With just 7 points more than Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost, the BMW sportscar’s hybrid power house clinched the overall victory World Engine Of The Year 2015. Ford’s little wonder has to settle for a win in 1.0-litre sub-category.
The 1.5-litre three-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol motor is tuned to pump out an impressive 231 PS of power which is supported by a 131 PS electric motor. With a combined power output of 362 PS, BMW i8 is capable of catapulting form rest to ton in just 4.4 seconds (with hybrid all-wheel drive) before hitting its electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph.
Despite its strong performance figures, the slow-slug carbon fibre clad sportscar is claimed to deliver 40 kmpl and 40 g/km of CO2 under European driving cycle. In India, the highly exclusive halo car is priced at a whopping INR 2.29 crores (ex-showroom).
Sachin Tendulkar at the launch of BMW i8 in India earlier this year.BMW engines also took home segment victories in 1.4-1.8 litre, New Engine (with 1.5-litre 3-cylinder unit) and 2.5-3.0-litre categories (M3’s 431 PS 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder motor).
Mercedes A45 AMG’s 2.0-litre topped the 1.8-2.0-litre category while Audi’s 2.5-litre TFSI motor emerged as the best powerplant in 2.0-2.5-litre category. Other sub-category winners included PSA’s 1.2-litre turbo petrol, McLaren’s 3.8-litre V8 and Ferrari’s 4.5-litre V8 which also won the performance engine of the year award.
Tesla’s pure electric motor went home with green engine of the year award.
