GM Takes 2 Wards' Top 10 Engine Awards - Nope, Not Duramax

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
12/15/2015

General Motors has scored two "Top Ten Engines" awards from WardsAuto. The first is a favorite of this writer, the 3.6-liter V6 found in the all-new Chevrolet Camaro. The 3.6-liter, normally aspirated engine has been around a while, but it has improved like a fine wine. Drew Winter, director, Content at WardsAuto said of the engine, “The 3.6 delivers the kind of power (335 hp) and lusty exhaust note you associate with a V-8 for the price of a V-6. Plus, it’s loaded with advanced technology, including fuel-saving cylinder deactivation.” Personally, I like it because it offers great power, torque and fuel economy and does not have a turbocharger. Even better, the specs you see, and the fuel economy numbers posted by EPA, all use regular unleaded as the fuel.

The second engine is the 2016 Volt's new 1.5-liter range extender. I like it because to me, suffering range anxiety in an affordable car while trying to be green seems ridiculous. GM's Volt idea made sense when Lutz came up with it, and it makes a lot more sense now that electricity is more expensive as a fuel than is gasoline. Mr. Winter said of the Volt's "propulsion system", “General Motors has taken what already is the most innovative and disruptive propulsion system in the auto industry and made it lighter, stronger and a lot more fun to drive. In fact, the new Voltec system delivers the impossible: an exciting electric car with zero range anxiety.”

 

How about that? Two stories in a week about engines and we still have not mentioned the Duramax - Oops!

[Doug_Scott]

Lutz did not come up with the idea of packing a genset with an electric vehicle. Locomotives have been this way for decades. The only difference is locomotives don't store electricity. The Volt and diesel electric locomotives both use only electric motors for drive, their fossil fuel engines only generate electricity. I would imagine there are millions of people that can recall thinking of doing this when they were kids. I know I did. Talking of the concept here, not the technical design.

[bigsierra]

We can only image what would have been Kappa's fate if GM had this V6 option available back in the day? IMO...it would have been perfection.