WardsAuto Names Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems for 2021

WardsAuto <http://wardsauto.com/>  has unveiled the annual Wards 10 Best
Engines & Propulsion Systems winners for 2021, and for the first time ever,
four battery-electrics, a hydrogen-powered battery-electric fuel cell, two
plug-in hybrids, and a full hybrid make the list, along with two
turbocharged internal-combustion engines.

The Wards 10 Best list has recognized 27 years’ worth of engines and have
thoroughly recognized powertrain teams for their ability to dial up more
power, more torque, and better efficiency.

This year, 39 vehicles were evaluated in the spring, and 18 of them were
electrified. There were 14 4-cyl. engines, 11 6-cyl. engines, 10 full
hybrids, 8 BEVs, and 3 plug-in hybrids.

While evaluating the vehicles, only powertrains that are all-new, or
significantly improved, are eligible for testing. The 2020 class of Wards 10
Best Engines & Propulsion Systems winners all made the cut, leaving only the
Hyundai Kona as a return winner (completing a 3-peat).

“The fact that so many fresh battery-electrics and hybrids have come to
market – while clean-sheet combustion engines are hard to come by – means
this year’s list was bound to tilt toward electrification. But that would
only happen if those electrified entries pushed our buttons and truly
impressed us,” says WardsAuto Managing Editor Tom Murphy.

“It’s our job to compile a list of powertrains that truly sell the car, that
are thrilling to drive and technologically relevant. We believe this list
succeeds on all fronts. Our list needs to be more about charting where the
automotive powertrain world is going, not where it’s been.”

The winners are scored based on horsepower, torque, NVH management, observed
fuel economy, and new technology onboard. That new technology must shine to
make the cut. A price cap for nominees that had been in place since 1995 has
now been removed.

2021 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems Winners (listed in
alphabetical order):

*       BMW 330e – 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC 4-Cyl.
*       Ford Mustang Mach-E – Electric Propulsion System
*       Ford F-150 Hybrid – 3.5L DOHC PowerBoost V-6
*       General Motors – Chevrolet Trailblazer – 1.3L DOHC Turbocharged
3-Cyl.
*       Hyundai Santa Fe – 2.5L DOHC Turbocharged 4-Cyl.
*       Hyundai Kona EV – Electric Propulsion System
*       Porsche Taycan – Electric Propulsion System
*       Stellantis – Jeep Wrangler 4xe – 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC 4-Cyl. PHEV
*       Toyota Mirai – Hydrogen Fuel-Cell System
*       Volvo – Polestar 2 BEV – Electric Propulsion System

Winners will be honored during the Wards 10 Best & Engines & Propulsion
Systems awards ceremony on November 15 at Informa Tech Automotive Group’s
FOCUS: Electrification & Advanced Propulsion conference, which is co-located
with Automotive Tech Week. The event will take place at Suburban Collection
Showplace in Novi, Michigan. Learn more about the event and book your ticket
by visiting https://wardsauto.informa.com/auto-tech-week/  Members of the
press are subject to free attendance.

ABOUT WARDSAUTO

WardsAuto is a world-leading provider of automotive editorial, insights, and
analysis, having served the industry’s information needs for more than 90
years. A Southfield, MI-based Informa Tech business, WardsAuto provides a
forward-looking perspective on all aspects of the automotive business, from
the tech center to the plant floor to the showroom. As a part of our parent
organization, Informa Tech, our mission is to bring together the entire
ecosystem of those in technology and automotive to accelerate the future of
our industries. Subscribe to WardsAuto by visiting http://www.wardsauto.com
<http://www.wardsauto.com> .

ABOUT INFORMA TECH AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

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Group, visit https://wardsauto.informa.com/