Two General Motors Engines Included In Best Engines List

Anthony Fontanelle
December 17, 2007

As part of its turnaround plan, Detroit automaker General Motors is undertaking several steps to create automotive technologies that will attract consumers to visit their dealerships. One of this is the development of new engines. Apparently, the automaker's dedication to that particular task has succeeded as they are the only automaker to have two engines included in Ward's AutoWorld magazine's 2008 "Ten Best Engines" list for North America according to The Auto Channel.

The first of the two powerplants is the Vortec 6.0 liter Gen IV small block V8 hybrid engine which comes with the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon Hybrid. The aforementioned powerplant receives wide praise in the automotive technology for giving full size SUVs good fuel economy. The second powerplant to make it to the list is the 3.6 liter V6 VVT with direct injection. The said feature is an important one as it reduces the amount of fuel consumed by the engine. The second engine is being used in the 2008 Cadillac CTS. Another achievement for the automaker is the accolade given to the CTS by Motor Trend magazine giving it the title of being the 2008 Car of the Year.

Tom Stephens, General Motors’ group vice president for Global Powertrain and Quality, had this to say about their achievement: "We are pleased Ward's has recognized our commitment to improving fuel economy without compromising the performance and capability that our customers demand in their cars and trucks."

The all-new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the GMC Yukon Hybrid made waves in the automotive industry after General Motors announced that the full size SUVs are powered by a fuel efficient engine and a powerful electric motor. According to the automaker, the said hybrid SUVs can achieve the same gas mileage than a smaller sedan with a four-cylinder engine. The Vortec 6.0 liter V8 engine produces 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 revolutions per minute. These are not the only good things about the engine as it is also designed to run efficiently using regular unleaded fuel.

The other engine, a 3.6-liter V6 VVT, is also a fuel efficient engine is made as reliable as Isuzu radiators. According to the automaker, the said V6 engine can produce as much as 304 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Cadillac CTS equipped with the said V6 engine achieves 17 mpg for city driving and 26 mpg on the highway.

Source:  Amazines.com