VR6 engine

The VR6 engines, commonly referred to as the “staggered six” is a 6-cylinder engine configuration developed by VW. The name VR6 comes from the combination of German words “Verkürzt” and “Reihenmotor” meaning “shortened inline engine”. 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 6 cylinders, much like a traditional inline-6 engine.

Not to be confused with Nissan VR engine.
VR6 engine
1991–1995 Volkswagen Corrado 2.9 litre engine
Overview
Production1991-present
Layout
Displacement2.5–3.6 L (153–220 cu in)
Valvetrain1991–2002: 12 valves
2000–present: 24 valves
Combustion
Fuel typePetrol

Volkswagen Group introduced the first VR6 engine in 1991 and VR6 engines currently remain in production. From 1997 to 2006, Volkswagen also produced a five-cylinder VR5 engine based on the VR6.

Description
Diagram showing the differences in port lengths between a V6 and VR6


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.

Volkswagen engines
Frontal views of a straight engine (diagram "a"), V engine (diagram "b") and VR engine (diagram "c")
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.[1] 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.

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 81.0 mm (3.19 in) and a stroke of 90.3 millimetres (3.56 in), for a total displacement of 2.8 L (171 cu in). In 1994, a 2.9 L (177 cu in) ABV version was introduced in some European countries, with an increased bore of 82.0 mm (3.23 in).

The V angle between the cylinder banks is 15°, and the compression ratio is 10:1.[2] The crankshaft runs in seven main bearings and the journals are offset 22° to one another, in order to accommodate the offset cylinder placement.[3] This also allows the use of a 120° firing interval between cylinders.[4] The firing order is: 1, 5, 3, 6, 2, 4.[5] The centerlines of the cylinders are offset from the centerline of the crankshaft by 12.5 mm (0.49 in).

The valve sizes are 39.0 mm (1.54 in) for the intake and 34.3 mm (1.35 in) 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.[6] 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).[7] 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 was the first narrow angle V engine to be used in a motor vehicle.[8][9]

The first versions of the VR6 engine were introduced in the 1991 Volkswagen Passat B3 sedan and Volkswagen Corrado coupe.[10] A 2.8 L (171 cu in) AAA version producing 128 kW (172 hp) was used in most Passat models and in the North American version of the Corrado. A 2.9 L (177 cu in) ABV version producing 140 kW (188 hp) was used in the Passat Syncro model and the European version of the Corrado. Both versions used 2 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. The 2.8 litre version was also used in the 1996-2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638) commercial vans, where it was designated as 'M104.900'.

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

An AQP/AUE version with 4 valves per cylinder was introduced in 2000. This 2.8 L (171 cu in) engine produced 150 kW (201 hp), and mostly replaced the 2 valve engines, except for in North America where an updated version of the 2 valve engine was used in the Golf and Jetta from 2000 to 2002.

A 3.2 L (195 cu in) EA390 version of the 4 valve engine was introduced in the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle RSi model. Versions of this 3.2 litre engine was also used in the 2002-2004 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32 model and the 2003-2010 Audi TT 3.2 VR6 quattro models. Peak power output was 165 kW (221 hp) in the New Beetle (engine code AXJ), 177 kW (237 hp) in the New Beetle and Golf (engine code BFH/BJS), and 184 kW (247 hp) in the Audi TT (engine code BHE).

The engine size was again increased in 2005, when a 3.6 L (220 cu in) 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 206 kW (276 hp). A 3.2 L (195 cu in) AXZ version producing 184 kW (247 hp) was introduced in 2006.[11] In 2008, an uprated BWS version of the 3.6 litre engine producing 220 kW (295 hp) was introduced in the Volkswagen Passat (B6) R36 model.[12]

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 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 brand new VR6 (still EA390) for Chinese market only, its 2,5Litre Turbocharged 24v VR6 220 kW (295 hp) and 500 nm of torque for Volkswagen Teramont SUV and new Volkswagen Talagon MPV

Applications

Volkswagen Group automobiles:

Other manufacturers:

W engines
Main article: 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 is constructed from two VR6 engines mated together at an angle of 72 degrees. Although Volkswagen has not produced a VR4 engine, nonetheless it briefly produced a W8 engine from 2001 to 2004.

The largest Volkswagen W engine is the W16 engine introduced on the Bugatti Veyron in 2005. This engine uses an angle of 90 degrees between the two VR8 engines, and has four turbochargers.

Other manufacturers

Motorcycle manufacturer Horex has produced VR6 engines since 2012.[15][16]

References
  1. "VW's V5 and VR6 engines". heritagepartscentre.com/uk/. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  2. Clemens, Kevin (15 October 2006). VW GTI, Golf, Jetta, MK III & IV. St. Paul, MN: Motorbooks International. p. 22. ISBN 0-7603-2595-2.
  3. Raven, Gregory; Erickson, Chad (18 May 2011). Water-Cooled VW Performance Handbook: 3rd Edition. MBI Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 978-1610601993.
  4. Barber, Thomas. "Horex VR6 motorcycle". Motorcycle Daily. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  5. Schenck, M (1991). Automotive Design Engineering. Century Press.
  6. "Volkswagen's VR6 Engine". www.automobilemag.com. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  7. "R32 3.2 VR6 EA390 Engine Specifications". www.motorreviewer.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  8. "Part I: V-engines". www.topspeed.com. 29 July 2006. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  9. "Theme: Engines – Divine Inclination". www.driventowrite.com. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  10. "VW's new 496bhp 3.0-litre VR6 engine". www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  11. "The Passat (sales brochure) - 3.2 FSI VR6" (PDF). Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited. Volkswagen.co.uk. 1 December 2008. pp. 14, 18, 24. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  12. "The Passat (sales brochure) - 3.6 FSI VR6" (PDF). Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited. Volkswagen.co.uk. 1 December 2008. pp. 11, 12, 14, 19, 24. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  13. "2009 Artega GT - Review - Car and Driver". caranddriver.com. 22 June 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  14. "Internal Combustion Engine Counterbalance Truck|H50 – H80 EVO" (PDF). Linde Material Handling. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  15. "Horex VR6". www.roadandtrack.com. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  16. "The Horex VR6 Raw is a V6 Two-Wheeled Monster". www.rideapart.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
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