All the winners of the Engine of the Year award - does your car have

The International Engine of the Year award highlights how judging has evolved from small, efficient petrol units to higher-output powerplants across decades, culminating in Toyota’s 1999 “Mighty Atom” as the inaugural overall winner. The article revisits overall victors from the annual International Engine of the Year awards, beginning with Toyota’s 998cc 67bhp Yaris engine, praised for combining around 50 mpg fuel economy with performance, and later receiving a 1.3-litre update in October 1999. Honda’s 995cc Insight 1.0-litre IMA hybrid won in 2000, ahead of a Ferrari 5.5-litre V12 and others, with up to 100 mpg claimed under light driving. In 2001, BMW’s 3.2-litre straight-six produced 343bhp at 7900 rpm and 296 lb-ft at 4900 rpm, limited to 155 mph. Later years include BMW’s N62 4.4-litre V8 and Mazda’s 1.3-litre Renesis rotary in 2003, with the award continuing into Toyota’s hybrid system era.