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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, 2007 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 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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