GM's Vortec 4200 I-6 Named 2005 Ward's 10 Best Engine

Popular SUV Engine Honored Each Year Since Inception In 2001

PONTIAC, Mich. December 15, 2004; For the fourth consecutive year, General Motors' Vortec 4200 inline six-cylinder engine has been recognized as a Ward's Communications "10 Best Engine."

When it was introduced in 2002 model year vehicles, the Vortec 4200 was the first inline six-cylinder engine in GM Powertrain's engine portfolio in almost 20 years. Recognized by Ward's at that time, the engine has continued to garner their praise, earning 10 Best recognition in 2002, 2003, 2004 and now again for 2005.

The Vortec 4200 is a 4.2-liter, inline six-cylinder, all-aluminum, dual-overhead-cam, four-valves-per-cylinder design engine. Using a range of advanced engine technologies, like variable valve timing, electronic throttle control, and coil-on-plug ignition, the engine delivers 275 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, providing customers the power of a V-8 with the efficiency of a six-cylinder.

"We designed the Vortec 4200 to be a benchmark engine in power, performance, and refinement," says Ron Kociba, chief engineer, Vortec inline engines. "We're honored that the judges of the Ward's 10 Best continue to recognize the engine for these characteristics."

Since its introduction, the Vortec 4200 has been a proven sales success in GM's midsize sport utility vehicles, demonstrating the engine-building craftsmanship of the UAW Local 659 employees at GM's Flint South Engine plant. Today, it is the standard powerplant in the 2005 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT, GMC Envoy, Envoy XL and Envoy XUV, and Saab 9-7x.

In 2005, GM Powertrain engineers further refined the popular engine with numerous improvements, including an improved cam phaser, more immediate throttle response, and noise reducing materials that make the Vortec 4200 one of the quietest, smoothest six-cylinder truck engines in production today.

GM engineers also reduced engine emissions with the addition of a returnless fuel injection system and new intake manifold and throttle body gaskets, enabling it to meet federal and California state near-zero evaporative emissions standards mandated for 2007.

In addition to advanced engine technologies, the Vortec 4200 is built using advanced manufacturing processes. The cast aluminum six-cylinder engine blocks and aluminum cylinder heads are produced using the "lost foam" casting process at GM's Saginaw Metal Casting Operation. This process allows more exact dimensional control while reducing machining efforts in oil galleries, coolant and other internal passages.

Ward's Communications publishes Ward's AutoWorld and Ward's Engine and Vehicle Technology Update. The criteria for the 10 Best Engines competition includes a range of customer driveability factors such as horsepower, torque, technical relevance to the vehicle, and low levels of noise, vibration and harshness. Ward's 10 Best Engines was created as a way to recognize superior performance and showcase the critical importance of powertrain technology and excellence in engine engineering.

GM Powertrain is a global producer of engines, transmissions, castings and components for GM vehicles and other automotive, marine, and industrial OEMs. Headquartered in Pontiac, GM Powertrain has operating and coordinating responsibility for GM's powertrain manufacturing plants and engineering centers in North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.