Diesels and Germans out of favour

Automotive electric motors are hitting their straps and the world's most influential engine judges like what they're driving. That's the take out from Wards annual stocktake of global automotive powerplants.

After evaluating 32 engines during its "routine commutes in metro Detroit" US outlet Wards chose one EV, one hydrogen fuel-cell electric car, two hybrids, one V8, three V6s and a pair of turbo-petrol four-cylinder engines.

No diesels made the list and only Ford and Honda scored more than one gong each.

It was interesting to note that the US based awards ignored any product. The only prestige brands that grabbed gongs were from Japan and England, specifically, Infiniti and Jaguar respectively.

"We're happy to recognise great engines in luxury cars but we're thrilled to see so many high-volume automakers, whose vehicles are more affordable for average Americans, delivering truly outstanding powertrains," said WardsAuto senior content director, Drew Winter.

There was a clear shift towards electrified powerplants, with the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Honda Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle jumping off the page. The 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol-electric from the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan was also honoured.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid got a gong for its 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid rig.

The only V8 in the mix was the 5.0-litre mill from the Ford Mustang GT.

Nevertheless, performance cars were well represented this year with the Honda Civic Type R leading the charge. The hot hatch’s 228kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine was praised as "happy to slam up against the 7000rpm redline" but still able to achieve 9.0L/100 km in city traffic.

Kia made the list for the first time in the engine awards' 24-year history with the Stinger GT's twin-turbo V6, described as a "formidable powertrain" with its 272kW of power and 510Nm of torque.

Jaguar also made cut for the first time ever. The Brit brand’s 2.0-litre 'Ingenium' turbo-petrol engine was praised for its "unique electrohydraulic valve train" and ability to deliver "plenty of punch for every situation".

Turbocharged V6 engines were also popular, with 3.0-litre and 2.7-litre powerplants from the Infiniti Q50 and Ford F-150 snagging spots in the top 10.

Wards Top 10 engines 2018 winners:
150kW electric motor (Chevrolet Bolt EV)
130kW Fuel Cell/Electric Propulsion System (Honda Clarity)
3.6-litre Pentastar V6/PHEV (Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid)
2.5-litre four-cylinder/HEV (Toyota Camry Hybrid)
2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder (Jaguar XF)
2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder (Honda Civic Type R)
3.0-litre turbo V6 (Infiniti Q50)
2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 (Ford F-150)
3.3-litre turbo V6 (Kia Stinger)
5.0-litre V8 (Ford Mustang GT)