Ward's Ten Best Engines, Three Worst Sentences

Jack Baruth
by Jack Baruth

Every year, Ward’s names their “10 Best Engines” in a press release dripping with hyperbole and breathless praise. I’m often a bit mystified by their choices — the fragile, sludgy 1.8T VW? The 3.8L Nissan VR, which according to a race-engine-building friend of mine occasionally shows up with the shims on backwards, and which bore-walks under boost? The Cadillac Northstar V8??? — but the nice people at Ward’s have somehow figured out a way to make a buck creating the list and we shouldn’t begrudge them that.

Click the jump for the Ten Best Engines — and a special TTAC Bonus, the Three Worst Sentences Of The Press Release.

  • 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi S4)
  • 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i)
  • 1.6L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mini Cooper S)
  • 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Dodge Avenger)
  • 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)
  • 1.4L DOHC I-4/111kW Drive Motor (Chevrolet Volt)
  • 5.0L Tau DOHC V-8 (Hyundai Genesis)
  • 80kW AC Synchronous Electric Motor (Nissan Leaf)
  • 2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Volkswagen Jetta TDI)
  • 3.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (Volvo S60)

And now, the Three Worst Sentences:

  • Or Something Else, In Those Japanese Videos You Told Your Mom Belonged To Your Friend: “The effect is all-consuming, washing over the driver like waves on a beach.”
  • Notions Of Turbo Lag Are Now Just Ninety Percent As Scary, Thanks To BMW: “For 2011, the N55 I-6 in the 335i replaces the two compressors with a single twin-scroll turbocharger that saves weight, improves throttle response, boosts fuel efficiency (15% over the N54) and reduces friction, while decimating the notion of turbo lag.”
  • Our Favorite Inaccurate Noise Comparison, “UNDERWATER NUCLEAR SUBMARINE MICROPHONES LISTENING TO SHRIMP CHEWING ON FOOD AT 100 METERS DISTANCE”, Was Temporarily Unavailable Due To Use Elsewhere In A Decibel Chart: (Pentastar V6) “At idle, it is as quiet as a whisper.”

And now, the TTAC Bonus We Didn’t Even Mention In The Headline: Ward’s Best Sentence For 2010! Drum roll please:

  • Until You Understand It, You Won’t Realize It’s Just A Glorified Hybrid: (Chevy Volt) “Some consider it a glorified hybrid while others just don’t understand it.”
Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth

More by Jack Baruth

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 62 comments
  • Moparman426W Moparman426W on Dec 08, 2010

    Tiredmechanic, I'm also thinking late 70's 425, or possibly 80-81 368, because the blue color used is late 70's to about 80 to 81. If I remember correctly caddy engines were painted black starting around 82 when all of the other gm engines went black.

  • King 684 King 684 on Sep 23, 2017

    The Cadillac 1981 684 engine was technically far ahead of it's time. Own one and take time to tweek it (RockAuto has all parts). It will be the centerpiece of your driveway. They also make excellent lawn ornaments. You'll find the style, comfort and power make the Cadillac ride experience far above any of the junk from China and Europe. What is your choice; a limousine, bottle of soya sauce or a sardine can? Salt is bad, no omega 3's in a limo! Only beautiful people. Cadillacs Rule! Soul Brother.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
Next