IWOC Motoring News

Thursday 27th May 2004

Honda continues to excel in "Engine Oscars"

Two Honda engines have achieved the unique feat of winning awards every year for which the International Engine of the Year Awards have been held. 2004 is the fifth consecutive year that the 2.0 litre Honda S2000 and 1.0 litre Insight IMA engines win their respective size categories. - while the IMA system found in the Civic picks up the award in the 1.0 to 1.4 litre category for the third year in a row.

This is the 9th award for the 1.0 litre Insight IMA engine which makes it the most successful engine since the awards started. With nearly twice as many points as the second placed engine in this category, judges continue to give this engine the utmost praise with quotes like "...sophisticated engineering shines out..." and "...smart, high tech engine with stellar economy."

The Honda S2000 2.0 litre engine continues to outperform all of its class competitors and words like immortal, absolute legend and phenomenal specific output are used by the judges to describe this engine.

Ever since the IMA system has been incorporated into the roomy Civic 4 door, the overall package continues to dominate its class of 1.0 to 1.4 litre engines. Since its launch in 2002, over 40,000 Civic IMA have been sold globally.

Honda is once again recognised as being amongst the best engine manufacturers in the world winning 19 out of 72 possible awards in the 6 year history of this annual ceremony. The judges are made up of 56 leading motoring journalists from 24 different countries. Engines are awarded points based on their characteristics of fuel economy, noise, smoothness, performance and driveability.

HEADING FOR EURO 2004 THIS SUMMER?
Don't forget to keep your insurer onside says Hyperformance

Football fans in the grip of Euro 2004 fever and planning to drive to Portugal this summer for the big event should not risk scoring a spectacular own goal and potentially ruin the experience by forgetting to get their car cover in order before they kick off.

Hyperformance, the leading motor insurance specialists, says a quick call to your insurer now can stop your trip turning into an off-the-park nightmare in the event of an accident whilst abroad.

You'll have more than enough excitement once the action starts.

UK car insurance cover isn't always matched when driving abroad, so it's important to know where you stand and do what's necessary to get the paperwork in order now.

Some drivers with comprehensive cover may be entitled to a free extension that provides the same cover abroad, albeit for a limited period of time. Others will find that that their foreign cover only extends to third party, which may not be enough to avoid some big bills and a lot of disruption.

Either way, you won't be able to plan with confidence until you know the facts, can weigh up the options and make a game plan: a small outlay now could save a great deal of expense later

"It makes sense to find out exactly what cover you have when driving abroad," says Steve McPherson, Sales Director at Hyperformance, part of the Allen and Allen Group of insurance intermediaries.

"In many cases a quick phone call to your insurer or broker can clarify the position and often any changes in your policy's cover that may need to be made can be done almost immediately. But the call should be made in plenty of time and certainly before you set off so the documentation can be processed and in your possession.

It's a relatively straightforward process and one less thing to worry about when the time comes. And when you get to Portugal, England's performance on the field is sure to provide all the thrills and spills you really want," he adds.

Greens have it their own way

Toyota Prius' hybrid engine takes home a record four trophies in one year,
including the overall title of International Engine of the Year 2004

STUTTGART - Toyota makes the world's most outstanding engine - and it's gained the accolade with a hybrid powertrain!

The 1.5-litre internal combustion engine/electric motor combo as housed in the Prius family car has been voted International Engine of the Year 2004. This advanced Toyota powerplant also scooped the prizes for the Best New Engine of 2004, Best Fuel Economy Engine, and Best 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre.

The sixth-annual International Engine of the Year Awards' results were decided by a jury comprising 56 of the most read and experienced motoring journalists from 24 countries - this year judges from China and Egypt were added to a mix that already includes the USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Argentina, and South Korea. Members of the judging panel represent globally recognised media such as the USA's Car and Driver and Playboy magazines, as well as the UK's Car magazine and Australia's Wheels. These judges labelled the Toyota Prius Hybrid, "a truly remarkable engine", and said it "raises the hybrid bar with a combination of better driveability, more technology, and more eco-friendliness".

But Toyota wasn't the only triumphant Japanese firm: Mazda, winner of last year's International Engine of the Year title, saw its RX-8's RENESIS Rotary unit top its category, while Honda took home three trophies; one each for its Insight hybrid, Civic hybrid and the 2-litre found in the S2000.

Elsewhere in this closely fought competition, BMW won Best 2-litre to 2.5-litre, and Best 3-litre to
4-litre categories (see overleaf for more). These victories mean the Bavarian company has held on to its position as the most successful car maker in the Awards' six-year history, with 20 trophies - Honda, the world's most prolific engine builder, has won 19.

Fellow German marques, Volkswagen and Mercedes-AMG, also had reason to celebrate. VW's 5-litre V10 diesel was voted the best Above 4-litre unit for a second consecutive year, while Mercedes-AMG's 65 has been named the world's greatest performance engine, beating the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2004 - the Results

Best New Engine of 2004
Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)

Best Fuel Economy
Honda 1.3-litre IMA (Civic)

Best Performance Engine
Mercedes-AMG 65 V12 (S65, CL65)

Sub 1-litre
Honda 1-litre IMA (Insight)

1-litre to 1.4-litre
Honda 1.3-litre IMA (Civic)

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre
Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)

1.8-litre to 2-litre
Honda 2-litre (S2000)

2-litre to 2.5-litre
BMW 2.5-litre (325i, X3, 525i, Z4)

2.5-litre to 3-litre
Mazda RENESIS Rotary (RX-8)

3-litre to 4-litre
BMW 3.2-litre (M3)

Above 4-litre
Volkswagen Diesel 5-litre V10 (Touareg/Phaeton)

And...

International Engine of the Year 2004
Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)

DEALER TEAM SUZUKI PREPARES FOR SCOTTISH RALLY

Dealer Team Suzuki is hoping to build on the success in the recent International Rally of Wales as they prepare for the third event on the 2004 Kwik-Fit/Pirelli British Rally Championship calendar, the Scottish Rally on 11/12 June.

Driver Guy Wilks' (Darlington) second place in the Super 1600 class in Wales was enough to secure maximum Super 1600 points, because Super 1600 winner Kris Meeke is not entered in the British Championship. Wilks (23) is now hoping to continue his form in Wales into the Dumfries-based Scottish Rally.

Wilks said: "We were all pleased with the result in Wales and hope we can continue in Scotland. It is important we carry on the good work achieved in Wales in order to stay in contention for the Super 1600 Championship."

Added Wilks: "I've only competed in the Scottish Rally once before. I led the event after the first set of stages, but after a series of problems eventually finished third. I'm hoping for a similar result this time, but without any problems! But the stages in Scotland can be very rough and punctures could decide who comes out on top."

Wilks' co-driver Phil Pugh (Tywyn, Gwynedd) has competed in the Scottish rally four times, but only scored one top ten finish. Pugh (33) said: "I really enjoy the fast and flowing stages on the Scottish Rally and I'm very much looking forward to this year's event. But I'm hoping to improve on my previous results, having retired twice and finished 15th and tenth on the other two occasions."

Dust was a major problem in Wales and Wilks admits it could be a similar hurdle in Scotland. Wilks added: "The dust got into our throats and lungs during the Rally of Wales and also impaired our visibility. But hopefully the team will be able to plug all the holes in the car where it came in and enable us to drive at full pace."

The Scottish Rally starts at 19:30pm on Friday, 11 June in Dumfries and finishes at 18:00pm on Saturday, 12 June, with Friday night's stages taking place to the North of Dumfries and Saturday's stages to the West of Dumfries. Prior to the Scottish Rally Wilks and Pugh will compete in the Acropolis Round of the Junior World Rally Championship in Greece (4-6 June).

COPEN CELEBRATES MOTOR SHOW WITH FREE LEATHER PACK

Daihatsu's cute Copen sportscar is celebrating 'The Sunday Times Motor Show Live' with a free leather pack comprising heated leather seats, leather door trim and a leather Momo steering wheel - collectively worth £500.

"It's our way of thanking the 1,500 visitors to our stand at the last NEC Motor Show who filled in information sheets effectively telling Daihatsu in Japan that the UK had to have this car," said Andrew Edmiston, Managing Director of Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors Limited.

He added: "In fact, so intense was interest in Copen at that show that the factory swiftly started engineering the car through European Whole Vehicle Type Approval. We are naturally delighted with the result as Copen has really captured the imagination of customers and dealers alike."

The original Japanese home-market 'K-Car' has been transformed into an exportable icon, with even Germany and Australia catching Copen fever - the latter entering the car into a race series with considerable success.

On sale since last December, the compact roadster features a Mercedes SLK-like electric folding roof and disarming looks with a teardrop design, oval front and rear lights and minimum front and rear overhangs.

Copen's high equipment level includes: air-conditioning, alloy wheels, anti-lock-brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, power steering, electric windows and door mirrors, remote keyless-entry central-locking and a radio/CD player.

Its well-proven 660 cc turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine powers the car to a 106 mph top speed, gives a sprightly 0-62 mph time of 11.7 seconds and returns 50.4 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle.

Prices start at £13,495 On-The-Road including the free leather pack which is available until the end of September through all participating Daihatsu dealers.

Meanwhile Daihatsu's Stand 5140 in Hall 5 of the 'show' (27 May to 6 June, Birmingham National Exhibition Centre) promises to be especially interesting.

Not only is there a record-breaking petrol/electric concept car giving more than
170 mpg called UFE2 but also several one-off customised cars such as the Copen, Charade and Terios.

Showgoers can also take to the wheel of Daihatsu products - including the Copen - during an innovative 'Taster Test Drive' programme which operates within the grounds of the NEC.