The 2013 Ward’s 10 Best Engines awards have been announced, and the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 that propels the new Cadillac ATS claimed a spot on the list.
Ward’s 10 Best Engines honors traditional gas engines at a time when fuel efficiency regulations make the competition among them tougher and add pressure from hybrids and plug-ins. They considered 40 engines from 16 different car makers, and selected winners based on factors like refinement, fuel efficiency, innovation, and power. For the second year, half of the engines are four-cylinder, while only 7 years ago, the four-cylinder engine wasn’t even mentioned.
The 2.0L turbocharged engine in the Cadillac ATS is boasts the highest output of any GM production engine, with 272 horsepower, or 136 horsepower per liter. The aerodynamic design and lighter weight of the ATS also help give it a zero-60 time of 5.9 seconds and estimated fuel economy of 21/31 city/highway mpg.
Other impressive features of the engine in the Cadillac ATS include the twin-scroll turbocharger with air-to-air intercooler, jet-spray piston cooling in the two-stage variable displacement oil pump, four valves per cylinder with continuously variable timing, and the forged-steel crankshaft with modular balance shaft system.
According to Tom Murphy, executive editor of WardsAuto.com, “The 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder is a stout performer that impressed all the WardsAuto editors. It muscled its way back into the winners’ circle with remarkable horsepower per liter, and the engineers deserve kudos for reducing engine friction some 16 percent, which means it runs smoother and more efficiently.”
While the 2.0L four-cylinder was the award winner, the Cadillac ATS is also offered with a standard 2.5L four-cylinder and an available 3.6L V6. For questions about pricing and availability of the Cadillac ATS and its options, call Don Ledford Automotive in Cleveland at 423-476-1191. We also invite you to stop by our dealership, just a short drive from Chattanooga, for a test drive of the ATS or any other quality GM vehicle.