Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s hear a round of applause for the powerplants included on Ward’s 2012 Best Engines list. The units come in all shapes and sizes and use multiple kinds of technology, all for the same aim: to maximize efficiency and bring a higher output.
So, let’s get to the point. Here are the engines, as well as the bonnets they lie under:
• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi A6)
• 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (BMW Z4/528i)
• 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i coupe)
• 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Chrysler 300S/Jeep Wrangler)
• 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 (Ford Edge)
• 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang Boss 302)
• 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Buick Regal GS)
• 1.6L DOHC I-4 (Hyundai Accent/Kia Soul)
• 2.0L Skyactiv DOHC I-4 (Mazda3)
• 3.5L DOHC V-6 HEV (Infiniti M35h)
This year, a record number of 7 out of ten units use direct injection to turn pedal position into forward momentum. The three that use old school multi-port injection are the Infiniti 3.5L V6, the Chrysler Pentastar V6 and the FOrd V8.
Last year, only three names on the list were four-cylinder mills, but for 2012, we have five of them. Five is also the number of powerplants that use forced induction (four come with turbocharging and one with supercharging).
• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi A6)
• 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (BMW Z4/528i)
• 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i coupe)
• 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Chrysler 300S/Jeep Wrangler)
• 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 (Ford Edge)
• 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang Boss 302)
• 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Buick Regal GS)
• 1.6L DOHC I-4 (Hyundai Accent/Kia Soul)
• 2.0L Skyactiv DOHC I-4 (Mazda3)
• 3.5L DOHC V-6 HEV (Infiniti M35h)
This year, a record number of 7 out of ten units use direct injection to turn pedal position into forward momentum. The three that use old school multi-port injection are the Infiniti 3.5L V6, the Chrysler Pentastar V6 and the FOrd V8.
Last year, only three names on the list were four-cylinder mills, but for 2012, we have five of them. Five is also the number of powerplants that use forced induction (four come with turbocharging and one with supercharging).