UNITED KINGDOM, June 1, 2005 - The 1.0 liter Insight IMA engine and the 2.2 i-CTDi won their respective size categories in the International Engine of the Year Awards 2005, presented by UKIP Media and Events Automotive Magazines. This is the 10th award for the 1.0 liter Insight IMA engine, which continues to make it the most successful engine since the awards started seven years ago. Judges give this engine the utmost praise with quotes like “Still the one they have to catch in the economy stakes.” Its clean sweep of the sub 1-liter category for six straight years in itself is a testament to the superior efficiency of this hybrid powertrain.
FR-V
For the first time, the Honda diesel engine, 2.2 i-CTDi (found in the Accord saloon and Tourer, the CR-V and now the FR-V) has won its category award, 2.0 – 2.5 liter. The engine, which is the first ever Honda diesel, is recognized as being one of the most all round fuel efficient and silent diesel engines found on the market today. “Power, economy, sound – everything puts this diesel at the top of four-cylinder engines” are some words that the International Jury have used in describing this engine.
Honda is once again recognized as being amongst the best engine manufacturers in the world, winning 21 out of 84 possible awards in the seven year history of this annual ceremony. The judges are made up of 56 leading motoring journalists from 26 different countries. Engines are awarded points based on their characteristics of fuel economy, noise, smoothness, performance and driveability.
| Award | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
| Best Fuel Economy | Insight IMA 1.0 |
Insight IMA 1.0 |
Insight IMA 1.0 |
Civic IMA 1.3 |
– | – |
| Sub 1-liter | Insight IMA 1.0 |
Insight IMA 1.0 |
Insight IMA 1.0 |
Insight IMA 1.0 |
Insight IMA 1.0 |
Insight IMA 1.0 |
| 1.0 – 1.4 liter | – | – | Civic IMA 1.3 |
Civic IMA 1.3 |
Civic IMA 1.3 |
– |
| 1.4 – 1.8 liter | Accord 1.8 |
– | – | – | – | – |
| 1.8 – 2.0 liter | Honda S2000 2.0 |
Honda S2000 2.0 |
Honda S2000 2.0 |
Honda S2000 2.0 |
Honda S2000 2.0 |
– |
| 2.0 – 2.5 liter | – | – | – | – | – | Honda 2.2 i-CTDi |
| Engine of the Year | Insight IMA 1.0 |
– | – | – | – | – |
Judges Quotes
Sub 1-liter: Honda Hybrid 1-liter IMA (Insight (68bhp))
“The company has shown determination to win the mileage championship with this unique powertrain”
Jack Yamaguchi, Freelance
“The Honda IMA gets top points for its hybrid technology”
Arturo de Andrés, Automóvil
“Still the one they have to catch in the economy stakes”
Padraic Deane, Automotive Publications and Motorshow Car Buyers Guide
“Still damn impressive fuel economy in a very driveable and even kind of fun package.”
Van Tune, ESPN Road Trip
2-liter to 2.5-liter: Honda Diesel 2.2 i-CTDi (Accord, CR-V, FR-V (103bhp))
“Driving it was a sensible experience, free of drama, full of practical tendencies and fresh technology”
Matt Davis, Freelance
“Power, economy, sound – everything puts this diesel at the top of four-cylinder engines.”
Tomaz Porekar, Avto Foto Market
“Smooth, powerful, torquey and economical – in every way a Honda.”
Jack Yamaguchi, Freelance
“The Japanese aren’t famed for their love of diesel engines, but they sure can engineer a great one!”
Graham Johnson, UKIP Media & Events Automotive Magazines
“Highly refined and following the company’s proud engine heritage – it has the same star quality that oozes through the range”
Padraic Deane, Automotive Publications and Motorshow Car Buyers Guide