Tides Of Change? Japanese Almost Shut Out Of 2011 Top Engine Of The Year Awards

Tides Of Change? Japanese Almost Shut Out Of 2011 Top Engine Of The Year Awards
The auto industry is embracing the age of electrification, and so too is the Ward’s 10 Best Engines list.

Both the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle and Chevrolet Volt extended-range EV earn their way onto the 2011 list, as selected by Ward’s editors after evaluating 38 vehicles with new or significantly improved engines for the ’11 model year.

But fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness are not the most important criteria for eligibility this year, as seen by recognition of the new 5.0L V-8 in the Ford Mustang GT, 5.0L V-8 in the Hyundai Genesis and the 3.0L supercharged V-6 in the Audi S4.

“We have something for everybody on this year’s Ward’s 10 Best Engines list,” says Drew Winter, editor-in-chief of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. “It’s the most diverse mix we’ve ever had, as well as the most technologically advanced.”

This year’s winners and the applications tested:

    * 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
    * 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i)
    * 1.6L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mini Cooper S)
    * 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Dodge Avenger)
    * 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)
    * 1.4L DOHC I-4/111kW Drive Motor (Chevrolet Volt)
    * 5.0L Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
    * 80kW AC Synchronous Electric Motor (Nissan Leaf)
    * 2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta TDI)
    * 3.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (Volvo S60)

Now in its 17th year, the Ward’s 10 Best Engines competition is designed to recognize powertrains that set new benchmarks in their respective vehicle segments.

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LexSucksLexSucks - 12/7/2010 1:28:10 PM
+1 Boost
"Japanese Almost Shut Out Of 2011 Top Engine Of The Year Awards"

- Not surprised.


Agent009Agent009 - 12/7/2010 2:03:29 PM
-6 Boost
If it wasn't for the Leaf they may very well have been shut out.

What has happened to their leading edge technology? 5 years ago they were at the top of the heap.


thstonethstone - 12/7/2010 2:39:07 PM
+1 Boost
I'd have put the Volt powertrain at the top. GM moved the state of the industry quite a ways forward in terms of technology.

I am far from a fan of GM, but credit is due where credit is due.


Designer1Designer1 - 12/7/2010 2:59:01 PM
+1 Boost
I believe they made a mistake with the title. It should read Top 10 worst engines!


JustaCarJustaCar - 12/7/2010 3:04:23 PM
-10 Boost
Why is this a surprise? When I think of Japanese cars, "great engines" is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind.


LexusLexus - 12/7/2010 4:13:20 PM
0 Boost
This list laughable, what happen to Nissan VQ engine? It should've been up on the list. I guess the Japanese did NOT fork out enough money so they're not on the list.


LexSucksLexSucks - 12/7/2010 4:25:05 PM
+3 Boost
The VQ engine isn't on that list because it doesn't deserve to be on the list. As far as the Japanese not forking over enough cash? Hyundai made the list. What's up with that?

The point is simple. Just because your favorites aren't on the list doesn't make the list "laughable". Give me a break!


LexSucksLexSucks - 12/7/2010 4:28:21 PM
+1 Boost
Hyundai is Korean oops. Sorry. But that makes sence. The koreans seem to be more focused on making nice cars first and then profits. instead of the other way around like the japanese.


JustaCarJustaCar - 12/7/2010 5:23:48 PM
+1 Boost
The VQ engine? You mean the rough unrefined VQ engine?


WillisWillis - 12/7/2010 6:07:03 PM
+2 Boost
The VQ used to be good - until Nissan decided to stop updating and perfecting it relying instead on engine capacity increases AT THE COST OF REFINEMENT. Sure, it's power, but the refinement blows. A few months ago I tried a colleague's G37 sedan and the engine smoothness was downright awful compared to past renditions.

Also, who cares if some engines didn't make this list? Ward's has judges who have biases and subjective opinions like everybody else. There are tons of great engines that didn't make the list. It's not the end of the world and it won't stop certain cars from selling in doves whose engines weren't selected. Big deal.


Agent009Agent009 - 12/7/2010 6:31:38 PM
+2 Boost
The VQ was over rated. A one shot wonder that ONLY increased HP each year or two by raising displacement or tweaking the RPM by 500 revs. It actually get less efficient over the years.

Audi took the 1.8T and went from 150HP to 225HP and improved mileage each year. The VQ just got fatter with no progress in economy.


kablaamkablaam - 12/8/2010 9:44:49 AM
+1 Boost
I had a 95 max which had a VQ engine. 190 HP. Current VQ is 330 HP(G37). Pretty good progress IMO

I think it didn't make the list because it spent its load. It is a great engine, but its time has come.


RectifierRectifier - 12/7/2010 6:59:55 PM
-3 Boost
So, whats the criteria behind those choices?

If its efficiency - where is the Prius engine? Together with the Hybrid Synergy Drive, the 2ZR-FXE certainly is THE most efficient gas engine nowadays. Not to mension the one with lowest emissions.

Then, seeing the BMWs N55 which seems to be plagued with the same chronical fuel delivery system problems as its predecessor N54, how is this engine better than, say, 3GR-FE from Lexus IS350 which seems to have about the same power, slighly less torque, but instant responce instead of the laggy FI and way, I mean waaay better reliability. Not to mension direct AND port injection. Same fuel economy too.

Sorry guys, this choice just doesnt make much sense.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 12/7/2010 7:57:54 PM
+3 Boost
Tuning an engine strictly toward fuel economy doesn't mean it's more technologically advanced. The prius's engine gets it's mileage because it sacrifices a lot of its performance (which is why it only gets 54.5 hp/liter) heck it doesn't even have direct injection. So how on earth is it technologically advanced?


RectifierRectifier - 12/7/2010 8:52:13 PM
-3 Boost
Well, may be there is a reson why Prius doesnt have DI?

Lets see.. Prius is tuned towards low emissions, not even best fuel economy. This is why it does not and will not use the "technologically advanced" DI. DI increases soot emissions significantly while gaining about 3-5% better fuel economy. Instead, Prius engine uses (would you call it "technologically outdated"?) valve timings that simulate Atkinson cycle - low compresion / high expansion ratios which contributes to 10-15% better fuel economy while retaining the extremely low soot emissions.
It seems that sometimes one can do better than just being "technologically advanced".


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 12/7/2010 9:51:28 PM
+1 Boost
so you agree? The prius has less to do with being technologically advanced. And more to do with having different goals in mind when tuning it. As far as this award goes, it does not go to the person who makes the most power, the best fuel economy, or the fewest emissions. Those aren't the criteria. The criteria is solely based on innovation and technology.


RectifierRectifier - 12/8/2010 11:58:26 AM
+6 Boost
No, sorry, cant agree that Atkinson cylce ICE + HSD is less technologically advanced than DI + FI or whatever. No engineer with a sane mind would agree too, especially given the emissions and FE.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 12/8/2010 1:17:47 PM
+2 Boost
What is technologically advanced about different tuning parameters? nothing!


uaw_laxuaw_lax - 12/8/2010 2:29:51 AM
+1 Boost
why is there not a second list for electric motors?


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