Yamaha Motor Co’s flagship supersport model YZF-R1 and its smartphone application ‘Rev Translator’, which deciphers engine sound, have received the ‘iF design award 2016’ – one of the most prestigious design prizes - in the product category and the communication category respectively.

The 1000cc YZF-R1 supersport model has been completely redesigned with a new focus primarily on riding on a racetrack. It features a new high-performance engine, electronic control systems employing a six-axis attitude sensor unit and a chassis using magnesium and aluminium parts throughout, all combining to achieve an incredible level of performance. The exterior design has improved aerodynamics and also adds new individuality to the model's appearance.

This is the third year running that Yamaha has received this award in the product category, and for the first time for the communication category.

The new flagship supersport YZF-R1 model was developed allowing riders to experience the technical concepts of a MotoGP YZR-M1 machine, and comes equipped with the potential for a circuit-level top speed. The design, in addition to projecting the image of a YZR-M1 MotoGP machine, is a new innovation of the Speed Racer concept and has built a new strand of R-DNA.

Rev Translator is the first smartphone application in the world to translate the sound of an engine. The translator has six different personalities and offers over 100 million lines of dialogue. Rev Translator will reveal its mood based on the engine sound it hears and its comments can also vary depending on the time of day and the weather.

The ‘iF design awards’ have been awarded since 1953 by the international design promotion organization Industries Forum Design Hanover (iF), based in Hanover, Germany. Every year, superior designs are selected from industrial products etc. from around the world.

For 2016, there were 5,295 entries by 2,458 participants from 53 countries which were scrutinised by a 58 member-strong jury comprised of international experts. Of these, 1,821 entries in the disciplines of product design, communication design, packaging design, service design, professional concepts and architecture and interior architecture have been recognised with the iF label and 75 entries were honored with the coveted iF gold award. The iF design award night will take place on February 26 at BMW Welt in Munich.