Aluminum alloys having improved properties are provided. The alloy includes about 8 to about 12 weight percent silicon, about 0.5 to about 1.5 weight percent copper, about 0.2 to about 0.4 weight percent magnesium, 0 to about 0.5 weight percent iron, about 0.3 to about 0.6 weight percent manganese, 0 to about 1.5 weight percent nickel, and 0 to about 0.5 weight percent zinc. Aluminum may be present in an amount between about 80 and 91 weight percent. The alloy may include about 0.1 to about 0.5 weight percent each of trace elements such as titanium, vanadium, and/or zirconium, and up to about 0.25 weight percent of all other trace elements. In addition, the alloy may contain about 0.03 to about 0.1 weight percent of strontium, sodium, and/or antimony, and up to 5 ppm phosphorus. Also disclosed is a high pressure die cast article, such as an engine block.