European car manufacturers won nine out of 12 categories of the International Engine of the Year Awards 2001.

BMW took five of the wins with points awarded by a panel of automotive journalists on the basis of efficiency, refinement, environment and performance. Honda was the sole non-EC winner, collecting honours for its Insight hybrid unit, and another for the S2000's 2.0-litre VTEC engine.

Volkswagen's 1.4-litre TDi topped the 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre category, and PSA's 2.2-litre HDi common rail diesel took first place in the 2.0-litre to 2.5-litre class. The judges voted Saab's variable compression engine (SVC) the winner of the Best Concept category, beating Mercedes-Benz's Necar 5 fuel cell vehicle.

Top gong - the International Engine of the Year - was carried off by the 343bhp 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol engine offered in BMW's M3, M Coupe and M Roadster models. The German manufacturer also won awards for its 1.8-litre Valvetronic, new 3.0-litre 231bhp petrol unit, the M3's engine and its 4.0-litre diesel.