130 |
| Honda 2-litre turbo (Honda Civic Type R, Accord) |
118 |
| Tesla full-electric powertrain (Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3) |
84 |
| Nissan / Infiniti 2-litre VC-Turbo (Infiniti QX50) |
82 |
Winner's Video
Winner's Interview
Cars
THE WIN BY THE FOUR-CYLINDER CAME AS A SURPRISE
JUST SIX POINTS SEPARATED FIRST AND SECOND PLACE
PORSCHE’S 3-LITRE BEAT RENAULT-NISSAN’S VC-TURBO
ONE PANELLIST DESCRIBED THE ENGINE AS THRILLING
❝ Whoever scoffs at the idea of a four-banger from this particular car maker may forever be silenced by this engine ❞
Stephen Siler, freelance journalist
Review
Technical Specification
Porsche 718 Boxster S
- engine capacity: 2,497cc
- number of cylinders: 4
- power output: 350PS
- bore x stroke: 102 x 76.4mm
- compression ratio: 9.5:1
it is their 3-litre six-cylinder turbo creation that has been the favourite with this global panel, having won its category in both 2017 and 2018. Finally, though, the superb powertrain development team in Stuttgart has gained the recognition it deserves for the 2.5-litre turbo screamer that develops 350PS in the Porsche 718 Boxster S and the 718 Cayman S.
With over 50 worthy participants and just six points separating first and second, it was a close-run race in the 250PS to 350PS category of 2019’s International Engine + Powertrain of the Year Awards. Throughout the voting process, the final results were almost impossible to call as each auto maker battled to take the top honours. However, Porsche’s excellent flat-four turbo powerplant found another gear, scoring those crucial points over the last few votes.
In the end, the Stuttgart-based brand took the trophy, rolling across the finish line just ahead of BMW’s 3-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder power pot, which came in second, just eight points ahead of Audi’s 2-litre four-cylinder TFSI heart, which took third place. And if that’s not enough of a feat, the motor also managed to fend off fresh competition in the class from Renault-Nissan’s game-changing variable compression-equipped turbo 2-litre firecracker, which produces 271PS in the Infiniti QX50, as well as significant competition from previous award-winner Mercedes-AMG with its crackling, popping turbocharged 2-litre unit that delivers 306PS housed in the Mercedes-AMG A35. It’s a triumphant victory for Porsche.
The powertrain has fans around the world, and one such is Yogendra Pratap, editor of India Today, who wrote that the engine is “Quite a little genius of a powerhouse providing all that one can ask for and then a little more joy!”
Elsewhere, Nicol Louw, a journalist for Car South Africa, summed up the unit’s appeal: “It may lack the aural quality of a naturally aspirated flat-six but this engine wants for nothing when it comes to performance.”