VR6 is an engine configuration developed by the Volkswagen Group. It is similar to the V engine, but with the cylinders offset from each other and tilted by 15° instead of the usual 60°. The name, VR6 comes from a combination of Vee and the German word Reihenmotor. The combination of the two can be roughly translated as "in-line Vee."
The VR6 was specifically designed for transverse installation in front wheel drive vehicles. By using the narrow 15° VR6 engine, it was possible to install a six-cylinder engine in existing Volkswagen models. A wider V6 engine of conventional design would have required lengthening existing vehicles to provide enough crumple zone between the front of the vehicle and the engine, and between the engine and the passenger cell. In addition, the VR6 is able to use the firing interval of an Inline-6 engine. As a result, it is nearly as smooth as an Inline-6.
The narrow angle between cylinder banks also allows just two camshafts to drive all of the valves, and a single cylinder head to be used. This simplifies engine construction and reduces costs. In early (12 valve) VR6 engines, one camshaft is used per bank of cylinders. This is most similar to the operation of a SOHC V6 engine. However, later (24 valve) VR6 engines use one camshaft for all intake valves and one camshaft for all exhaust valves. This is most similar to a DOHC Inline-6 engine.
There are several different variants of the VR6 engine. The original VR6 engine displaced 2.8 L and featured a 12 valve design. These engines produced 178 hp (133 kW) and 177 lb/ft (240 Nm) of torque. This engine was first introduced in the 1992 VW Corrado. In 2002, the 24 valve 2.8 L VR6 was introduced in the VW Golf and VW Jetta/VW Bora. This engine produced 200 hp (149 kW) and 195 lb/ft (264 Nm) of torque. For 2004, a high performance 3.2 L version of the engine was introduced in the VW R32 and Audi TT. This variant produced 250 hp (186 kW) and 236 lb/ft (320 Nm) of torque in TT trim. A new 3.6 L VR6 producing 280 hp (209 kW) will be made available for the US and Canadian market VW Passat.
Usage
The VR6 was used by Volkswagen in:
As stated above, new 280 hp (209 kW) 3.6 L VR6 will be available in the next generation VW Passat. In addition, it is rumored that this engine will be used in a new high-performance Golf variant called the VW R36 .
The 3.2 L version of the VR6 is also used in other Volkswagen Group products, namely:
The Porsche Cayenne, which shares its chassis with the VW Touareg, also uses the 3.2 L VR6 as its base engine.
Other applications of VR6 technology
Volkswagen has developed a series of engines which use narrow angle designs mated together at 90 degrees. For example, two VR6 engines mated together at 90 degrees result in a W12 configuration, which is significantly shorter than a V12 engine but only marginally wider. W8 and W16 designs were developed in a similar fashion.
See Also
External Links
Last updated: 08-22-2005 16:15:17
