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VR6 engine

{{Distinguish|Nissan VR engine}}

{{Infobox automobile engine

| image = 2.9VR6 140kW ABV Corrado.jpg

| caption = 1991–1995 Volkswagen Corrado 2.9 litre engine

| production = 1991–2024{{cite news |last=Padeanu |first=Adrian |date=2024-12-19 |title=Volkswagen Has Built Its Final VR-6 Engine |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/744935/volkswagen-ends-vr6-engine-production/ |website=Motor1 |publisher=Motorsport Network |location=US |access-date=2024-12-20}}

| displacement = {{convert|2.5|-|3.6|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}}

| valvetrain = 1991–2002: 12 valves
1999–2024: 24 valves

| supercharger =

| turbocharger =

| fueltype = Petrol

}}

The VR6 engine is a six-cylinder engine configuration developed by Volkswagen. The name VR6 comes from the combination of German words "Verkürzt" and "Reihenmotor" meaning "shortened inline engine" referring to the VR-engine having characteristics of inline layout but shortened. It was developed specifically for transverse engine installations and FWD (front-wheel drive) vehicles. The VR6 is a highly compact engine, thanks to the narrower angle of 10.5 to 15 degrees between cylinder banks, as opposed to the traditional V6 angles ranging from 45 to 90 degrees. The compact design is cheaper to manufacture, since only one cylinder head is required for all six cylinders, much like a traditional inline-6 engine.

Volkswagen Group introduced the first VR6 engine in 1991 and VR6 engines remained in production until late 2024. Volkswagen also produced a five-cylinder VR5 engine based on the VR6.

Description

File:Kleppen_VR6-motor_12V-contrast.PNG

VR6 engines share a common cylinder head for the two banks of cylinders. Only two camshafts are needed for the engine, regardless of whether the engine has two or four valves per cylinder. This simplifies engine construction and reduces costs.

Since the cylinders are not located on the centreline of the combined cylinder head, the lengths of the intake and exhaust ports are different for each bank. Without compensation, these varying port lengths would result in the two banks of cylinders producing different amounts of power at a particular engine RPM. The difference in port lengths are compensated for with the length of the runners in the intake manifold, the camshaft overlap and lift profile, or a combination thereof.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

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Volkswagen engines

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction= vertical

| width= 220

| image1= L V VR6 engines.svg

| caption1= Frontal views of a straight engine (a), V engine (b) and VR engine (c)

| image2= Stand VR6-motor-contrast.PNG

| caption2= Top views of a straight engine (left), V engine (centre) and VR engine (right)

}}

The Volkswagen VR6 engine was designed for transverse engine installations in front-wheel drive vehicles.{{cite web |title=VW's V5 and VR6 engines |url=https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/uk/ |website=heritagepartscentre.com/uk/ |access-date=19 November 2019 |date=3 August 2017}} The narrow angle of 15° between the two cylinder banks reduced the width of the engine, compared to a traditional V6 engine. Therefore, the VR6 engine is easier to fit within an engine bay that was originally designed for a four-cylinder engine.{{citation needed|reason=A V6 is shorter than I4, so that would be easier to fit as well, would it not?|date=November 2022}}

= 12-valve versions =

Early VR6 engines had two valves per cylinder (for a total of twelve valves) and used one camshaft for the intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder bank (without the use of rockers).

The first Volkswagen VR6 engine uses the AAA version. It had a bore of {{convert|81.0|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} and a stroke of {{convert|90.3|mm|in|2}}, for a total displacement of {{convert|2.8|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}}. In 1994, a {{convert|2.9|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} ABV version was introduced in some European countries, with an increased bore of {{convert|82.0|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}.

The V angle between the cylinder banks is 15°, and the compression ratio is 10:1.{{cite book|last1=Clemens|first1=Kevin|title=VW GTI, Golf, Jetta, MK III & IV|date=15 October 2006|publisher=Motorbooks International|location=St. Paul, MN|isbn=0-7603-2595-2|page=22}} The crankshaft runs in seven main bearings and the journals are offset 22° to one another, in order to accommodate the offset cylinder placement.{{cite book|last1=Raven|first1=Gregory|last2=Erickson|first2=Chad|title=Water-Cooled VW Performance Handbook: 3rd Edition|date=18 May 2011|publisher=MBI Publishing|isbn=978-1610601993|page=41}} This also allows the use of a 120° firing interval between cylinders.{{cite news|last1=Barber|first1=Thomas|title=Horex VR6 motorcycle|url=http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/03/the-new-horex-motorcycle-with-vr6-engine-a-technical-analysis/|access-date=23 June 2014|work=Motorcycle Daily}} The firing order is: 1, 5, 3, 6, 2, 4.{{cite book|last1=Schenck|first1=M|title=Automotive Design Engineering|date=1991|publisher=Century Press}} The centerlines of the cylinders are offset from the centerline of the crankshaft by {{convert|12.5|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}.

The valve sizes are {{convert|39.0|mm|2|abbr=on}} for the intake and {{convert|34.3|mm|2|abbr=on}} for the exhaust. Since the two rows of pistons and cylinders share a single cylinder head and head gasket, the piston crown (or top surface) is tilted. The engine management system is Bosch Motronic.

= 24-valve versions =

A version with four valves per cylinder (for a total of 24 valves) was introduced in 1999.{{cite web |title=Volkswagen's VR6 Engine |url=http://www.automobilemag.com/news/volkswagen-vr6-engine/ |website=www.automobilemag.com |date=21 July 2010 |access-date=20 November 2019}} The 24-valve versions use one camshaft for the intake valves of both banks (using rockers to reach the furthest bank) and the other camshaft for the exhaust valves of both banks (again, through the use of rockers).{{cite web |title=R32 3.2 VR6 EA390 Engine Specifications |url=https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=120 |website=www.motorreviewer.com |access-date=19 November 2019 |language=en}} This operating principle is more akin to a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) design, with one camshaft for intake valves, and one for exhaust valves.

= History =

The 1922–1976 Lancia V4 engine and 1922–1939 Lancia V8 engine were the first narrow angle V engines to be used in a motor vehicle.{{cite web |title=Part I: V-engines |url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/engine-s-history-ar11139.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200127174925/https://www.topspeed.com/cars/engine-s-history-ar11139.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 27, 2020 |website=TopSpeed.com |date=29 July 2006 |access-date=20 November 2019}}{{cite web |title=Theme: Engines – Divine Inclination |url=https://driventowrite.com/2014/08/29/lancia-fulvia-v4-engine-profile-2/ |website=www.driventowrite.com |access-date=20 November 2019 |date=29 August 2014}}

The first versions of the VR6 engine were introduced in the 1991 Volkswagen Passat B3 sedan and Volkswagen Corrado coupe.{{cite web |title=VW's new 496bhp 3.0-litre VR6 engine |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/scoop/vws-new-496bhp-30-litre-vr6-engine |website=www.autocar.co.uk |access-date=20 November 2019}} A {{convert|2.8|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} AAA version producing {{convert|128|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} was used in most Passat models and in the North American version of the Corrado. A {{convert|2.9|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} ABV version producing {{convert|140|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} was used in the Passat Syncro model and the European version of the Corrado. Both versions used two valves per cylinder. Usage of the VR6 engine spread to the Volkswagen Golf Mk3 2.8 VR6 and Volkswagen Vento/Jetta (A3), 2.8 VR6 models in 1992, and high specification versions of the Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra MPVs. The 2.8 litre version was also used in the 1996–2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638) commercial vans, where it was designated M104.900.

In 1997, the VR5 engine was introduced, based on the VR6 engine.

An AQP/AUE version with four valves per cylinder was introduced in 2000. This {{convert|2.8|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} engine produced {{convert|150|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}}, and mostly replaced the two-valve engines, except for in North America where an updated version of the two-valve engine was used in the Golf and Jetta from 2000 to 2002.

A {{convert|3.2|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} EA390 version of the 4 valve engine was introduced in the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle RSi model. Versions of this 3.2 litre engine were also used in the 2002–2004 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32 model, the 2003-2010 Audi TT 3.2 VR6 quattro models and the 2003-2009 Audi A3 8P 3.2 VR6 Quattro(US Models). Peak power output was {{convert|165|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} in the New Beetle (engine code AXJ), {{convert|177|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} in the New Beetle and Golf (engine code BFH/BJS), and {{convert|184|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} in the Audi TT(engine code BHE) and Audi A3 8P(engine code BDB / BMJ / BUB).

The engine size was again increased in 2005, when a {{convert|3.6|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} version with gasoline direct injection (FSI) was introduced in the Volkswagen Passat (B6). This BLV version uses a narrower 10.6 degree angle between the cylinder banks and produces {{convert|206|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}}. A {{convert|3.2|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} AXZ version producing {{convert|184|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} was introduced in 2006.{{cite web|title=The Passat (sales brochure){{dash}}3.2 FSI VR6|url=http://cdn.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/common/pdf/brochures/passat-saloon-brochure.pdf|work=Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited|publisher=Volkswagen.co.uk|pages=14, 18, 24|date=1 December 2008|access-date=31 July 2009}} In 2008, an uprated BWS version of the 3.6 litre engine producing {{convert|220|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} was introduced in the Volkswagen Passat (B6) R36 model.{{cite web|title=The Passat (sales brochure){{dash}}3.6 FSI VR6|url=http://cdn.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/common/pdf/brochures/passat-saloon-brochure.pdf|work=Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited|publisher=Volkswagen.co.uk|pages=11, 12, 14, 19, 24|date=1 December 2008|access-date=31 July 2009}}

The base model Porsche Cayenne (9PA) used 3.2-liter VR6 engine from 2003 to 2006 and then a 3.6-litre VR6 engine from 2008 to 2010. Then the next generation Porsche Cayenne (92A) also used a 3.6-litre VR6 engine from 2010 to 2018.

Volkswagen had started to phase out VR engines in favour of downsized turbocharged four cylinder engines. In 2017, the VR6 engines made an unexpected comeback, with versions of the 24-valve VR6 engines being produced for the Volkswagen Atlas. Volkswagen also made a new VR6 (still EA390) for the Chinese market only, its 2.5-litre turbocharged 24-valve VR6 producing {{convert|220|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} and 500 N⋅m of torque, for the Volkswagen Teramont SUV and Volkswagen Talagon MPV.

Applications

Volkswagen Group automobiles:

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Other manufacturers:

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  • 1995–2000 Ford Galaxy Mk I
  • 1996–2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638)
  • 1997–2005 Winnebago Rialta/Vista/Itasca Sunstar
  • 2006– Yes! 2
  • 2009–2012 Artega GT{{cite web|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2009-artega-gt-review|title=2009 Artega GT{{dash}}Review{{dash}}Car and Driver|website=caranddriver.com|date=22 June 2009 |access-date=9 April 2018}}
  • Linde Forklifts (fuelled by liquefied petroleum gas){{Cite web|title=Internal Combustion Engine Counterbalance Truck{{!}}H50 – H80 EVO|url=https://www.linde-mh.com/media/Datasheets/EN_ds_h50_h80_396_en_k_0720.pdf|access-date=23 November 2020|website=Linde Material Handling}}

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= W engines =

{{main|W engine}}

Volkswagen Group has produced several W engines based on combining two VR engines on a common crankshaft. The first W engine to reach production was the W12 engine which has been produced since 2001. The W12 engine can be thought of as two VR6 engines an angle of 72 degrees. Although Volkswagen has not produced a VR4 engine, it produced a W8 engine from 2001 to 2004, which can be thought of as two VR4 engines on a common crankshaft.

The largest Volkswagen W engine is the W16 engine introduced on the Bugatti Veyron in 2005. This engine can be thought of as two VR8 engines at an angle of 90 degrees. It additionally has four turbochargers.

Other manufacturers

Motorcycle manufacturer Horex has produced VR6 engines since 2012.{{cite web |title=Horex VR6 |url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a4581/silodrome-horex-vr6/ |website=www.roadandtrack.com |access-date=19 November 2019 |date=24 May 2013}}{{cite web |title=The Horex VR6 Raw is a V6 Two-Wheeled Monster |url=https://www.rideapart.com/articles/272814/horex-vr6-raw-v6-motorcycle/ |website=www.rideapart.com |access-date=19 November 2019 |language=en}}

References

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{{Commons category|Volkswagen VR6 engine}}

{{VR6 engine}}

{{piston engine configurations}}

Category:Volkswagen Group engines

Category:Piston engine configurations

Category:V6 engines

Category:Gasoline engines by model

Category:1991 introductions

Category:V engines