Which manufacturer is making the best engines today?

"Deputy Kovacs" (grandbudapest)
10/11/2013 at 16:43 • Filed to: None

Earlier this week I wrote something on Audi and their success within the last few years on their engine offerings. For everyday car buying choices, I felt like Audi had been doing a great job across their entire range, including the base 2.0 four cylinder turbo up to their thunder inducing 4.0 twin turbo V8 in the S8.

In the comments someone had the typical answer of Ferrari being on a bit of a hot streak too, which is undeniable but didn't come to my mind immediately. The 458 V8 is great. I haven't driven it, but I've raced one on the highway while in a 997S and was treated to a nice soundtrack while looking at those three horizontally placed pipes, and can assure you it's wicked fast. The new 6.5 V12 in the FF, F12 and soon to be in the LaFerrari (I kick myself every time I have to say that damn name) is certifiably mental. Clarkson thinks the F12 is too powerful, Motor Trend says the car can't put all it's power down, and we're yet to hear what Chris Harris thinks, if we ever will. LaFerrari should be interesting, even though I think it looks terrible and frankly I can't think of Ferrari in a good light ever since the truth came out in !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Alright, enough.

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So, BMW? BMW has always been known for their inline sixes, natural aspiration and for being the luxury-performance benchmark. That era ended in 2007 or so. Many could argue sooner but I'll just give it a ballpark. The current F10 5 series driving experience is the equivalent of swimming in lukewarm mayonnaise. The last (E90) M3 was heavy . And now, the M5 is a twin turbo V8 after we had the screaming V10 in the E60. But, we're hearing only good things about the upcoming M3/M4 brothers, the i8 is supposed to be good, especially the turbocharged 3 cylinder they have in there. And with the launch of the 'i' sub-brand, we see BMW moving ahead into more eco friendly engineering ahead of their competitors, to possibly have a leg up in performance and the market as a whole? It's all speculation at this point. All I do know is that BMW driving dynamics might not be living up to the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' motto that once was standard, but the engines are performing greatly. I think the enthusiast community as a whole is greatly anticipating the M3/M4.

I know there are many other brands that would be worth noting, but these were the first that came to mind. I wanted to mention BMW a) to piss people off because I know I'm wrong and b) I wanted to say Porsche but I don't want to get too Porsche heavy quite yet.

So opp0, am I right, wrong, senile, or just spot on? I hope it's none of those.

DISCUSSION (32)

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 16:48

The current Ferrari V12 is a 6.3.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 16:48

In my opinion for best engines overall, I'd have to say Ford Ecoboost engines have been making pretty good engines and they can be used in everything from performance like the ST to efficiency like that 1.0L Fiesta engine.

The GTR's engine has been pretty amazing too with how versatile it is to upgrades for Nissan to pull more power out of it.

But I'll miss the Mercedes 6.2L engine that's being cancelled soon apparently.

Team6.1 > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 16:48

Between the Ecoboost and the Coyote I think Ford would be worth mentioning in the lineup as well. Offering from a small turbo 4 to a 400hp+ V8, not to mention the blown shelby gt500/raptor, plus half or fully built crate engines.

Deputy Kovacs > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
10/11/2013 at 16:50

I was thinking about the Ford engines, but I have a slight bias toward the Germans just because I'm kind of a snob (at least I admit it). GT-R puts me to fucking sleep. Honestly. So damn fed up with that car. But the Merc 6.2 was really something else.

Deputy Kovacs > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
10/11/2013 at 16:54

Shit! You got me. Old one was a 6.5.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Team6.1
10/11/2013 at 16:55

WOO 5.0

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 16:55

Chevy is doing just awesome things with small block V8's in the Corvette.

Jay_Hoff > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 16:55

Nissan.

That V6 is so sweet sounding, I'd make love to it.

More Power!!and also some brakes. > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 16:56

I will throw GM in there. The new LT1 and the LF3 is quite the engine as well.

Deputy Kovacs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/11/2013 at 16:57

Right. Pushrods...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 16:58

Are you trying to imply that the new C7's engine isn't unbelievable what they can pump out of it?

Deputy Kovacs > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/11/2013 at 17:01

I'll give them credit, but it's like the evolution of surgery techniques from the civil war to today. At some point you need an entirely different approach and can only get so much from a certain method.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 17:02

No, I believe you're confusing it with the Lamborghini V12. The old one was a 6.0.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 17:08

I would have to say AMG. There V8s are so powerful, and unlike the Audi's they sound great and get 30 MPGs. Not to mention their bi turbo V12.

desertdog5051 > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 17:09

If you mean which makes the best engine for a stated use, I think that most manufacturers make great engines for the purpose that they serve. Econobox or high performance or somewhere in between.

Deputy Kovacs > desertdog5051
10/11/2013 at 17:10

Way to be hardo.

desertdog5051 > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 17:12

Missed that one.

Team6.1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/11/2013 at 17:22

5.GO It's so fun. Dumb ass 235 all season rears were no match

Cloud81918 > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 18:00

Representing 'Merca, Ford should be in the running. While they may not be the best. They have drastically improved their engines at all price levels. They make zillions of them as well. The Ecoboosts are all more than holding their own and the new V8 and V6 are as well.

While not offering much exotic, I can't help but at least nominate Ford.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > YSI-what can brown do for you
10/11/2013 at 18:20

30 mpg in what world? Not with me driving, I guarantee.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 18:27

GM. Hear me out.

The small block pushrod motors are great engines. They make a lot of power, they are very compact, they can sip fuel too. All other brands use a lot of technology, more expensive engines, get worse fuel economy, have a worse torque curve, are physically larger and reach the same exact end. The small block is the perfect example of a light, simple solution to a problem. If Colin Chapman were alive and looking for a v8 to put in a car, he would probably want a SBC.

GM also has the new Cadillac TT V6, which should put down plenty of power.

YSI-what can brown do for you > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
10/11/2013 at 18:28

Its more like 23 to 25ish. My car says it gets 30mpgs, I am getting 23.

mr. idk > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 18:31

Kinja'd!!!

IM SORRY. But which car company makes a 460 horsepower V8 that gets 29mpg??? Oh, and before you tell me that its allllllllllllll in the transmission, keep in mind that many LS7 Z06 owners get 30mpg on the highway, and that v8 makes more power & has .8 more liters.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > YSI-what can brown do for you
10/11/2013 at 18:32

Well first of all that SL65 Black has a v12, not a v8, and I don't see how the hell one would get more than 20 MPG out of one. On the highway, preferably downhill, with a cop behind you. What AMG do you have?

YSI-what can brown do for you > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
10/11/2013 at 18:39

I never said the SL65 AMG had a V8. I said "not to mention their V12s" and then posted a video of it.

I would like to mention I don't have an AMG, I am just saying that gas mileage numbers are bullshit...I actually own a FRS. My car says 30mpg but it really depends on how you drive.

Anyway, the E63 gets 24 or 25 mpg or something like that, not bad for 570hp.

DavidHH > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 18:55

As an Audi 4000q owner, I know Audi can make really good cars like mine. But having a combo alternator water pump is dumb, really really dumb....... As it makes a good engine suck quickly.

nlzmo400r > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 21:18

AMG has to be the winner right? Amazing sounding/performing v8s that give all of their cars character, both n/a and turbocharged. Even the previous gen supercharged 5.4l were AMAZING torque machines. And now a 2.oL 4cyl all aluminum, closed deck, forged bottom end 26psi from a twin scroll turbocharger making 340AWHP AND 360AWTQ...the answer HAS to be AMG.

Harrycarry250 > Deputy Kovacs
10/11/2013 at 21:59

The answer is always Mercedes...

Deputy Kovacs > Harrycarry250
10/12/2013 at 13:54

Oh yeah because their 3.5 V6 is quite technologically advanced, right?

Harrycarry250 > Deputy Kovacs
10/12/2013 at 21:06

If where talking about volume selling engines, then I'd say the M272 equally as advanced as any other engine in its category.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Team6.1
10/14/2013 at 09:25

I love my 5.0 in my 68. First year of the 5.0 I believe.

If you would like to hear mine rumble follow this link: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/montego-gets-l…

And if you would like pictures or info (dunno if you've seen any of my write ups) just search MONTEGO PROJECT on oppo. Should pull right up.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Deputy Kovacs
10/14/2013 at 09:46

OK so what's more impressive? using new technology to create 450+ hp, or antiquated tech to also make 450+ hp?

More over, they are getting fantastic gas mileage out of it.

Personally I find it impressive.