Hybrids And EVs Fail To Make The Cut In 2013 Ward's 10 Best Engines List

From a sophisticated bread-and-butter 4-cyl. to the world’s most powerful production V-8,

the winners of the 2013 Ward’s 10 Best Engines awards stand as a tribute to internal combustion while auto makers wrestle with fuel-economy standards requiring a growing number of zero-emissions electric vehicles in the future.

Meanwhile, gasoline-fueled engines become more efficient and power-dense every year, and the majority of winners (five) for the second year in a row are 4-cyl. engines.

The transformation within the powertrain community has been rapid as engineering teams now slather attention on downsized engines. As recently as 2005, not a single 4-banger was honored.

This year’s winners:

• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S5)
• 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (BMW 328i)
• 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 135is coupe)
• 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Ram 1500)
• 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 (Ford Focus ST/Taurus)
• 5.8L Supercharged DOHC V-8 (Ford Shelby GT500)
• 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Cadillac ATS)
• 2.4L DOHC I-4 (Honda Accord Sport)
• 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Honda Accord)
• 2.0L FA DOHC H-4 Boxer (Subaru BRZ)

pcar4evr - 12/13/2012 2:11:05 PM

+2 Boost

I think you are technically correct. EV's have a motor, but not an engine. BTW, the local Tesla dealer had on display a S Performance version with the body removed. It's is amazingly uncomplicated, compared to a conventional automobile.

Agent009 - 12/13/2012 2:20:06 PM

-1 Boost

I think Ward's sees the writing on the wall about EVs but is still holding out for now.

MrEE - 12/14/2012 7:58:49 AM

+1 Boost

Still behind the times and need to more relevant to the industry. I think today's list is less relevant than they were ten years back. They need to segment categories to force them to consider more than power output. Given the current and future focus on economy they should have a least one EV, one hybrid, two or three >30 mpg city, and only two performance. Another useful segmentation would be end vehicle cost. Keep half from <$30k or more in line with the market.

LJ745 - 12/14/2012 10:14:53 AM

+1 Boost

Hilarious that pcar4evr called the Tesla "uncomplicated." If it is so uncomplicated, why can't they manufacture batteries that don't brick if they discharge too far, why can't they produce the car for a reasonable price, why is it that the claimed mileage is so much higher than the actual mileage. There is nothing simple about a Tesla, it just LOOKS simple because it is electronic and has fewer mechanical parts. In terms of complexity of design and concept, the Tesla is orders of magnitude above the conventional automobile.

LJ745 - 12/14/2012 10:16:53 AM

-1 Boost

To the rest of you. If you understood anything about technology and physics, you would know that the ICE isn't going anywhere for a long time. It will change, undergo modification, become more efficient, and be hybridized. However, it will be at least 50 years before any major shift in the industry takes place. There will always be cool cars like the Tesla, but even the Prius really isn't all that advanced, different, or environmentally friendly (in fact it may do more harm than good). Quality ICE design is still important for the foreseeable future.

800over - 12/14/2012 11:52:49 AM

+1 Boost

I always love the "Prius isn't environmentally friendly" red herring. Why don't you tell me the old "Hummer is better than Prius for the enviromnent" hoax.