Few could argue against the superb qualities of Ferrari's naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V-8 (especially when judged alongside its turbocharged, jimmy-rustling replacement), and now, NA fanboys can point to the 2015 International Engine of the Year Awards as further proof of its excellence.
Picking winners for the annual awards was a panel of motoring journalists from over 30 nations, who judged each shortlisted powerplant on personal driving impressions, technical specifications, fuel economy, smoothness, performance, sound and drivability.
This year, Ferrari's 4.5-liter V-8 took home two awards, including Performance Engine of the Year and best-in-class for the Above 4-liter category.
This isn't the first time the engine has been awarded such accolades – it also won the same two awards in 2011, 2012 and 2014. Interrupting a clean five-year streak was the naturally aspirated, 740-horsepower 6.3-liter V-12 in the 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta, which took home the same two awards in 2013 (the V-8 came in second).
Vittorio Dini, Ferrari's powertrain department head, had this to say: "For our team, winning both these titles for the fourth time is a crowning achievement that testifies to the world-class performance of our naturally aspirated V-8 engine family."
Other winners at this year's awards include Ford's 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder (which won the best-in-class Under-1.0-liter category for the fourth time), Tesla's pure electric powertrain (Best Green Engine), and BMW's turbo 1.5-liter three-cylinder hybrid (Best New Engine, best-in-class 1.4-1.8-liter, and the top-honor International Engine of the Year).
