Nissan wins 14th straight Ward’s 10-Best Engines award

[AVANTI R5]

Nissan wins 14th straight Ward’s 10-Best Engines award
http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/n...ard/#more-4372





They’ve done it again. Nissan’s familiar VQ series engine has been included in the latest ‘10 Best Engines’ list by Ward’s, making it the 14th straight year a VQ series engine has earned that distinction. This also makes it the only engine to be included in the list every year since the award began back in 1995.

The new engine is the VQ37VHR, which is actually used in the Infiniti G37 Coupe. New features of the V6 engine is VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) technology, which sees final output rate in at 330hp (246kW) and 366Nm (270lb-ft) of torque. Although based on a similar design to previous VQ engines, the latest powerplant contains approximately 35% new and unique parts from the Infiniti G35 sedan’s VQ35HR unit.


The VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to help improve performance, response and efficiency.


To qualify for the award, engines must be available in a regular-production, U.S.-specification models and be on sale no later than the first quarter of 2008. The catch is that the cars must be priced no more than $54,000 - a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

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[bal00]

Originally Posted by AVANTI R5

They’ve done it again. Nissan’s familiar VQ series engine has been included in the latest ‘10 Best Engines’ list by Ward’s, making it the 14th straight year a VQ series engine has earned that distinction. This also makes it the only engine to be included in the list every year since the award began back in 1995.

95-07...wouldn't that be the 13th time?

[SlideWRX]

http://wardsauto.com/home/best_engines_focus/

Here's the list.

Audi AG: FSI 2.0L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3)
BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i Coupe)
Daimler AG: 3.0L DOHC V-6 Turbodiesel (Mercedes E320 CDI)
Ford Motor Co.: 4.6L SOHC V-8 (Mustang Shelby GT/Bullitt)
General Motors Corp.: 3.6L DOHC V-6 (Cadillac CTS)
General Motors Corp.: 6.0L OHV V-8 Hybrid (GMC Yukon Hybrid)
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe)
Mazda Motor Corp.: 2.3L DISI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Mazdaspeed3)
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.7L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G37)
Toyota Motor Corp.: 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)

[teh POD]

Originally Posted by bal00

95-07...wouldn't that be the 13th time?

i think it's for 95-08

[WRXbrian]

i dont know about the others out there , but i was never a fan of the VQ.
i just fell for the VGs more. they are a better build in my opinion.

[Superglue WRX]

Last year Subaru won Engine of the Year.

This year, not even in the top ten?

[Balantz]

No GTI love? 2.0 litre direct-injection turbo four that hits max torque at 1800 rpm...? Come on!


Edit: They put it down as the Audi A3. Of course.

[quentinberg007]

Originally Posted by Superglue WRX

Last year Subaru won Engine of the Year.

This year, not even in the top ten?

Wards specifically doesn't like plastic intake manifolds.

The 2.0 FSI Turbo is a phenomenal engine, though. I have these dreams about stuffing it into an MKII GTI or GLI. Putting it into an e30 BMW would be cool too.

~~Quentin

[Diz]

Originally Posted by quentinberg007

Putting it into an e30 BMW would be cool too.

That sounds like a fantastic swap. I've always loved the e30 body style. When are you gonna start?

The VQ is a fantastic motor. We have a 2003 Pathfinder equipped with the VQ35. Due to the weight of the vehicle and our altitude, it could use a little more sack. That being said, it's smooth like butta and I can imagine how much fun it would be in a G35. They sound great, too.