Ward's Auto declares Ten Best Engines of 2009

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:33:00 EST

Ward's Auto has released its annual list of Ten Best Engines for the new year, and our first assessment is that it's just as interesting for what isn't present as for what is. First of all, let's get the official list out of the way:

Audi AG: 2.0L TFSI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (A4 Avant)
BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (135i Coupe)
BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (335d)
Chrysler LLC: 5.7L Hemi OHV V-8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T)
Ford Motor Co.: 2.5L DOHC I-4 HEV (Escape Hybrid)
General Motors Corp.: 3.6L DOHC V-6 (Cadillac CTS)
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe)
Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.: 4.6L DOHC V-8 (Genesis)
Toyota Motor Corp.: 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)
Volkswagen AG: 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Jetta TDI)

Take a good look. Nissan's ubiquitous VQ, which up to this point, was the only engine series that had made Ward's Ten Best ever since the list's inception in 1995, is conspicuously absent. That's a big deal. We also note a couple of turbodiesel engines, one in BMW's favored inline-six configuration and one that powers VW's Jetta TDI. Ford's updated 2.5L hybrid four cylinder is also recognized, rounding out this year's trio of green powerplants. We also note that there's only one American V8 engine, the redesigned HEMI from Chrysler. More snubs? How'd they miss the amazing powerplants that sit under the hoods of the Corvette ZR1 and the Nissan GT-R? Update: Thanks goes to our commentators, who point out that the ZR1 and GT-R are too expensive to make the list.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

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More info on Nissan's next-gen VQ-Series V6

Alex Nunez — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:50:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Japan, Technology, Infiniti, Nissan

Nissan has revealed details about its next-gen V6 engines, which will first appear in the 2007 Nissan Skyline / Infiniti G35.

The 3.5L VQ35HR and 2.5L VQ25HR feature new blocks and a host of new key components. The highlights of the engines' improvements are a 7,500 RPM redline (up from 6,600 on the previous-gen VQ), a 10% increase in fuel economy, and a SULEV emissions rating.

The VQ35HR (pictured at right), as applied in the '07 G35, will be good for over 300 horsepower, but Nissan has yet to divulge an exact number. In Japan, the '07 Nissan Skyline will be available with both the 2.5L and 3.5L engines, as was previously the case. The last-gen VQ25 made 210 horsepower -- a number that will undoubtedly go up with the introduction of the VQ25HR. There are currently no known plans to use the 2.5L V6 in North America.

Key specs of the new VQs are listed in the press release after the jump, and Nissan also released audio of what the VQ35HR sounds like, which you can stream by clicking here.

The release of the details surrounding the new powerplants has prompted enthusiastic discussion over at the FreshAlloy.com forums, where Nissan/Infiniti fans have also posted some X-Ray-type shots of the 2007 G35/Skyline's new intake and exhaust systems.

Thanks Jason for the tip!

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Nissan via FreshAlloy.com forums]

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