[sureshkishore]

Amongst affordable petrols Maruti 1.2 KB12 wins hands down. One of the few engines suzuki developed, that is truly class leading.

It is super refined, efficient, and in addition to the rev happy nature you can easily purr around the city because of the decent low end. Has a nice note too. 8 years old and still it remains the best engine in the segment.

Affordable diesel engine, I need to give credit to a Detroit Diesel oil burner.

Accent CRDi engine was a game changer back in 2002 because it brought Turbocharged CRDI engine to the masses. Didn't last for long though due to emission norms.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by GeneralJazz

Suzuki G16B

The G16B powering the MS Baleno was a fantastic motor.

Ah! Was about to mention about this. Nothing more to add.

A raw picture of the same:



The one that powers my Baleno that I drive still.

[Ashley Nair]

Originally Posted by Radiator

Slightly different opinion, but nothing like the 2.5L that powers the Bolero range(not the XD3P). It is tougher than nails, both in DI and CRDe avatars and has extremely simple mechanicals.
This engine was one of the biggest reasons for the Bolero's success, both in commercial as well as passenger segment.

Right to the hilt. These hardy engines power thousands of Boleros and Marshals, especially around the Himalayas. In spite of gross neglect to maintain and poor fuel, they chug on quite unconcerned. In fact, I feel that it is not the 1.3 multijet but this 2.5 DI which need to be referred as the national engine of India

[gkveda]

They say, King Entry is always at the last in a battle field. So, now comes, Qualis (No offense to any other cars or car owners)

Most of us have heard the legendary stories of Qualis Engine. There are stories that
1. Qualis Engines that have run more than 10 Lakhs Kilometers and still going strong.
2. Qualis Engines are fixed in Motor Boats and are used constantly for navigations
3. Most taxi drivers whoever I meet admires Qualis car even today (after 15 years of end of production)for their bullet proof Engines.

I even today miss my Qualis and regret the decision of selling it in spite of owning its younger brother Fortuner at Home.

[Santoshbhat]

VAG's 1.8 TSI deserves an entry in this thread.

The engine was first seen in the Laura and Superb TSIs with 160 PS and 250 NM. With the next gen, power got bumped up to 180 PS but torque was limited to 250NM due to DSG gear box limitations. The latest iteration was seen in the Polo GTI with 192 PS, which I believe, is the highest factory tuning for this engine in India, and peak torque of 250NM available from as low as 1,250 rpm, going right up to 5,300 rpm. An absolute gem of a petrol engine! Happy to run on 91 octane petrol without any problems and everready to uptune itself whenever it got 97 octane!

[revver]

From my personal experience, I prefer Naturally aspirated ones.

Erstwhile Fiat Palio 1.6 & Ford Fiesta 1.6 engines are right up there.

Both free revving units & packs a punch. Fantastic sounding ones as well.

Most notably, their power bands are much more accessible than the VTEC's in daily use.

[click]

Original Honda Vtec 1.5

Enough has been already said about the power and delivery of this engine. But one thing stands out is the reliability. Not even once in the 17 years we owned the Honda City, has this engine needed any looking at. She worked relentlessly like a workhorse. The only reason we had to let go the car is because the body has rusted quite a bit and we were tired of getting body panels remade. Part of me still wishes we had still kept the car and spurred on a whole new body kit and interiors. But the luxuries offered by the new sedans were too many for the family to resist. Still miss the car and this ever reliable engine.

[ac 427]

the sweetness/smoothness of the 1.2 vtec, that powers my little brio is amazing.

Also at higher revvs, that engine used to sing. A quality that you don't get on these little engines. Probably it being a 4 cyl unit helped.

But i haven't driven a small Indian car with that level of smoothness.

[arindambasu13]

Originally Posted by ac 427

the sweetness/smoothness of the 1.2 vtec, that powers my little brio is amazing.

Also at higher revvs, that engine used to sing. A quality that you don't get on these little engines. Probably it being a 4 cyl unit helped.

But i haven't driven a small Indian car with that level of smoothness.

The K12 is pretty equal and better in some respects as compared to the 1.2 VTEC. I owned both simultaneously and love both these engines. Continue to own the Brio today, in addition to the newer 1.5 iVTEC on the City.

Quite apart from the mechanical attributes, I am yet to find a tight enough parking slot where the little Brio cant squeeze itself into.

[PrasannaDhana]

Here are my favorites

2 engines which I have extensively used in multiple iterations.

1. 2.2 liter Turbo diesel from Tata

Iterations used :

2.2L 120 BHP 250 Nm in my Sumo Grande - 93,000 km - 0 issues
2.2L 138 BHP 320 Nm in my Safari Dicor - 1,40,000 km - 0 issues
2.2L 154 BHP 400 Mm in my Storme V400 - 19,000 km - 0 issues

Latest iteration in my Safari Storme V400



Pulls like a freight train, reasonably refined and very reliable!

2. Fiat's 1.3 MJD

Iterations used :

75 BHP 190 Nm in my Swift - 90,000 km - 0 issues
58 BHP 140 Nm in my Beat (same engine with 1 cylinder less) - 91,000 km - 0 issues
89 BHP 200 Nm in my Ciaz - 1,10,000 km - 0 issues

Latest iteration in my Ciaz 1.3 MJD



Ultra reliable, uber efficient and versatile.

My favorites from the cars in extended family

1. VAG 1.6 TDI :
1,00,000 km on a VW GT TDI Polo and 1,60,000 km on a Skoda Rapid. Both cars still perform like rockstars at that mileage. It's a fantastic engine that I have enjoyed so much, except that the NVH could have been a bit better. They are very fuel efficient too.

2. 2.2 liter turbo diesel from Mahindra : Have not used it much but have driven the XUV 500 a few times. Wonderful performance, I would rate it better than the 2.2 of the Tata

[vigsom]

Adding the 1ZZFE engine that did duty in the Corolla from 2003 to 08 and in the Altis from 2008-10.

The USP of this engine was its durability. Add to that its ability to deliver power and fuel efficiency based on individual driving styles.

[Labrador]

The 1.5L Petrol which came in my Etios sedan was an absolute hoot to drive! Rated at 90 PS but with a low kerb weight of the car meant it was an absolute slingshot. Flooring the pedal used to put a wide smile on my face, paired with short gears it remains till date one of my favorite engines in a car and can even pass off as a budget enthusiast's choice if one ignores the sad looking design.

[aargee]

To me these are THE BEST engines; even today, they're of, rebuild it, fit it & abuse it type. Nothing, not even my C250R engine comes close to it. And what's best part? Apart from riding pleasure, you get the second best thing - best music in ears; envious eyes are third best thing to happen!!

[mayankk]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

I'd add the 1.6 Duratec on the Ford Fiesta

An underdog engine because there's not a lot of familiarity with it. You only fall in love after you've spent at least 100+ kilometres with it. Short sprints dont see people taking it past 3K. However, it really came into its own when really railing it past 4-5K in every gear, but most apparent in 3rd.
That linear surge of power, and that Rawrrrr!! I miss my car!

[WhiteKnight]

Just curious, is there any engine that ever sold in India not listed yet?

If we're talking about the best engines, we could categorize them to 3

Best naturally aspirated Petrol- I'd say 1.5 VTech from first generation Honda City.
What is wrong with Suzuki 1.2? They don't stand against their own 1.3, in terms of versatility. Just try a hill climb with cars with these engines with similar powers, and you'll know.

Best Turbo petrol- 1.8 TSI VW/Skoda, in all states of tune.
What about VW 1.2 TSI? Just drive both back to back, you'll know which is better.

Best Diesel- Renault 1.5 K9K, especially at 85 bhp avatar. Very reliable, and mileage friendly. Fiat 1.3 is no match in refinement and durability. Hyundai 1.6 is good, but I personally feel the older 1.5 was more refined. Agree there are more powerful engines out there, but being diesel, we need to give points to wider use.