There's a lot that goes in to a new car. And there are awards handed out for many of them. But few (if any) components are as essential as the engine. So if you want to know who makes the best of 'em, look no further than the International Engine of the Year awards, which have just named their best for 2018. Top of the list, it may come as little surprise, is the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 in the Ferrari 488, marking the third year running that the same engine has won the top prize.

Not only did the Prancing Horse marque's turbocharged engine win overall once again, but it also took home trophies in both the 3.0-4.0-liter and Performance Engine categories. As if that wasn't enough, the 488's powerplant was also named the Best of the Best engine made in the last 20 years – a special nomination that could only make the victory that much sweeter for Ferrari. And the 6.5-liter V12 from the 812 Superfast took the 4+liter and New Engine categories too, bringing Maranello's total count in the 20-year history of the awards up to 27 – more than any of its rivals, and proof positive that nobody makes engines better than the boys in red.

Elsewhere, Volkswagen's 999cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine won the sub-liter category. The 1.0-1.4-liter award went to PSA's 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-three found in a wide array of Peugeot, Citroën, DS, and Opel/Vauxhall models. The 1.4-1.8 bracket went to the BMW i8's hybrid triple, and the 1.9-2.0 to the turbo four from the Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman. Audi's 2.5-liter turbo five found in the RS3, TT RS, and RS Q3 took the 2.0-2.5-liter prize, and the 911's turbo boxer six won for 2.5-3.0 liters, while Tesla won in both the Electric and Green categories. The sum total is overwhelming praise for turbocharged engines, which took nine out of the 14 awards given – including the top prize.