American muscle has still got it.
The V8 engines that power the Ford Mustang Dark Horse and Chevrolet Corvette Z06 were named to the Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems list for 2023. The list was dominated by six hybrid and all-electric drivetrains.
Wards considers a variety of factors for its ratings including power, efficiency, smoothness and innovative technology. Thirty-two entries qualified for consideration this year.
“No one is lifting off the internal-combustion (ICE) pedal. With more than a dozen all-new or significantly upgraded ICEs on our nominee list, and two big, naturally aspirated V8s making our winners’ list,†WardsAuto editor-in-chief Bob Gritzinger noted. “We’re seeing the end of the ICE era, but those engines aren’t going out without making some noise.â€
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The Mustang’s 5.0-liter V8 is rated at 500 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful 5.0-liter Ford V8 ever. The Corvette’s has an even more impressive claim to fame.
The 5.5-liter engine’s 670 hp rating makes it the most powerful production naturally aspirated V8 in history, thanks in part to its exotic flat-plane crankshaft design and 8,500 rpm redline.
The only other motor from an American brand on the list was Lucid’s electric propulsion system. According to the EPA, the Lucid Air Touring model that uses it is rated at the equivalent of a 140 mpg gasoline powered vehicle, which ties it with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (also on the list) as the most efficient on sale today.
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The Lucid and Hyundai electric propulsion systems were the only two repeat winners from last year. Only all-new and previous top 10 systems qualify.
Here is the full top 10 in alphabetical order by brand:
BMW M2 – 3.0L Turbocharged 6-Cyl.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – 5.5L V-8
Dodge Hornet R/T – 1.3L Turbocharged 4-Cyl. PHEV
Ford Mustang Dark Horse – 5.0L V-8
Honda Accord Hybrid – 2.0L 4-Cyl. HEV
Hyundai Ioniq 6 – Electric Propulsion System
Lucid Air Touring – Electric Propulsion System
Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 – 2.0L Turbocharged 4-Cyl.
Nissan Ariya – Electric Propulsion System
Toyota Prius Prime – 2.0L 4-Cyl. PHEV