World's 2009 Best Engine List

Ward's Automotive Group announced the 2009 best engines list, which which people say it would probably reshape the US automotive landscape. Ward's list is a prestigious recognition brought to the best engines in the automotive industry and it's seen as the “Oscars” of the engine world. Without further ado, here are the winners.

* Audi AG: 2.0L TFSI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (A4 Avant)
* BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (135i Coupe)
* BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbo-diesel (335d)
* Chrysler LLC: 5.7L Hemi OHV V-8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T)
* Ford Motor Co.: 2.5L DOHC I-4 HEV (Escape Hybrid)
* General Motors Corp.: 3.6L DOHC V-6 (Cadillac CTS)
* Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe)
* Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.: 4.6L DOHC V-8 (Genesis)
* Toyota Motor Corp.: 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)
* Volkswagen AG: 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbo-diesel (Jetta TDI)

An unexpected but very big surprise on Word's list is Ford's redesigned hybrid-electric power-train which during the testing the front wheel drive HEV managed to lower the federal fuel economy rating of 34/31 city/highway mpg (6.9-7.5 L/100 km).

The list also features some diesel engines, in particular a 2.0L 4-cyl. turbo-diesel that powers the Jetta TDI sedan. An economical, affordable and alternative engine to many gasoline and hybrid-electric powerplants.

BMW is also present with a 3.0L inline 6-cyl turbo-diesel which employs a sequential twin-turbocharger system which provides the 335d sedan with a power that could restart a dead planet, 425 lb.-ft. (576 Nm) of torque.

But the biggest surprise of them all is not an engine that is in the list, it's one that for the first time in the last thirteen years is absent. We are talking about Nissan's omnipresent VQ.