Automotive publication Ward’s has announced its annual “10 Best Engines”. For the 2014 model year, the list includes three diesels, a three-cylinder turbo engine, and a electric drivetrain. The publication recognizes powertrain technology that are so compelling that they help sell the vehicle. They must be installed in a vehicle with a base price of $60,000, up from last year’s $55,000 cap.
This year’s winners:
- 1.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-3 (Ford Fiesta)
- 2.0L Turbodiesel DOHC I-4 (Chevrolet Cruze Diesel)
- 2.7L DOHC H-6 boxer (Porsche Cayman)
- 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S5)
- 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Honda Accord)
- 3.0L Turbodiesel DOHC I-6 (BMW 535d)
- 3.0L Turbodiesel DOHC V-6 (Ram 1500 EcoDiesel)
- 83-kW Electric Motor (Fiat 500e)
- 6.2L OHV V-8 (Chevrolet Corvette Stingray)
- 1.8L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Volkswagen Jetta)
Awarded cars that are avialble in the Philippines are the Ford Fiesta 1.0, Chevrolet Cruze diesel, Audi S5, Porsche Cayman, and Honda Accord V6.
Wards says that the award emphasizes fuel economy as carmakers develop their powertrain technology. The award is eleigible for engines available in the US market, with the latest ones being pitted against returning winners from the previous year. There were only two returning winners this year: the Honda 3.5-liter V6 and the Audi 3.0-liter V6. Audi secured its fifth consecutive Ward’s 10 Best Engines award for the V6.
Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost turbo engine was cited for its compact size, its cast-iron block small and light enough to fit in a commercial plane’s overhead bin, with a highway fuel economy of 19.23 km/liter. Functioning without a balance shaft, the three-cylinder uses an offset flywheel and crank pulley to counteract the vibrations due to the odd firing sequence.
Chevrolet Cruze’s 2.0 liter diesel was cited as being competitive with diesels in German cars twice the Cruze’s price. Neck-snapping torque makes up for the low-speed vibration and noise. Ward’s cited the Cruze as capable of exceeding its 19.6 km/liter highway fuel economy rating.
This is the 20th year of the list.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.