In 2020, "ward's top ten engines" was renamed as "ward's top ten engines and power system". This year's list includes four unconventional fuel engines and three straight 6 engines.

The results of the 2020 ward top 10 engine and powertrain awards have been released, and since 2018, new energy has started to occupy at least four spots on the list. Therefore, we also see that the "ward top 10 engines" award in 2020 is officially renamed as "ward top 10 engines and power system" award.

This year's list also includes four unconventional fuel engines: two gasoline engines with a 48-v light blend system, one gasoline strong blend system, and one pure electric drive system. In terms of fuel engine, only one seat is left for the large displacement 8 cylinder favored by the American market. However, three fuel engines have chosen the straight 6 structure. It seems that the American market also conforms to the trend of "energy saving and emission reduction".

BMW 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder gasoline engine

Representative model: BMW M340i

BMW has a long history of using in-line 6 cylinders. In the new engine design, BMW adopts the same cylinder diameter and cylinder core distance, which reduces the development difficulty and workload. But this modularity is hard to apply to a v-type engine, which starts with a six-cylinder engine. In the face of the American market to reduce the displacement of the trend, adhere to the V engine is obviously not meaningful. So with the modular car technology into the engine field, the in-line 6 cylinder in BMW with a new lease of life.

Daimler 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder gasoline engine +48V light mixing system

Representative model: mercedes-benz GLE 450

Among mercedes-benz's latest engine products, an in-line 6-cylinder figure, code-named M256, appears, marking the return of the straight 6 after 20 years. Like BMW, Mercedes is also considering the new engine modularization strategy, it can be said that this six-cylinder engine is the representative of the new power unit of Mercedes.

Facing the disadvantage of in-line 6 cylinder in size, mercedes-benz's new straight 6 engine has greatly reduced the crankshaft length and engine size, so as not to affect the original structure layout of the car as far as possible. The addition of 48V light mixing system can also reduce the pressure of the engine. The power output comparable to V8 strength, and can bring better fuel economy.

(image: official website of mercedes-benz)

Gm 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine

Representative model: GMC SIERRA

Although it is a diesel engine, but also used the in-line 6 cylinder layout. As a traditional American auto company, this six-cylinder engine represents the American people's exploration of the future. After all, the feelings and joy of V8 cannot be continued forever.

Equipped with diesel engine pickup trucks, torque pull strong, even the American market will not worry about the "emissions gate" issue, the diesel's reputation. With a "mere" 3.0-liter displacement compared to the V8, the straight 6 is cheap and easy to use, providing more economical fuel consumption.

General 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 (overhead valve)

Representative: Chevrolet corvette Stingray

Large displacement V8 naturally aspirated engine, typical American glory, by this also from the general motors 6.2 liter V8 naturally aspirated engine continued to stick. It's still on the list, but it's a slight improvement on the previous one, with a new Chevrolet corvette Stingray.

Not only is gm sticking to the American version of the large-displacement V8, but the appeal of the new "civilian supercar" corvette, as well as the affinity of less than $60,000 (the basic price of participating models should not exceed $65,000), is worth extra points.

FCA 3.6 l naturally aspirated V6 +48V light mixing system

Representative model: Ram 1500

Compared to the 2019 ward 10, the new version adds a 48-v electrification system with a wider variable valve timing and two-stage variable valve lift. The application of these new technologies also further enhances the fuel economy of the power and optimizes the engine's NVH level. Fiat Chrysler's powertrains have been among ward's top ten, despite the company's troubled operations.

Ford's 2.3-liter turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder gasoline engine

Representative model: ford Mustang 2.3t

The engine is also a familiar sight. Back in 2015, ford first put a small 2.3t on the Mustang, causing quite a bit of controversy. But time has shown that ford was right. The 2.3t has significantly reduced taxes in China, and the focus RS has been well received in Europe. The T engine was not designed to neuter the Mustang's performance characteristics, but to scale new performance peaks.

(image courtesy of ford)

Nissan's 2.0-liter variable compression ratio inline four-cylinder gasoline engine

Representative model: nissan Altima (teana)

The 2.0-l variable compression ratio engine won awards with the infiniti QX50 and the new teana. The change of engine compression ratio, combined with atkinson cycle and alto cycle, makes the power more powerful at low compression ratio and better fuel economy at high compression ratio.

Honda 2.0-liter atkinson recirculated naturally aspirated in-line four-cylinder engine + i-mmd hybrid system

Representative model: Honda accord hybrid

Honda's i-mmd hybrid system managed to bypass the patent barrier of Toyota's THS system, and although the i-mmd still fell 1% short in terms of thermal efficiency, they were the best of the non-plug-in hybrid systems. Because China's policy on new-energy models is not conducive to the promotion of such models, Honda also plans to launch a plug-in hybrid model based on the i-mmd system to improve the vehicle's range in pure electric mode.

(photo: www.honda.com)

Hyundai 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine

Representative model: hyundai sonata

This year hyundai still holds two seats, proving that last year was no coincidence. In an environment of increasingly stringent emission standards, the potential of conventional fuel engines has been further tapped. Hyundai's 1.6t engine USES CVVD variable time varying intake and exhaust technology, the world's first production engine with similar intake and exhaust technology. It is expected to enter the Chinese market in 2020 with the 10th generation sonata.

Modern 150kW pure electric system

Representative model: hyundai KONA EV

It is the second modern car on the list and the only all-electric model. The overseas version of the KONA EV is the domestic version of the onsinuo pure electric model, after the domestic version of the NCM523 battery cell replaced the overseas version of the LG cell. The overseas version has a range of 449km under the WLTP standard, and the domestic version has a range of 500km under the NEDC standard.

(image courtesy of modern website)

Conclusion: there are still 4 new energy models in the top 10 of ward in 2020, among which the mainstream hybrid system shows a diversified attempt. In addition, BMW will be modular into the engine manufacturing, Mercedes chose to follow, this will be the next trend?