Before I get myself into trouble or before some of you call me an elitist, send me a hate mail and/or anthrax, let me just say that I am neither a union historian nor an automotive industry expert. I am just regular guy who worked hard to be where I am now and have a passion about cars and the auto industry.

Now that the lawyers are happy, let’s get to it…

Those of you who follow the news, current events or haven’t been living in a cave in the last couple years understand that our economy is in a hole, and a pretty big one at that. Due to that reason, the already-fragile domestic automotive industry is now facing the biggest challenge ever since the car was invented over 100 years ago. Back in the days when Detroit was booming, the Big Three were able to offer attractive health benefit and retirement packages. Assembly lines were not as automated as today so they needed a lot of workers to do monkey-see, monkey do kind of jobs on the line. As a result, people without an advance diploma or a set of skills could easily get a job working for the Big Three and enjoy their so-called “middle-class life” or “American Dream”.

The situation was rosy back then, cars were sold in bunches so the auto companies were more than willing to pay the kind of wages that those workers probably didn’t deserve. Unfortunately, those assembly line workers took it for granted and their union, the UAW (United Auto Workers), has since has become a “voice for blue-collar brothers” in the auto industry and has literally held the companies up for ransom up until today.

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Wards has just announced the ten best engines award for 2008, and the winners are:

• Audi AG: 2.0L TFSI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (A4 Avant)
• BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (135i Coupe)
• BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (335d)
• Chrysler LLC: 5.7L Hemi OHV V-8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T)
• Ford Motor Co.: 2.5L DOHC I-4 HEV (Escape Hybrid)
• General Motors Corp.: 3.6L DOHC V-6 (Cadillac CTS)
• Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.5L SOHC V-6 (Accord Coupe)
• Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.: 4.6L DOHC V-8 (Genesis)
• Toyota Motor Corp.: 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)
• Volkswagen AG: 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Jetta TDI)

Overall I think this is a good list, the only engine that I don’t think it’s deserved to make the list is Audi’s 2.0T I4. I had a previous generation Audi A4 for 2 weeks back in 2007 and came away very disappointed, the reason is due to the craptaculour turbo lag. I am the kind of guy who admires simplicity over complexity especially if both achieve the similar result; that’s why I was never a fan for any force induced engines. More components in the engine bay means higher probability on things to break and not to mention the legendary “lag” for turbo engines. However, after driven the BMW 335i with the 3.0 twin-turbo I6 my view has been changed a bit, even though there is still a slightest lag when step on the gas hard but this minor shortcoming does not out shadow the overall excellent performance. So when I got a chance to drive the A4 for 2 weeks initially I was really excited, but I learned quickly that not all turbo engines are created equal and now I am a firmer believer that natural aspirated is the way to go (especially with similar performance).

Another one that probably does not belong to be on the list is the Honda 3.5L V6. Although a capable engine and a good one in its own right it just does not measure up against the newer generation V6 from Toyota, Nissan and even GM. Last but not least, kudos to Hyundai for having the 4.6L Tau V8 made the list, based on all the articles it seems like that V8 is just as good as any in the auto industry today.

(Source: Wards)

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