BMW revs up for another engine prize

BMW has scored back-to-back International Engine of the Year victories for its M5 and M6 power unit. The carmaker says its 5-litre naturally aspirated 375kw (507bhp) V10 embodies the BMW philosophy of high-revving, lightweight power.

The motor backed up its 2005 victory by winning three classes this year: engine of the year, best performance engine, and the award for engines above 4-litres displacement. Completing BMW's domination of the award, the 3.2-litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder M3 engine retained its unbroken record of class victories in the 3-4-litre class.

This 252kW (340bhp) motor has won its class every year for six years since its debut in 2001 and was engine of the year in 2001 as well. No other engine has achieved this feat. BMW also won the 2.5-3-litre category with its 3-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder diesel engine, which delivers 200kW and 560Nm of torque.

Subaru's 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine won the 2-2.5-litre class, the first time a horizontally opposed engine has been chosen. The 2.5-litre motor is used in the Impreza WRX, Forester XT and Impreza WRX STI models in New Zealand.

A panel of 61 journalists from 29 countries served as judges in the competition.

Meanwhile, a rainy-day project that will never see a production line unless it's towed across one, the BMW Mille Miglia Concept Coupe is nonetheless a beautiful piece.

Based on the M Z4 Coupe, the MM Concept is an homage to BMW's 1940 M328 Touring Coupe, which won the 1940 Mille Miglia Italian road race by more than 15 minutes from the second-place car. The Touring Coupe averaged 166.7 km/h - a speed BMW says has never been bettered in the race.