The unit, which won the overall Awards’ title for the first time last year, delivers almost 180bhp despite its small capacity, thanks to the intelligent use of both a turbocharger and a supercharger. The engine is now a popular choice for customers across much of the VW model range, including the Golf, Scirocco, Eos and Tiguan ranges; it is also found in the Seat Ibiza Cupra derivative.

Dean Slavnich, editor of organizing magazine Engine Technology International and co-chair of the 72-strong international judging panel of esteemed motoring journalists, said: 'It is a fantastic achievement for VW to have won the award for a second consecutive year, and it demonstrates that engine downsizing is very much here to stay. We’ve seen more new engines launched into the market than ever before in the Awards’ history, and the vast majority of them were below 1.8 litre. That VW’s clever 1.4-litres Twincharger is still proclaimed by the judges as the best engine on sale in the world today demonstrates the class of this highly refined trend setter.'

Of the 66 new engines to come to market over the past year, it was Fiat’s 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine that impressed the judging panel the most, the unit being named New Engine of the Year 2010. The powerplant uses an extremely advanced valvetrain to boost performance and yet save fuel and is currently used to great effect in the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta ranges.