They may not be as sexy as the sheetmetal that surrounds them but engines can account for 30 percent or more of a vehicles cost as well as define its marketing niche

17th year of awards program

2011 marks the 17th year of Wards Automotive Magazine’s 10 Best Engines list. Not only is this the North American auto industry’s only award of its kind, it is, according to Wards, “considered by many to be the ‘Oscars’ for automotive engines.” We’ll let that last comment slide for now.

This year, the list of ten best seems to mirror the upheaval that the auto industry has experienced over the last two years as the list of current winners marks the biggest turnover in the history of the competition (winners from the previous year’s list are automatically entered the following year). This year, no fewer than six of the ten winners represented are either completely new engines or propulsion systems, while two (from BMW and Hyundai) have been heavily modified from last year. Only the engines from Audi and Volkswagen directly carry over from last year’s winners list.

In order to qualify, each engine must be available in a regular-production U.S.-specification model scheduled to be on-sale no later than the end of the first quarter of 2011. Vehicles the engines are available in are given a price ceiling of $55,000 in a price cap formula that is indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

And the winners are (in alphabetical manufacturer’s order)

Audi 3.0 liter TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
New for 2010 with 333 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque for the S4, this powerplant can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual.

BMW 3.0 liter N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i)
Coming back from a hiatus (it won in 2007, 2008 and 2009), BMW has swapped two compressors for a single twin-scroll turbocharger with a resulting savings in weight, throttle response and even fuel efficiency (15% over its predecessor).

BMW 1.6 liter Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mini Cooper S)
BMW takes this small four-cylinder to the top of the heap with a specific output of 113 horsepower per liter. Assembled by PSA Peugeot Citroen in France, the “Prince” engine features BMW’s Valvetronic fully variable valve timing system.

Chrysler 3.6 liter Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Dodge Avenger)
This new-for-2011 engine will be featured in no less than 10 2011 Chrysler vehicles ranging from the Dodge Avenger and its Chrysler 200 twin to the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.


Ford 5.0 liter DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)
The original 5.0 was launched in 1979. For 2011, it returns in all-aluminum form with 412 horses and twin independent variable camshaft timing.


General Motors 1.4 liter DOHC I-4/111kW Drive Motor (Chevrolet Volt)
Running on batteries alone, the Volt will travel anywhere from 25 to 40 miles. When (or if) you run out of juice, the 84 horsepower engine will take you anywhere you want while averaging a combined 37 mpg city/highway.

Hyundai 5.0 liter Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
Returning to the list from last year is this tweaked V-8 from Hyundai. Now displacing an even 5 liters (up from 4.6) and direct injection replacing the previous units port set-up. Horsepower is now up to 429 from 385, while torque is now 376 lb.-ft. (up from 333).

Nissan 80kW AC Synchronous Electric Motor (Nissan LEAF)
For the first time ever, Wards honors a powerplant in a vehicle that has no engine at all. Putting its power to the pavement through a single speed reduction gear, the LEAF features an 80kW synchronous motor powered by a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery that generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque.

Volkswagen 2.0 liter SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta TDI)
Marking 3 years in a row as a top ten, VW’s turbodiesel is certified in all 50 states and produces 140 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Boasting EPA figures of 30 city/41 highway, this compression ignition engine makes for a much more entertaining alternative to most gas/electric hybrids.

Volvo 3.0 liter Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (Volvo S60)
2011 marks the first time the Swedish automaker has appeared on Ward’s list. Volvo’s T-6 engine produces 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque – matching the torque figures of it’s V8, but at a lowly 2,100 rpm, compared to the eight’s 3,950 rpm.