Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost wins engine of the year

Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine was named the 2013 International Engine of the Year on Wednesday, marking the second consecutive year it has done so. The engine also took home the highest score in the history of the awards, along with a “Best Engine Under 1.0-liters” category.

The tiny engine packs a respectable punch for its size, producing 123 hp and 148 lb-ft or torque (Specs may be different pending specific model the engine is in).

Currently available only in Europe, the engine is fitted in the Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus and C-Max. Future plans for the engine include a launch into the North American market with the Fiesta later this year. Plans include an entry into the Chinese and Indian markets as well.

Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of global powertrain said, “You have to drive it to believe a small three-cylinder engine can deliver such performance and fuel economy. With a technology as mature as the internal-combustion engine, it's very rare to achieve a true breakthrough.”

The award is determined by 87 automotive journalists from 35 countries, judging based on drivability, performance, economy and refinement.

The engine also won the International Paul Pietcsh Award 2013 for technological innovation, Breakthrough Award from Popular Mechanics and the Dewar Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club in Great Britain.

We applaud the Blue Oval for making an engine small enough to fit in an airplane overhead luggage compartment and with power normally reserved for larger four-cylinder engines. We look forward to testing the Fiesta with this engine later this year.

By Max Gilles