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Four New Engines on Ward's 10 Best List for 2000

16 December 1999

Four New Engines on Ward's 10 Best List for 2000

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 15 -- Whether you are into roadsters
or sport/utility vehicles (SUVs), it's the engine that gives you the
excitement, confidence and connection with the vehicle.  The engines deemed
most likely to stir driver emotions in year 2000 models earned the sixth
annual Ward's 10 Best Engines Awards.  The winners are:

    Engine and tested vehicle
    *  Audi AG 2.7L Twin-turbo DOHC V-6  (A6 2.7T)
    *  BMW AG 3.2L DOHC I-6  (M Coupe)
    *  DaimlerChrysler AG 3.2L SOHC V-6  (Mercedes E320)
    *  Ford Motor Co. 5.4L Triton SOHC V-8/5.4L supercharged  (F-Series SVT
       Lightning)
    *  Ford Motor Co. 3.9L DOHC V-8  (Lincoln LS)
    *  General Motors Corp. 3.5L Twin Cam V-6  (Oldsmobile Aurora)
    *  Honda Motor Co. Ltd. 2L DOHC I-4  (S2000)
    *  Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. "VQ" 3L DOHC V-6  (Maxima)
    *  Porsche AG 3.2L DOHC H-6  (Boxster S)
    *  Toyota Motor Corp. 4L DOHC V-8  (Lexus GS400)

    Six of the 10 Best are repeat winners from last year.  The DaimlerChrysler
3.2L, Ford 5.4L Triton, GM's 3.5L Twin Cam and the Toyota 4L are all now in
the multi-year ranks on the 10 Best list.  The BMW 3.2L I-6 and the Nissan
"VQ" 3L, however, reign at the top as the only 6-year winners.  "Only three
U.S.-built engines made our list this year, which underscores that fact that
although domestic automakers build many good engines, European and Japanese
automakers seem more focused on building great ones," says Bill Visnic, editor
of Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update and evaluation team leader.
"European and Japanese consumers generally are more discriminating than U.S.
consumers when it comes to engines, and this is reflected by the higher level
of technical refinement of many foreign-built powerplants," he says.
    With horsepower/liter ratings on the rise in smaller engines, this year's
list also shows a noticeable shift from V-8 dominance.  "Automakers are
getting the power they need with smaller powerplants," says Visnic.
    During a two-month test period, six editors from Ward's Communications
evaluated the engines of 33 cars, trucks and SUVs that were nominated by the
Ward's staff.  Scoring encompassed the crucial engine characteristics of
power, torque, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), technical relevance and
basic comparative numbers.  All engines nominated and tested were in vehicles
with a base MSRP under $50,000.  "The engines in high-priced vehicles should
be outstanding," says Visnic.  "By setting a realistic base price, we ensure
the awards have value to the average consumer."
    A VIP reception and awards ceremony sponsored by DuPont Automotive,
Interface Solutions Inc. and MascoTech will be held Thursday, January 13,
2000, during the North American International Auto Show Supplier Preview.  The
reception begins at 4 p.m. with the ceremony following at 5 p.m.
    Details of the Ward's 10 Best Engines will be featured in the January
issues of Ward's AutoWorld and Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update and
at http://www.wardsauto.com .
    Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 100,000
automotive professionals globally.  The twice-monthly newsletter Ward's Engine
& Vehicle Technology Update provides analysis of engineering advancements and
technical issues.  Each is published by Southfield, MI-based Ward's
Communications, a division of Intertec Publishing Corp.