Wards announces "Ten Best Engines" list for 2007
12-13-07, 07:49 AM
#1
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Wards announces "Ten Best Engines" list for 2007
Wards announces "Ten Best Engines" list for 2007
Posted Dec 13th 2007
It's that time of year for all the end of year awards and top ten lists to surface, but Ward's always brings something different to the table. Rather than pick out the best car or truck that was new this year, the automotive trade journal picks the ten best engines, and this year it focused on motors that manage to balance the competing demands of more power and more fuel economy.
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 real question is whether or not you think Ward's got its "Ten Best Engines" list right? What engines are missing, or more importantly, which ones don't deserve to be included?
[Source: Ward's]
Posted Dec 13th 2007
It's that time of year for all the end of year awards and top ten lists to surface, but Ward's always brings something different to the table. Rather than pick out the best car or truck that was new this year, the automotive trade journal picks the ten best engines, and this year it focused on motors that manage to balance the competing demands of more power and more fuel economy.
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 real question is whether or not you think Ward's got its "Ten Best Engines" list right? What engines are missing, or more importantly, which ones don't deserve to be included?
[Source: Ward's]
More pics : http://www.autoblog.com/photos/wards...s/530052/full/
Last edited by Gojirra99; 12-13-07 at 07:52 AM.
12-13-07, 08:27 AM
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I also disagree with the Honda 3.5 on there, why is it? Again, its not as good as the Toyota 3.5. I do think their new 190hp 4 cylinder in the Accord should have made the list instead.
Why is the Mustang engine there? Its no marvel. Its a good engine but not great.
12-13-07, 08:40 AM
#5
Lexus Champion
The Lexus LS460/GS460 4.6 liter V8 should have been on there,
perhaps with the 5.0 liter variant in the forthcoming IS-F.
Fantastic powerplant!
Of course, this is coming from a guy stuffing a 1UZ in a Cobra...
perhaps with the 5.0 liter variant in the forthcoming IS-F.
Fantastic powerplant!
Of course, this is coming from a guy stuffing a 1UZ in a Cobra...
12-13-07, 08:45 AM
#6
Agreed with 1SICKLEX. If I had to come up with a list it would probably be something like:
Audi 4.2L V8 (RS4 and R8)
Audi FSI 2.0L turbo 4cylinder (A3)
BMW 3.0L TT I6 (335i and 535i)
BMW 4.0L V8 (M3)
Lexus 3.5L V6 (IS350 and GS 350)
Honda 2.4L 4cylinder (Accord)
Toyota 5.7L V8 (Tundra, Sequoia, Land Cruiser)
GM 6.0L Hybrid V8 (Yukon and Tahoe)
Toyota 3.5L V6 (Camry and Highlander)
Toyota 1.5L Hybrid 4cylinder (Prius)
I feel like any variant of the VQ almost has to be on the list, regardless of if it is really deserving or not. It's a tradition, but not one that I particularly agree with.
I am also not sure if I agree with Cadillac's placement on the list, for the same reasons as the G37. It's not the fastest nor does it return the best fuel economy. It's outdone by 6 cylinders from BMW and Lexus.
Audi 4.2L V8 (RS4 and R8)
Audi FSI 2.0L turbo 4cylinder (A3)
BMW 3.0L TT I6 (335i and 535i)
BMW 4.0L V8 (M3)
Lexus 3.5L V6 (IS350 and GS 350)
Honda 2.4L 4cylinder (Accord)
Toyota 5.7L V8 (Tundra, Sequoia, Land Cruiser)
GM 6.0L Hybrid V8 (Yukon and Tahoe)
Toyota 3.5L V6 (Camry and Highlander)
Toyota 1.5L Hybrid 4cylinder (Prius)
I feel like any variant of the VQ almost has to be on the list, regardless of if it is really deserving or not. It's a tradition, but not one that I particularly agree with.
I am also not sure if I agree with Cadillac's placement on the list, for the same reasons as the G37. It's not the fastest nor does it return the best fuel economy. It's outdone by 6 cylinders from BMW and Lexus.
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12-13-07, 08:57 AM
#8
I was gonna add the 4.6L V8 to my list too but I didn't want to look like a Toyota/Lexus ***** 
.
Truth is that Toyota has done a tremendous job of revamping it's powertrains over the last few years, and the products are remarkable. The 3.5L V6 can run to 60 in six seconds flat and still return 30MPG on the highway. The 5.7L is arguably the best light duty V8 truck engine on the market right now. Lexus' 3.5L V6 can snap off a 0-60 in 5-5.3 seconds and still return 28 or 29 MPG on the highway.
The 4.6L V8 though...380HP, 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, and for a full size car still returns around 28 miles or more on the highway. That is a remarkable feat IMO.
I am ready for their next generation of 4 cylinder engines...
. Truth is that Toyota has done a tremendous job of revamping it's powertrains over the last few years, and the products are remarkable. The 3.5L V6 can run to 60 in six seconds flat and still return 30MPG on the highway. The 5.7L is arguably the best light duty V8 truck engine on the market right now. Lexus' 3.5L V6 can snap off a 0-60 in 5-5.3 seconds and still return 28 or 29 MPG on the highway.
The 4.6L V8 though...380HP, 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, and for a full size car still returns around 28 miles or more on the highway. That is a remarkable feat IMO.
I am ready for their next generation of 4 cylinder engines...
12-13-07, 09:07 AM
#9
I was gonna add the 4.6L V8 to my list too but I didn't want to look like a Toyota/Lexus ***** .
Truth is that Toyota has done a tremendous job of revamping it's powertrains over the last few years, and the products are remarkable. The 3.5L V6 can run to 60 in six seconds flat and still return 30MPG on the highway. The 5.7L is arguably the best light duty V8 truck engine on the market right now. Lexus' 3.5L V6 can snap off a 0-60 in 5-5.3 seconds and still return 28 or 29 MPG on the highway.
The 4.6L V8 though...380HP, 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, and for a full size car still returns around 28 miles or more on the highway. That is a remarkable feat IMO.
I am ready for their next generation of 4 cylinder engines...
. Truth is that Toyota has done a tremendous job of revamping it's powertrains over the last few years, and the products are remarkable. The 3.5L V6 can run to 60 in six seconds flat and still return 30MPG on the highway. The 5.7L is arguably the best light duty V8 truck engine on the market right now. Lexus' 3.5L V6 can snap off a 0-60 in 5-5.3 seconds and still return 28 or 29 MPG on the highway.
The 4.6L V8 though...380HP, 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, and for a full size car still returns around 28 miles or more on the highway. That is a remarkable feat IMO.
I am ready for their next generation of 4 cylinder engines...
12-13-07, 09:42 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
The VQ makes as much power as the Lexus without DI in 3.5 form. In 3.7L form, it makes 330hp, gets 27mpg on the highway (better than the VQ 3.5) and has variable timing on both intake and exhaust. It earns the right to be on that list.
BTW, the Camry and Highlander use the same engine as the IS350 without DI (detuned state).
BTW, the Camry and Highlander use the same engine as the IS350 without DI (detuned state).
12-13-07, 09:58 AM
#11
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The 3.7L VQ is a nice engine, and deserves to be on the list. The 3.5 GR in the IS350 is also nice, but I don't see what makes it so much better than the VQ.
The two engines make similar power and similar mpg. The G37 is a bit slower than the IS350, but it's heavier.
The two engines make similar power and similar mpg. The G37 is a bit slower than the IS350, but it's heavier.
12-13-07, 10:11 AM
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The only reason why the performance isnt the greatest is because the g coupe is a cow compared to the former g35 coupe. They added power but at the same time added alot of weight.
12-13-07, 10:27 AM
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Why is the CTS engine on there as well? That engine is again, no marvel and does not beat the Lexus 3.5 liter.
As for blaming weight, I don't buy it. The 4000 lbs 3.5 liter GS 350 AWD meets and beats them all.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=4851
and the 5.3-second 0-60 time we recorded
That shows a great engine, to overcome the weight of the bigger GS and the AWD system.
The 335 and IS 350 are faster and more fuel efficient that the 3.7 VQ. Those engines are also used in more vehicles. Again, I would have left the 3.5 on there.
Not saying at all they are bad engines, they are good engines. I expected this list to be the BEST engines.
As for blaming weight, I don't buy it. The 4000 lbs 3.5 liter GS 350 AWD meets and beats them all.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=4851
and the 5.3-second 0-60 time we recorded
That shows a great engine, to overcome the weight of the bigger GS and the AWD system.
The 335 and IS 350 are faster and more fuel efficient that the 3.7 VQ. Those engines are also used in more vehicles. Again, I would have left the 3.5 on there.
Not saying at all they are bad engines, they are good engines. I expected this list to be the BEST engines.
12-13-07, 10:30 AM
#15
Lexus Champion
Audi AG: FSI 2.0L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3)
BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i Coupe)
So my two most recent motors made the list. The Toyota 3.5 shares quite a bit, I believe, with the Toyota 4.0 in our 4runner so that's kinda sorta on the list too.
The Nissan VQ series never ceases to impress - it hasn't missed a single year on the list since the list was first invented over 10 years ago!
What's fantastic about it? It makes no more if not less power than much of the competition and in the two cars its currently found in the throttle response isn't as impressive as the competition.
So it doesn't really stand out in terms of performance.
Its reliability is probably going to be good but is mostly unknown at this point so to assume its reliability when its the first ground up redesigned car V8 Lexus has used since its inception around the 1990 model year... I'd say it's not completely safe to assume it should win based on reliability.
I'd say the only category where it definitely stands out is how smooth it is. But is that a function of the motor or moreso of the car that the motor is in?
BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i Coupe)
So my two most recent motors made the list. The Toyota 3.5 shares quite a bit, I believe, with the Toyota 4.0 in our 4runner so that's kinda sorta on the list too.
The Nissan VQ series never ceases to impress - it hasn't missed a single year on the list since the list was first invented over 10 years ago!
What's fantastic about it? It makes no more if not less power than much of the competition and in the two cars its currently found in the throttle response isn't as impressive as the competition.
So it doesn't really stand out in terms of performance.
Its reliability is probably going to be good but is mostly unknown at this point so to assume its reliability when its the first ground up redesigned car V8 Lexus has used since its inception around the 1990 model year... I'd say it's not completely safe to assume it should win based on reliability.
I'd say the only category where it definitely stands out is how smooth it is. But is that a function of the motor or moreso of the car that the motor is in?