DETROIT (Dec. 12, 2007) -Nissan's VQ37VHR engine has been named to the 10 Best Engines list by Ward's Automotive Group, marking the 14th straight year a VQ series engine has earned that distinction. It is the only engine that has been included every year since the award began in 1995.
Ward's evaluated the VQ37VHR, mated to a six-speed manual transmission, in the 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe. The G37 marks the first application of the new 3.7-liter V6 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift). Rated at 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, the new engine contains approximately 35 percent new and unique parts from the Infiniti G35 sedan's VQ35HR engine, which was included in Ward's 10 Best Engines for 2007.
Along with utilizing a larger displacement than the previous 3.5-liter powerplant, the G37 Coupe's VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to help improve performance and response. The VVEL system is also expected to improve emissions and fuel efficiency.
The engine also features increased cylinder block height (from the previous 3.5-liter design), ladder frame construction for greater rigidity, large crank journal and pin diameters, asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, an electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" throttle system, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, Iridium spark plugs and a symmetric twin air intake system.
A new, specially tuned dual exhaust system has been designed with equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust backpressure to help improve engine breathing. Both intake and exhaust enhance driving pleasure with their authentic performance notes.
This year, six editors from Ward's Automotive Group scored 37 engines in a number of objective and subjective parameters. To qualify for the award, the engine must be available in a regular-production, U.S.-specification model on sale no later than the first quarter of 2008 in a vehicle priced no more than $54,000, a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.
The Ward's 10 Best Engines awards will be presented on January 16, 2008 at a ceremony in Detroit during the North American International Auto Show.
About Ward's Automotive Group
Ward's Automotive Group, a Southfield, Mich.-based division of Penton Media, has been a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis for more than 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals globally. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis Ward's produces. Other Ward's titles include: the twice-monthly newsletter Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update, the weekly newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, monthly magazine Ward's Dealer Business and a wealth of reference annuals, online databases and customized data reports.
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