Motor Trend: International Engine of the Year Award Winners

Mazda RENESIS Rotary

Mazda has done Felix Wankel proud - the Japanese car maker has developed Wankel's rotary engine concept to International Engine of the Year Awards 2003 success. The stunning RX-8's RENESIS Rotary being named not only the Best New Engine of 2003 and the Best 2.5-liter to 3-liter, but it also claimed the most prestigious title, the International Engine of the Year 2003.

The trophies - Mazda's first ever triumphs in the International Engine of the Year Awards - were awarded by 50 of the world's leading motoring journalists from 22 countries, including Motor Trend's Jeff Bartlett.

Judges praised Mazda for, "its sheer bravery in pursuing the Wankel format and making it work", calling the RX-8's RENESIS Rotary, "smooth and strong, clean and compact." The engine already meets the forthcoming 2005 EURO IV emissions requirements, yet delivers up to 240bhp.

But Mazda wasn't the only Japanese winner: Honda's efforts clearly impress, the world's most prolific engine builder winning four of the 12 categories, three of them with its emerging hybrid technology.

It's been a good year for the German car makers, too. BMW added a further three International Engine of the Year Awards trophies to its display cabinet, topping the 1.4-liter to 1.8-liter, 2-liter to 2.5-liter, and 3-liter to 4-liter classes, while Volkswagen's monster 5-liter V10 diesel engine took the Above 4-liter Award, winning several votes from the typically anti-diesel North Americans. German honor was further upheld by Mercedes: the brand, which has always been forced to watch arch-rival BMW take the glory, finally tasted success - its AMG 55 unit has been hailed as the Best Performance Engine.

International Engine of the Year Awards
Winner shown for each category.

Best New Engine 2003
Mazda RENESIS Rotary (RX-8)

Best Fuel Economy
Honda 1.3-liter IMA (Civic Hybrid)

Best Performance Engine
Mercedes-AMG 55 V8 (E55, SL55, S55, CL55)

Sub 1-liter
Honda 1-liter IMA (Insight)

1-liter to 1.4-liter
Honda 1.3-liter IMA (Civic Hybrid)

1.4-liter to 1.8-liter
Mini Supercharged 1.6-liter (Cooper S)

1.8-liter to 2-liter
Honda 2-liter (S2000)

2-liter to 2.5-liter
BMW 2.5-liter (325i, 525i, Z4)

2.5-liter to 3-liter
Mazda RENESIS Rotary (RX-8)

3-liter to 4-liter
BMW 3.2-liter (M3)

Above 4-liter
Volkswagen Diesel 5-liter V10 (Touareg/Phaeton)

International Engine of the Year 2003
Mazda RENESIS Rotary (RX-8)