SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 16, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WardsAuto (http://www.wardsauto.com) today announced it has renamed its Wards 10 Best Engines competition to Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems, to reflect the increasing diversity in automotive powertrains. Hundreds of industry executives will celebrate WardsAuto’s 25th anniversary of this award during special events today at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.
“We’ve been thinking about a name change for many years because we need to better reflect the growing variety of engines and propulsion systems in the automotive market,” said Tom Murphy, managing editor at WardsAuto.
“In 2018 and 2019, four of the 10 Best Engines’ winners had electrified powertrains – that means hybrids, battery-electrics, even hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electrics. We’ve been recognizing electrified powertrains since the Toyota Prius made our list in 2001. We look forward to a future filled with engines and propulsion systems that thrill us with outstanding performance and groundbreaking technology.”
This year’s winners (in alphabetical order by brand):
- 3.0L (B58) DOHC Turbocharged I-6 (BMW X5)
- 6.2L OHV V-8 with DFM (Chevrolet Silverado)
- 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT/Bullitt)
- 3.0L DOHC TurboDiesel V-6 (Ford F-150)
- 2.0L DOHC Atkinson i-VTEC 4-Cyl./HEV (Honda Accord Hybrid)
- 120-kW Fuel Cell/Electric Propulsion System (Hyundai Nexo)
- 150-kW Propulsion System (Hyundai Kona EV)
- 2.0L DOHC VC-Turbo 4-Cyl. (Infiniti QX50)
- 2.0L DOHC Atkinson 4-Cyl./HEV (Lexus UX 250h)
- 3.6L DOHC Pentastar eTorque V-6 (Ram 1500)
To commemorate the new name and the 25th anniversary of the award, a private reception was held this morning prior to celebrating the 2019 winners.
“It’s a real tribute to Wards that the 10 Best Engines has achieved its 25-year milestone,” said Dan Nicholson, vice president of Global Propulsion Systems at General Motors Co. “Our company has been celebrating its victories for the entire 25 years. It is a real motivation to our teams to receive this prestigious award.”
Today’s festivities included recognition of past winners from every automaker, a video history of the awards and videos created by many of the winning automakers reflecting on 25 years of powertrain development and the challenges ahead. Those videos, along with a series of guest articles, will appear on WardsAuto.com in the coming months.
Also speaking at today’s 25th anniversary event was Bill Visnic, former technical editor at WardsAuto and creator of the Wards 10 Best Engines competition. The new name for the awards will take effect with the 2020 competition, which begins this fall.
ABOUT WardsAuto
WardsAuto is a world-leading provider of automotive insights and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 90 years. A Southfield, MI-based Informa 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. Its services include the premium wardsintelligence.com resource and suite of customizable data reporting tools, the WardsAuto Interiors and Wards Intelligence Outlook and Focus Conferences, and digital newsletters and magazines. Subscribe to WardsAuto and attend its events by visiting http://www.wardsauto.com.
ABOUT INFORMA
Informa PLC is a leading, international business to business information services Group, operating in over 30 countries. We create transaction-led exhibitions and content-based events, specialist data, intelligence and marketing services products, as well as scholarly research and specialist reference-led academic content. Our products and services help businesses and professionals connect, learn, do business and gain an edge over the competition. Informa is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3af9ba9-50f8-4865-a024-c2e518973921