It's the beginning of December, and that means it's time once again for Ward's Auto to release its 10 Best Engines list. The winners for 2007 - the 13th year for the awards - are as follows:
- Audi AG 2L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3)
- BMW AG 3L DOHC I-6 (Z4 3.0si)
- BMW AG 3L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i)
- DaimlerChrysler AG 3L DOHC V-6 turbodiesel (Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec/Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD)
- DaimlerChrysler AG Hemi 5.7L OHV V-8 (Chrysler 300C)
- Ford Motor Co. Duratec 35 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX)
- Ford Motor Co. 4.6L SOHC V-8 (Mustang GT/Mustang Shelby GT)
- Mazda Motor Corp. 2.3L DISI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mazdaspeed3)
- Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G35)
- Toyota Motor Corp. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)
Anyone familiar with this author's preferences will of course know that the lack of any of GM's GenIV pushrod V8s is slightly upsetting, and once again all of the heavy-duty light-truck diesels got snubbed as well. Ford's supercharged 5.4L would, in our opinion, be a shoe-in based upon the big bruiser's industry-leading HP-per-dollar ratio. And on the other end of the practicality spectrum, where are the fuel-sipping engines? These are minor gripes, though; Ward's put together a solid list of engines that we'd certainly be happy to thrash.
A list of previous winners is available at Wikipedia.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
migo @ Dec 7th 2006 9:32AM
the duratech 35 also shows up in the MKZ.
SherbornSean @ Dec 7th 2006 9:32AM
Honda is the world leader in developing and building internal combustion engines. They build the most, and they have the deepest understanding of combustion. This results in a line-up of car engines which are the most efficient in fuel usage, power and emissions reduction.
How Ward's missed that is a puzzle.
rwdmtparkingonly @ Dec 7th 2006 9:37AM
It was actually the port injection supercharged ecotech that got displaced; the 260 hp/ft-lb direct injection turbocharged ecotech really should be somewhere on this list.
Dr. Woo @ Dec 7th 2006 9:43AM
The 2.0TFSI makes it again. As the spiritual successor of the venerable 1.8T, that isn't surprising.
Inspector @ Dec 7th 2006 9:45AM
That the VQ and Ford 4.6 are included and GM's LS-series is not is a confession of Ward's utter intellectual bankruptcy. Anyone who has the slightest clue about engines knows that both the Ford and Nissan mills are LARGER and HEAVIER than the LS2 and LS7, and are down 1 and 200 horsepower, respectively.
Michael Karesh @ Dec 7th 2006 9:48AM
To put something on the list, you've got to take something off.
Of the winners, Ford's new 3.5 is easily the least impressive. Compared to other DOHC 3.5s, it's quite weak in the midrange. The Lexus and Infiniti engines feel far stronger, as do the lesser 3.5s used in Toyotas and Camrys.
A case could also easily be made that GM's OHV V8 is better than the Ford and Chrysler V8s, with more power per liter and better fuel economy.
BMW's and Mercedes' V8s are likely kept off the list because they aren't available in a car under the cap of $54,000. Same for the new Lexus V8.
I agree that Honda's 2.0 (Civic Si) or 2.2 (S2000) should be on the list.
Michael Karesh @ Dec 7th 2006 9:50AM
Change "Camrys" to "Nissans."
On the GM 2.0 turbo, I cannot say whether it belongs on this list as, like most people, I haven't been able to drive a car with it. Now that I think of it, I haven't even seen a supercharged Solstice or SKY, but assume that they're out there, just leaving dealer lots as soon as they arrive.
Michael @ Dec 7th 2006 10:22AM
To Post #2
I should note that Honda is the most fuel effecient brand. That much is true, but what most fail to recongnize, so dont feel so bad, is they also dont have a true fullsize truck or near the range of SUVs that Toyota does. CRV, smaller yet less fuel effecient than the RAV4.
Best knowledge of combustion engines? I dont think so, first they will have to make a 268 hp/248 ft. lbs torque engine that best the Camry's 31mpg.
MTCOTY anyone?
Thor @ Dec 7th 2006 10:36AM
By far the most superior of these 10 is the BLUETEC
The amazing MERCECES 320CDI
almost 400 lbft torque and 6 sec o-60
all in utter luxury and 37 MPG REAL (not that of the silly hybrid hype) MPG highway
and a range of 700 miles.
it is a crying SHAME that this is the ONLY MODERN ADVANCED DIESEL Vehicle on sale ( do not give me these primitive large truck engines the big 3 make, Not Interested) in the US in 07 model year.
Even VW offers no diesels in 07...
Forget all your false ideas about MODERN diesels being like your father's VW Rabbit Diesel or, worse, like the 1980 GM Diesels.
FACT: In EUrope, EVEN BMW sales are 63% DIESEL!!!
craig @ Dec 7th 2006 10:57AM
Where is the motor of the gods? The LSx motors were obviously left off of the list this year since mere mortals cannot possibly handle the power and sophistication.
Still, baby cyborg Jesus sheds a tear that there was no mention of his motor, the LSx.
NCTRNL @ Dec 7th 2006 11:00AM
Just like the article said, it seems pretty ridiculous that the LSx series pushrod V8's from GM aren't on there. I can honestly say that it is one of the strongest and most reliable engines on the market.
Dr. Woo @ Dec 7th 2006 11:21AM
"How Ward's missed that is a puzzle."
Apparently they're really out of it. This is the second year in a row no Honda has made it into the list. Maybe it's because no Honda engines can quite compete? They had to choose ten. Here are the ten.
What's far more surprising to me than the lack of Honda engines is the lack of VW's Twincharged engine which made International Engine of the Year's list.
...actually, now that I read the Wards website, these must be in U.S.-specification vehicles...which is what I suspected, as the TSI is an engineering feat.
(And before someone decides to jump me to inflate their ego with their Internet aggressiveness, yes, I know twincharging has been done, but not to the extent or sophistication that VW has achieved, thankyouverymuch.)
Eric Bryant @ Dec 7th 2006 11:35AM
"do not give me these primitive large truck engines the big 3 make, Not Interested"
Ever driven one? "Primative" is simply not an accurate term for any of those engines. In fact, Ford's new Powerstroke diesel - with its combination of piezo injectors and sequential turbocharging - could fairly be considered one of the most sophisticated light-duty diesels sold in the world.
cmattson @ Dec 7th 2006 11:49AM
FYI to the kool-aid crew: GM's "primative" 5.3l pushrod bests Toyota's "advanced" DOHC 4.7l in HP, torque AND gas mileage.
MikeW @ Dec 7th 2006 12:11PM
Got V6?
Regular production with a $54,000 cap, so no 7.0 corvette engine
Civic Si, come on. Not even 200hp and it has electric power steering.
197hp@7800 & 139ft-lbs@6100. 200hp@7500 & 150ft-lbs@5000 would be far nicer.
The S2000 doesn't have variable valve timing-camshaft phasing. But at least honda redid the camshaft lobe duration, and gearing so you can drive quickly and stay out of VTEC 6-8K rpm.
kevin @ Dec 7th 2006 12:15PM
where's VW/Audi's 6.0L V12 diesel?
too bad the Audi RS4's 4.2L v8 got cut
Steve @ Dec 7th 2006 12:24PM
Is the LS2 or LS7 considered "Green" engines? I can't find any information from Chevy's site what environmental pollution emission rating they get.
Eric Bryant @ Dec 7th 2006 1:04PM
"Regular production with a $54,000 cap, so no 7.0 corvette engine"
While the LS7 is the most spectacular of the GenIV V8s, the LS2 (Vette, GTO, and TrailBlazer SS) and L92 (Yukon Denali) both deserve inclusion IMHO.
Dr. Woo @ Dec 7th 2006 1:27PM
"where's VW/Audi's 6.0L V12 diesel?"
Not in production for North America yet.
"too bad the Audi RS4's 4.2L v8 got cut"
The RS4 costs more than their cap allows. The S4 engine isn't quite as impressive as it used to be, although still supremely capable.
Steve2 @ Dec 7th 2006 1:39PM
Ford's 4.6L OHV V8 gets awful mileage and produces only mediocre power for its weight/volume. It's a travesty this engine can make this list and the LS2 doesn't.
I don't get BMW's 3L straight six either. The used to make the same power from a normally aspirated engine. The turbo adds complexity, weight and cost. Why does that merit inclusion?
I wouldn't have thought of it myself, but GM's 2.0L 260HP EcoTec does seem like a natural for the list. 260HP from an engine much smaller than BMW's 3L and returning better mpg than the NA 2.2L EcoTec (due to direct injection?) seems notable to me.