Discussion: The 10 best engines in the past 2 decades

I came across this article on Jalopnik and I think it is a good discussion. You see, engine is what moves the car. It is the heart of car, what gives a car its character. Some people even fall in love and buy a car based on the engine alone (power, beauty,  and sounds) even if it's not reliable. This list is great however, I have some honorary mention engines too or ones that should have made to the list as well. Here they are:

1) W16 

     

Producing 1006 HP, this W configuration is achieved from joining two VR8 engines and using four turbochargers.Volkswagen developed this engine to fulfill their ambition of making the best car in the world and it contributes hugely on making the Bugatti Veyron goes to 60 in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 268.8 mph. The Veyron still hold to world record as the fastest production car, beating the Hennessey Venom GT. What an achievement by the VAG. 

Photo credit: SuperFLoh

2) VR6 

Another brilliant engine from the VAG and this one in the picture found in a 2005 Volkswagen Passat. More usage of this engine is also found in Jetta, Beetle, Touareg, Golf R32 and Audi TT, A3 and Q7. The design of this engine combines both the design of V6 engine and "Reihenmotor" (meaning straight motor or inline motor) 6 engine, creating VR6 creating a compact and light engine like an inline 4 engine, but with the 6 cylinders power. It sounds good too!

Photo credit: Benutzer:Andy-Corrado

3) 13B 

Last honorary mention goes to, Mazda's Wankel rotary engine. This engine was in production for 30 years and most remembered for powering the FB, FC, and FD RX-7. It is a small and compact engine with only 1308 cc displacement, but as it evolves and with the help of turbochargers, it produces 280hp on its last day of production in 2002. Sadly, the tighter emission rule forced Mazda to discontinue this rev-happy-engine.

Photo credit: Mazda