Ward's Announces 10 Best Engines Awards for 2011

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Ward's 10 Best Engines, North America's only award program honoring excellence in vehicle powertrains, have been announced for 2011.  

The list suggests the hype surrounding two electric- propulsion systems making headlines across North America is well-deserved. 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. Ward's editors spent October and November driving the vehicles in their routine daily commutes around metropolitan Detroit and scored each engine based on power, technology, observed fuel economy and noise, vibration and harshness. There was no instrumented testing.

To be eligible for the competition, each engine must be available in a regular-production U.S.-specification model on sale no later than first-quarter 2011, in a vehicle priced no more than $55,000, a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

The awards will be presented at a Jan. 12 ceremony in Detroit during the North American International Auto Show.

The list can be seen here: http://wardsauto.com/reports/2011/tenbest/.  Complete stories about the Ward's 10 Best Engines will be featured Dec. 16 on WardsAuto.com and in upcoming issues of Ward's AutoWorld magazine and Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update newsletter.

About Ward's AutoWorld

Ward's Automotive Group is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for nearly 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals.  The twice-monthly newsletter Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update provides analysis of engineering advancements and technical issues. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering - all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by Ward's Automotive Group, the world's leader in automotive industry information. A Southfield, MI-based division of Penton Media, Inc., Ward's Automotive Group also publishes the weekly industry newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, the monthly magazine Ward's Dealer Business, and offers a wealth of other automotive information services including reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports.

About Penton Media

As a leading, independent, business-to-business media company, Penton knows business and how to create and disseminate the vital content that moves markets. Penton is where professionals turn to gain the critical insight, expert analysis, and relevant connections needed to compete and succeed. Headquartered in New York City, the privately held company is owned by MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP, and its co-investors. For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.

CONTACT:  Jill Baldassano, +1-212-204-4259, [email protected]

SOURCE Ward's AutoWorld