Top 10 powertrains of 2022 announced
Wards releases its list of the best engines and propulsion systems for this year, including a repeat winnerWardsAuto has announced its 10 best engines and propulsion systems for 2022, and the list comprises five battery-electric systems, one plug-in hybrid, one series hybrid and three internal combustion engines.
Nine different manufacturers were included in the list, with the only double-up being Jeep, which was recognised for its new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol ‘4xe’ plug-in hybrid system (Jeep Grand Cherokee) as well as its new ‘Hurricane’ twin-turbo petrol 3.0-litre straight-six (Jeep Grand Wagoneer).
The other winners included the Acura Integra’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, Toyota’s ‘i-Force Max’ 3.5-litre turbo-petrol V6 hybrid (Toyota Tundra), the EV systems in the Ford F-150 Lightning, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Lucid Air, GMC Hummer and Mercedes-Benz EQS, as well as the Nissan’s latest force-fed 1.5-litre variable-compression four-cylinder petrol donk (Nissan X-TRAIL e-Power).
Just two of these powertrains and/or models are presently offered in Australia – EQS and IONIQ 5 – but that list will swell to four next year once the electrified X-TRAIL and Grand Cherokee arrive on local soil.
The i-ForceMax system has also been confirmed as the only powertrain under study for the Aussie market as part of Toyota and Walkinshaw’s recently announced conversion and testing program and it’s only a matter of time before the Hurricane engine finds its way into local Jeep and RAM product in lieu of V8s.
Twenty-nine vehicles were in the running for the awards this year, with Wards scoring their powertrains for outputs as well as “NVH management, observed efficiency and new technology on-board”.
Of those 29 models, 17 of them feature some form of electrification while the 12 ICE vehicles were made up of seven four-cylinders, two six-cylinders and two V8s.
As in 2021, there was no price cap this year, meaning exotic models from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche were also eligible for judging.
“While evaluating the vehicles, only powertrains that are all-new or significantly improved are eligible for testing,” said Wards.
“The 2021 class of Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems winners are eligible to return, but only three winners accepted that invitation.”
“Just one returning powertrain (4xe)… earned repeat honours.”
Wards went on to state it was rare for a propulsion system to impress judges for more than a year or two, given “the pace of electrification and advances in internal combustion”.
The 10 winners will be formally recognised at an awards ceremony in Detroit on October 27.
2022 Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems:
Acura Integra A-Spec – 1.5L turbo-petrol 4-Cyl
Ford F-150 Lightning – Electric Propulsion System
GMC Hummer EV – Electric Propulsion System
Hyundai IONIQ 5 – Electric Propulsion System
Lucid Air – Electric Propulsion System
Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS – Electric Propulsion System
Nissan Rogue/X-TRAIL – 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-Cyl
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe – 2.0L turbo-petrol 4-Cyl PHEV
Jeep Grand Wagoneer – 3.0L turbo-petrol I6
Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX – 3.5L turbo-petrol V6 HEV
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