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General Motors Media Press Release

FOR RELEASE:  Jan. 6, 1999
CONTACT:  Dan Greene, GM Powertrain
Phone:  248-857-0163

GM Powertrain places two engines in Ward’s Top 10

PONTIAC, Mich. — General Motors Powertrain won two honors in Ward’s Communications “Best Engines of 1999” competition at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on the merits of two distinctly different engines.

Ward’s, publisher of Ward’s Auto World and Ward’s Engine and Vehicle Technology Update, cited GM’s all new 3.5 liter Twin Cam V6 and the gutsy 5.7 liter LS1 Corvette V8 as among the world’s best engines for 1999.

Ward’s criteria includes a range of customer driveability factors such as horsepower, torque, technical relevance to the vehicle and low levels of noise, vibration and harshness.

“This recognition from Ward’s Communications shows that GM Powertrain designs and builds great engines,” said Arv Mueller, GM vice president and group executive of GM Powertrain. “The awards reflect GM Powertrain’s excellence in both cam-in-block and overhead cam engine technology.”

Ned McClurg, GM vice president and general manager of Powertrain Engineering said, “Designing and engineering engines today is about customer expectations. These awards tell us we are designing and building the right engines for the market segments.”

GM Powertrain’s Livonia, Michigan engine plant uses leading edge agile manufacturing technology to produce the DOHC 3.5 liter Twin Cam V6. The all-aluminum 90-degree V6 delivers 215 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 230 lb. ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. The 3.5 liter Twin Cam V6 is exclusive to the Oldsmobile Intrigue for the 1999 model year.

“This premium multi-valve V6 is our next step in making the Intrigue the best performance sedan in its class,” said Intrigue Brand Manager Ken Stewart. “And, with the Ward’s honor for one of the best engines of 1999, we feel we have accomplished what we set out to do.”

Configured as an oversquare overhead valve V8, the LS1 has been a favorite of performance enthusiast since its introduction in 1997. Corvette’s application of the LS1 churns out 345 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 350 lb. ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. The LS1 features aluminum blocks and cylinder heads and is manufactured at GM Powertrain’s engine facility at Romulus, Mich.

“Corvette is America’s performance icon,” said Corvette Brand Manager Jim Campbell. “The Ward’s honor confirms what our customers have been telling us--that the LS1 V8 engine delivers on the promise of our Corvette brand.”

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