Ford Motor Co.’s 2.5L DOHC I-4 HEV: Great Fuel Economy

Placing a hybrid-electric vehicle on the 10 Best Engines list is always a charged affair. Only three auto makers have managed to crack the list this decade, amid questions from internal-combustion purists who want this competition to be only about engines, not tag-team systems that need electric motors. This year, a fourth OEM joins that short list as Ford Motor Co. collects a trophy for its second-generation

Feb. 1, 2009

Audi AG’s 2.0L TFSI DOHC Turbocharged I-4: Four Times a Winner

Audi AG's 2.0L TFSI turbocharged 4-cyl. has had little trouble in the past winning over Ward's 10 Best Engines judges, garnering a spot on the list each of the last three years. However, with the introduction of the all-new '09 A4 range, the auto maker tempted fate by trying to improve upon what already is one of the best I-4s in production. Fear not, as the revised TFSI turbo-4 once again fortifies

Feb. 1, 2009

Explore the Trendline➔

Artificial Intelligence

Automakers and dealers alike are increasingly seeing the use case for AI within their operations. Explore some use cases in this trendline.

By WardsAuto staff

Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.’s 4.6L DOHC V-8: A First for South Korean Auto Maker

It's a bold move by Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. to roll out a new V-8 in a time of economic downturn and fuel conservation. Yet, the new Tau 4.6L DOHC V-8 scores a first-time Ward's 10 Best Engines appearance for the South Korean auto maker with an impressive mix of power, efficiency and affordability. Unanimously praised for being a ton of engine for the V-8 Genesis sedan's sub-$40,000 asking price, the

Feb. 1, 2009

Exec: We Never Finished Job with Saturn

General Motors Corp. built one of the industry's greatest brands with its Saturn division, but never properly cultivated it to where it could earn its own way, the auto maker's head of North American operations acknowledges. We created a heck of a brand, GM North America President Troy Clarke tells journalists during a roundtable discussion at the North American International Auto Show here. We created

By James M. Amend • Feb. 1, 2009

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.’s 3.5L SOHC V-6: Superior Performance

The word rocket ship is rarely proffered on behalf of the Honda Accord, a fine car, to be sure, but known for reliability and practicality rather than sweaty-palm titillation. Yet, more than one Ward's judge used that supercharged term to describe the 3.5L SOHC V-6 that powers the Accord coupe to its second-consecutive 10 Best Engines award. This 271-hp V-6 does so many things well. Its steady road

Feb. 1, 2009

AIADA Head Darrow Wants Bank Oversight

Russ Darrow's first store was a Chrysler dealership he purchased in 1965 when he was 25 years old in West Bend, WI. Now he is the incoming chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Assn. Out of his 15 dealerships, 11 are import stores. The Darrow group ranked 85th on last year's Ward's Megadealer 100 with $410 million in total revenue. His focus the next few months, at least, is less

By Cliff Banks • Feb. 1, 2009

Volkswagen AG’s 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel: Affordable Diesel

The last time an affordable diesel landed on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list, in 1997, a gallon of regular unleaded cost less than $1.25 and Americans were discovering the functionality of gas-guzzling SUVs and personal-use pickups. At the time, diesels were as relevant as hybrids, which hadn't even arrived yet in the U.S. True, VW diesels of the day were capable of 45 mpg (5.2 L/100 km) when the

Feb. 1, 2009

Toyota Motor Corp.’s 3.5L DOHC V-6: Premium Engineering

Laying claim to its fourth-consecutive slot on the Ward's 10 Best Engines roster, Toyota Motor Corp.'s 3.5L Lexus V-6 once again emerges as the engine to beat among a field of excellent V-6 competitors. With a delectable balance of power, grace and technology, the engine powering the Lexus IS 350 is a favorite of several judges and impresses all with its class-leading horsepower, torque and fuel economy.

Feb. 1, 2009

GM Taps LG Chem for Chevy Volt Battery

General Motors Corp. selects South Korea's LG Chem Ltd. and its Compact Power Inc. subsidiary in Troy, MI, to supply lithium-ion cells for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. GM also will locate a plant in Michigan to assemble the cells into the t-shaped battery pack for the Volt, pending the approval of state incentives. GM is back in the battery business, says GM Chairman and CEO

By James M. Amend • Feb. 1, 2009

BMW AG’s 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel: Clean Engineering

To say BMW AG's new 3.0L inline-6-cyl. turbodiesel checks all the boxes for greatness would be putting it lightly. Introduced in the '09 335d sedan, as well as the X5 xDrive 35d cross/utility vehicle, no other engine this year captivated our seasoned panel of Ward's 10 Best Engines judges the way BMW's clean-burning diesel did. From its ability to lay down a gutsy 425 lb.-ft. (576 Nm) of torque at

Feb. 1, 2009

Year of E-Car at North American International Auto Show

It could be called the year of the electric vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. E-vehicle unveilings were plentiful although none quite ready for prime time. They do indicate the direction the auto industry is headed. Here are show highlights: Chrysler Hints at Future Electric-Range Technology The unveiled Chrysler 200C EV electric-drive sedan represents a coming-out

Feb. 1, 2009

BMW AG’s 3.0L DOHC Turbocharged I-6: Powerful, Efficient, Stimulating

Adding another pair of turbochargers, as well as six cylinders to this year's rankings, BMW AG's 3.0L twin-turbocharged I-6 achieves its third-consecutive spot on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list. Arguably one of the best volume internal-combustion engines ever produced, the wonderful straight-6 turbo, along with BMW's 10 Best Engines-winning 3.0L clean diesel, support the auto maker's new direction

Feb. 1, 2009

VW’s Black Sheep

Encircled in blue, the overlapping and that constitute Volkswagen's brand logo is one of the world's most recognizable symbols. It suggests high-quality craftsmanship, sportiness and above all value. So the buying public can be forgiven for expecting such attributes from vehicles adorned with the time-honored insignia. Even a minivan. But VW nails just one of these three targets with the Routan, the

By Eric Mayne • Feb. 1, 2009

Chrysler Tells Dealers to Sell Those Vehicles or Pay a Fee

Chrysler LLC, pressing to whittle down an inventory of unsold 2008 and 2009 models, handed its dealers a bitter pill fees on new cars over a year old and revival of the detested sales bank that had supposedly died in 2006. The new batch of inventory fees was like a last straw, says Paul Cleaver, owner of Freedom Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Lexington, KY. He counted 18 vehicles in his inventory over a year

By Mac Gordon • Feb. 1, 2009

V-8 Leads Hyundai’s Upscale Push

The Ward’s 10 Best Engines competition has recognized outstanding powertrain development for 15 years. In the first installment of our 2009 series, Ward’s looks at the design philosophy behind Hyundai’s 4.6L DOHC Tau V-8.

By Drew Winter • Feb. 1, 2009

Tau V-8 Leads Hyundai’s Upscale Push

Tau’s destiny is to launch Hyundai into the world’s luxury and performance markets and into the U.S. light-truck segment – if that beleaguered sector ever recovers.

By Drew Winter • Jan. 28, 2009

Turbo Placement on BMW V-8 May be New Design Trend

Efficient and capable of meeting Euro 5 and U.S. ultra-low emissions (ULEV) standards, experts say the new engine also is capable of producing far more than its current 400 hp without breaking a sweat.

By Drew Winter • Jan. 28, 2009

Routan Black Sheep of VW Family

The Routan is VW’s interpretation of Chrysler’s interpretation of a modern people-mover.

By Eric Mayne • Jan. 28, 2009

GM Draws Support From Chevy, B-P-G Dealers for Core-Brand Strategy

“We all know we’ll come out of this, and there will be a ton of pent-up demand,” says one dealer “We’ll be ready for it.”

By Derek Stark • Jan. 26, 2009

Nissan 370Z Spiffy Enough; Will Market Respond?

The 370Z pays homage to a legacy of Z cars that have defined Nissan. Sales volumes won’t make or break the auto maker, but the snappy good looks are sure to generate showroom traffic.

By Tom Murphy • Jan. 26, 2009

Chrysler Dealers Respond Positively to Tough Message

Chrysler is asking dealers for help in getting its manufacturing plants moving again, seen as critical to securing more government loans.

By Cliff Banks • Jan. 25, 2009

Kenny Kent Compensates With Service, Body Shop Success

Butch Hancock says his upgraded facility will take the Toyota dealership into the next decade.

By Derek Stark • Jan. 25, 2009

Ford Working to Forge Closer Relationship With Dealers

One important change is earlier involvement in product development. Instead of seeing vehicles a year from launch, retailers now have a say in which products Ford will introduce.

By Derek Stark • Jan. 24, 2009

GM Holden Puts Brakes on Cadillac’s Return Down Under

Cadillac was to become the 47th vehicle brand in the Australian market, returning after a 40-year absence.

By Alan Harman • Jan. 23, 2009

Braman Honda Trumpets Success in Local Florida Market

Braman Honda steps up its advertising to adjust to changing market conditions.

By Derek Stark • Jan. 23, 2009