UNDER THE HOOD

Almost every automotive publishing group these days compiles a list of its top 10 cars. But for the real motorhead, the annual list that counts is Ward’s Communications Top 10 Engines. The winning entries were judged on such factors as horsepower, torque, fuel economy, noise, vibration, “drivability,” technical advances and even “how well they fit 1/8the style and purpose of 3/8 the vehicle they are used with,” says Bill Visnic, editor of Ward’s Engine & Vehicle Technology Update and one of six Ward’s editors who did the judging. This year, there were 31 nominees out of the estimated 700 varieties of internal-combustion engines used worldwide. The 10 best include the General Motors 3.5-liter V-6, pictured, which powers the 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue and the forthcoming 2001 Aurora. Descriptions of each winner are at https://www.wardsauto.com/best10.

Maker Engine (displacement/type) Key model

Ford 5.4-liter Triton SOHC V-8 Expedition

Ford 2.5-liter High-Output DOHC V-6 SVT Contour

DaimlerChrysler 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 Jeep Grand Cherokee

General Motors 5.7-liter LS1 OHV V-8 Chevy Corvette

General Motors 3.5-liter Twin-Cam V-6 Olds Intrigue

Nissan 3.0-liter VQ DOHC V-6 Maxima

DaimlerChrysler 3.2-liter SOHC V-6 Mercedes ML320

BMW 2.8-liter DOHC Inline-6 BMW 3-Series

BMW 3.2-liter DOHC Inline-6 BMW M Coupe

Toyota 4.0-liter DOHC V-8 Lexus GS 400

SOHC - single overhead cam

DOHC - dual overhead cam

OHV - overhead valve

COMING THURSDAY

A special edition of Highway 1 reviews the Year in Autos, assessing the record sales, key deals, trends and new cars and trucks that made a difference in 1999. Also: a preview of the 2000 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.