VR6 engine

VR6 engines are V6 piston engines with a narrow angle

between the cylinder banks and a single cylinder head VR6 engine
covering both banks of cylinders.

Volkswagen Group introduced the first VR6 engine in 1991

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

Contents
Description
1991-1995 Volkswagen Corrado 2.9 litre engine
Volkswagen engines
12-valve versions Overview
24-valve versions Production 1991-present
History Layout
Applications Displacement 2.8–3.6 L (171–220 cu in)
W engines
Valvetrain 1991-2002: 12 valves
Other manufacturers 2000-present: 24 valves
References Combustion
Fuel type Petrol

Description
The name VR6 comes from the German initials for a V engine
(German: V-Motor) and a straight (inline) engine (German:
Reihenmotor), therefore the VR engine is described as a "Vee-Inline
engine" (VR-Motor).

VR6 engines shares 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
Diagram showing the differences in
simplifies engine construction and reduces costs.
port lengths between a V6 and VR6

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
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 Frontal views of a straight engine
valves) and used one camshaft for the intake and exhaust valves of (diagram "a"), V engine (diagram "b")
each cylinder bank (without the use of rockers). and VR engine (diagram "c")

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°
Top views of a straight engine (left),
firing interval between cylinders.[4] The firing order is: 1, 5, 3, 6, 2,
V engine (centre) and VR engine
4.[5] The centerline of the cylinders are offset from the centerline of (right)
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 each bank (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 2000-2002.

A 3.2 L (195 cu in) EA390 version of the 4 valve engine was introduced in the 2001 Volkswagen New
Beetle RSi model. 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 177 kW (237 hp) in the New
Beetle and Golf (engine code BFH/BML), 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 2003-2006 and then a 3.6-litre VR6
engine from 2008-2010. Then the next generation Porsche Cayenne (92A) also used a 3.6-litre VR6 engine
from 2010-2018.

Volkswagen is currently phasing out VR engines in favour of downsized turbocharged engines, however the
VR6 currently remains in production for the Volkswagen Passat (NMS) sedan models sold in China and the
Volkswagen Atlas SUV.

Applications
Volkswagen Group automobiles:

1991-1995 Volkswagen Corrado

1991-2015 Volkswagen Passat B3, B4, B6 and B7 generations
1992-1998 Volkswagen Golf Mk3
1992-1999 Volkswagen Vento/Volkswagen Jetta Mk3
1995-2000 Volkswagen Sharan
1996-2003 Volkswagen Transporter (T4)
1996-2010 SEAT Alhambra (7M)
1999-2004 Volkswagen Golf Mk4
1999-2006 Volkswagen Bora/Volkswagen Jetta Mk4
2000-2004 SEAT León (1M)
2001-2003 Volkswagen New Beetle RSi
2002-2016 Volkswagen Phaeton
2002-2018 Volkswagen Touareg
2002-2018 Porsche Cayenne E1 and E2 generations
2003-2009 Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
2003-2013 Audi A3 (8P)
2003-2010 Audi TT Mk1 and Mk2
2005-2008 Volkswagen Golf Mk5 R32
2006-2011 Volkswagen Eos
2008-2017 Volkswagen CC
 2008-2010 Škoda Superb (3T)
2008-2015 Audi Q7 (4L)
2011-2018 Volkswagen Passat NMS
2017-present Volkswagen Atlas

Other manufacturers:

1995-2000 Ford Galaxy Mk I

1996-2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638)
1997-2005 Winnebago Rialta/Vista/Itasca
2009-2012 Artega GT[13]
Linden Forklifts (fuelled by propane)

W engines

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
2001-2004.

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.[14][15]

References
1. "VW's V5 and VR6 engines" (https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/uk/).
heritagepartscentre.com/uk/. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
2. Clemens, Kevin. VW GTI, Golf, Jetta, MK III & IV. St. Paul, MN: Motorbooks International.
p. 22. ISBN 0-7603-2595-2.
3. Raven, Gregory; Erickson, Chad. Water-Cooled VW Performance Handbook: 3rd Edition. MBI
Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 1610601998.
4. Barber, Thomas. "Horex VR6 motorcycle" (http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/03/the-new-h
orex-motorcycle-with-vr6-engine-a-technical-analysis/). Motorcycle Daily. Retrieved 23 June
2014.
5. Schenck, M (1991). Automotive Design Engineering. Century Press.
6. "Volkswagen's VR6 Engine" (http://www.automobilemag.com/news/volkswagen-vr6-engine/).
www.automobilemag.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
7. "R32 3.2 VR6 EA390 Engine Specifications" (https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engi
ne_id=120). www.motorreviewer.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
8. "Part I: V-engines" (https://www.topspeed.com/cars/engine-s-history-ar11139.html).
www.topspeed.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
9. "Theme: Engines – Divine Inclination" (https://driventowrite.com/2014/08/29/lancia-fulvia-v4-en
gine-profile-2/). www.driventowrite.com. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
10. "VW's new 496bhp 3.0-litre VR6 engine" (https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/scoop/vws-new-
496bhp-30-litre-vr6-engine). www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
11. "The Passat (sales brochure) - 3.2 FSI VR6" (http://cdn.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/common/pdf/
brochures/passat-saloon-brochure.pdf) (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" (http://cdn.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/common/pdf/
brochures/passat-saloon-brochure.pdf) (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" (http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2009-artega
-gt-review). caranddriver.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
14. "Horex VR6" (https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a4581/silodrome-horex-vr6/).
www.roadandtrack.com. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
15. "The Horex VR6 Raw is a V6 Two-Wheeled Monster" (https://www.rideapart.com/articles/2728
14/horex-vr6-raw-v6-motorcycle/). www.rideapart.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.

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