VOLKSWAGEN’S ALL-NEW TURBOCHARGED 1.8-LITER ENGINE NAMED TO “2014 WARD’S 10 BEST ENGINES” LIST

New EA888 Gen 3 turbocharged and direct-injection powerplant recognized by coveted award
• Offers five mpg improvement on the highway for Jetta automatic, to 36 mpg
• Seven additional pound-feet of torque compared with outgoing 2.5-liter five cylinder, delivered 2750 rpm lower
• Engine weighs less than previous version of EA888
• Built at all-new Silao, Mexico factory

Herndon, VA -  On the heels of the introduction of the new EA888 engine in the 2014 Jetta and Passat, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its new turbocharged, direct-injection four cylinder has been named to the “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” list for 2014. The WardsAuto editors tested more than 40 vehicles and honored the all-new engine for its unique combination of refinement, power, value, and fuel economy.

“The all-new EA888 continues Volkswagen’s legacy of developing intelligently downsized engines that offer state-of-the-art technology, tremendous value and exhilarating performance,” said Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neußer, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand and Head of Group Powertrain Development Volkswagen AG. ”The new turbocharged 1.8-liter reinforces the brand’s leadership position, raising the bar in the market by providing an unmatched combination of power and fuel economy. This distinction is further validated by the honor from WardsAuto.”

“There are lots of good four cylinder turbocharged engines in the U.S. market, but VW’s all-new 1.8-liter is the new benchmark,” said Tom Murphy, Executive Editor, WardsAuto World magazine. “Judge it on refinement, power, affordability and fuel economy, and it becomes clear this engine is second to none.”

Designed to be lighter and more efficient than the previous 2.5-liter five cylinder, the new EA888 Gen 3 turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder powerplant features a number of refinements. Built at Volkswagen’s new engine factory in Silao, Mexico, part of Volkswagen’s ongoing $5 billion investment in North America, the 1.8-liter version produces 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The horsepower is the same as the outgoing 2.5-liter engine, but it makes seven pound-feet more torque at 2750 fewer revs. The new EA888 offers up to a 17 percent decrease in fuel consumption while providing even better acceleration.

The 1.8-liter turbocharged four cylinder is currently available in the 2014 Jetta and Passat. Beginning in early 2014, the Beetle will also offer the all-new powertrain. The 2.0-liter version of the engine made its debut in 2013 in the Beetle R-Line and Jetta GLI, boasting a 10 horsepower improvement for an output of 210.

Marking two decades of the “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” competition, the editors of WardsAuto tested 44 vehicles and scored each engine based on a number of factors including power, refinement, drivability, fuel economy, innovation, and affordability. Eligible engines must be all-new or significantly improved and be available in a production vehicle by the first-quarter of 2014.

Volkswagen and Audi have so many of the finest engines it is certainly a plus when others like Ward's give them credit for their work. The Turbo Diesels and Turbo gasoline engines are developing amazing numbers for horsepower and toque. Then add the fuel economy of the complete line up of VW and Audi vehicles and few can beat them


Bruce Hubbard
Bonnie Lynch
Bradley Hubbard
Auto Advisor Group