For the fifth year running, a Ferrari engine has triumphed in two categories at the prestigious International Engine of the Year Awards – Performance Engine of the Year and the Above 4-liter Class. The winner on this occasion is the naturally-aspirated 4.5-liter V8 engine that equips the 458 Italia and 458 Spider in its most powerful guise for the 458 Speciale and Speciale A.

The V8 won both awards in 2011 and 2012. That success was repeated in 2014 and 2015. Its unmatched run of victories has only been interrupted by the naturally-aspirated 740-hp 6.2-liter V12 equipping the critically acclaimed Ferrari F12berlietta, which took the same accolades in 2013 with the V8 coming in second place.

The jury for the awards is made up of a panel of motoring journalists from 31 nations who judge each shortlisted engine using their subjective driving impressions and technical knowledge, taking into account characteristics such as fuel economy, smoothness, performance, sound and drivability.

Ferrari’s V8 reached the pinnacle of development in the 458 Speciale and the limited-series edition Speciale A, where the naturally-aspirated 4.5 liter develops 605 hp at 9000 rpm.