TOYOTA has won the 1.4-1.8-litre category at this year’s International Engine of the Year Awards ceremony on Struttgart.

The awards are organised by the Engine Technology International magazine. The 189bhp 1.8-litre VVTL-i engine, fitted to Corolla T Sport, Celica 190 and Celica T Sport models, was voted the clear winner by more than 40 senior journalists in the motor industry.

To achieve this award, Toyota beat engines from BMW, Ford and Volkswagen.

In the same category, Toyota took fourth place with its 1.5-litre VVT-i engine fitted in the Prius Hybrid - an indication of how diverse the competition was and how capable Toyota’s engine technology is, be it for performance or ultra low emissions.

Along with its 106bhp per litre output, judges praised the VVTL-i engine for its efficiency, fuel economy (30.4mpg on the combined figure in the Corolla T Sport) and intoxicating engine note when the high speed cams to get to work to 7,800rpm.

The winning VVTL-i engine is based on Toyota’s widely fitted VVT-i unit but also increases intake and exhaust valve lift when the engine speed is above 6,200rpm. This is achieved by the use of a cam changeover system, providing the engine with two power bands.

The judges also praised Toyota for fitting this engine into a derivative of the Corrolla, a good example of democratisation of technology.