[BMW_TT]

The 2008 winners are:


• Audi AG: FSI 2.0L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3)
• BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i Coupe)
• Daimler AG: 3.0L DOHC V-6 Turbodiesel (Mercedes E320 CDI)
• Ford Motor Co.: 4.6L SOHC V-8 (Mustang Shelby GT/Bullitt)
• General Motors Corp.: 3.6L DOHC V-6 (Cadillac CTS)
• General Motors Corp.: 6.0L OHV V-8 Hybrid (GMC Yukon Hybrid)
• Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe)
• Mazda Motor Corp.: 2.3L DISI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mazdaspeed3)
• Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.7L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G37)
• Toyota Motor Corp.: 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)

"The auto industry is in an era that will force enormous powertrain engineering advances," said Bill Visnic, Ward's editor for technical and special projects. "New fuel-efficiency standards are on the horizon, an improvement the public seems to demand. The fact that more than half of this year's 'Ten Best Engines' winners are six cylinder engines mirrors the shift occurring in the market and on engineering drawing boards."

This year, six Ward's editors nominated 37 engines for the competition. Over two months, editors scored each engine against all others in a number of objective and subjective parameters. Each engine must be available in a regular-production, U.S.-specification model on sale no later than the first quarter of 2008 in a vehicle priced no more than $54,000, a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

Ward's Automotive Group, a Southfield, Mich.-based division of Penton Media, has been a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis for more than 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals globally. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis Ward's produces. Other Ward's titles include: the weekly newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, monthly magazine Ward's Dealer Business, and a wealth of reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports.

[ChineseGuy]

wasn't the lexus and audi's engine built last year?

so shouldn't it be on the 2007 list instead?

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by ChineseGuy

wasn't the lexus and audi's engine built last year?

so shouldn't it be on the 2007 list instead?

Doesn't matter when they were built. This isn't a new engine list, it is a best list irregardless of age. Nissan's VQ series has been on that list for about 12 years straight.

[Year's_End]

Not to sound ignorant or anything, but seriously, what maks the VQ's so great? I've driven about 120 miles in my friend's 2007 facelifted 350Z, and it was nice, but I don't know if it should've been on the list for 12 years. Kinda sounded like a coffee grinder on the inside. I've also driven a G37 and found it nice, but it's still rough. I just find it a little on the harsh side.

I'm sure there's a reason for its greatness I just don't know what it is.

[EJ2000]

Well, the current VQ (VQ37VHR) is the third most powerful naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine ever produced...

VVEL is a huge leap forward for Nissan (much like valvetronic with double vanos), and greatly improves fuel economy and torque with an extremely linear power delivery (facets which are even more impressive considering the jump from 3.5 to 3.7L).

While it's your opinion not to like the exhaust of the 350Z, I find it perfectly fitting for it's sporty demeanor. Also, I find the exhaust from the G37 to be very pleasant and unique. However, I doubt they would rate exhaust note in their tests.

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by Jaws

irregardless

Is that like the opposite of regardless?

[Couch]

Wonder what's special about the Ford 4.6L? It's still one of the most over-rated (in terms of HP) engines. They need to bring back the 5.0.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by Couch

Wonder what's special about the Ford 4.6L? It's still one of the most over-rated (in terms of HP) engines. They need to bring back the 5.0.

4.9

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

Is that like the opposite of regardless?

My mistake. "Regardless". Happy now?

[Nyulak]

The 4.6 L from Ford is smooth and provides nice power. It appears to get outclassed by V6 engines these days, but it is a nice engine. It is also very modifiable with plenty of applications in the tuner market, which probably has no bearing on the list. Ford even has a 5 L version that produces 450 HP, but it's only available in their racing catalog.

The 3-valve version is the same size as the 2-valve, so many fitment issues that would occur from going to a wider 4-valve cylinder head have been avoided. It has been engineered to minimize NVH and fits a variety of applications. If you really look at it, it seems to be more suited to truck applications due to its power curve. Ford likes to go for the wow for the first 3k RPM with their V8s, since it would appear most people test driving the car only drive around in the city where step off from a stop is emphasized.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by EJ2000

Well, the current VQ (VQ37VHR) is the third most powerful naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine ever produced...

VVEL is a huge leap forward for Nissan (much like valvetronic with double vanos), and greatly improves fuel economy and torque with an extremely linear power delivery (facets which are even more impressive considering the jump from 3.5 to 3.7L).

While it's your opinion not to like the exhaust of the 350Z, I find it perfectly fitting for it's sporty demeanor. Also, I find the exhaust from the G37 to be very pleasant and unique. However, I doubt they would rate exhaust note in their tests.

Those are good points. When I said I didn't like the noise I was referring to the engine noise, not the exhaust. I love the exhaust from those cars, possibly more than the one the N52/4 makes.