UK innovation takes centre stage
UK engines took centre stage again at the International Engine of the Year Awards 2015 and further demonstrated that the UK continues to be a leading developer and manufacturer of low-carbon propulsion technology.
Out of the twelve awards up for grabs, UK designed and manufactured engines came out top in five of the categories. The engines were adjudicated by a panel of over 80 automotive journalists from across the globe and were scored based on fuel economy, smoothness, performance, noise and driveability.
The BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid engine was one of the stars of the show. Manufactured in BMW’s Hams Hall facility and specifically designed to power the new hybrid BMW i8, the engine picked up awards in three categories including the prestigious “International Engine of the Year Award”.
The 1-litre Ford EcoBoost engine developed in the UK continues to win acclaim as for the fourth consecutive year, the three-cylinder engine was named “Best Engine Under 1-litre”.
Other UK success stories which exemplify the UK’s manufacturing diversity include the McLaren 3.8 twin-turbo V8 which was named the “Best 3-litre – 4-litre Engine”. Developed and manufactured in the UK, the McLaren 3.8 twin-turbo V8 powers the high performance McLaren’s 650S.
Here is a summary of the 2015 awards:
International Engine of the Year Award: BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid
Sub 1-litre: Ford EcoBoost 999cc three-cylinder turbo
1.4-litre – 1.8-litre: BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid
3-litre – 4-litre: McLaren 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
New Engine: BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid”
These results set the stage for the UK’s potential future projects. The APC is welcoming applications wishing to apply for the current grant funding competition with up to £60 million currently available to support low carbon advanced propulsion projects worth more than £120 million.
The competition which opened on the 5th May and runs until the end of June is called ‘APC4 Driving UK Capability and Economic Impact through Low Carbon Propulsion Technologies’ for projects which are collaborative and business-led and include a vehicle manufacturer or a tier 1 supplier and an SME partner. They must also develop the UK’s supply chain in the field of low carbon vehicle propulsion technology. The competition will fund the development of on-vehicle technologies for either on-road or off-highway vehicles.
Consortia must have a clear, demonstrable route to production, and line of sight to market, involving at least one vehicle manufacturer and/or a tier 1 supplier and at least one SME partner.