Volkswagen kills the VR6

[OVERKILL]

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a63247890/volkswagen-vr6-engine-production-end/

In a post on LinkedIn, Volkswagen communications manager Andreas Schleith announced the sad news that every water-cooled VW fan had been dreading: the VR6 engine is dead. Volkswagen built its final engine in this six-cylinder configuration on December 12, 2024, completing a total production run just shy of 1.87 million units.

*SNIP*

After exiting the U.S. market in 2023, the engine soldiered on in a few crossover applications in China, but these have now switched to four-cylinder powertrains. Building fewer standardized powertrains in its products is better for VW's bottom line, especially with the transition to EVs. With the company's current financial woes, the move to axe the VR6 permanently comes as little surprise.

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Yet another sign of the times with a household name going to the dustbin in favour of tiny 4 cylinders and the anticipated transition to EV's.

I've never personally owned a VW (my sister has a VW SUV), but I understand that this engine had a bit of a following, so I'm sure it will be missed.

 

[rijndael]

I also just saw the new pricing on the Golf R ..... 50K.

 

[Propflux01]

This is a thing among pretty much all manufacturers now. small 4 cylinders with turbos and such.

 

[rijndael]

This is a thing among pretty much all manufacturers now. small 4 cylinders with turbos and such.

You bet it is. I was car shopping a few months ago and it was so disappointing to see all of the anemic powerplants. And, they're all so expensive. It was demotivating to have so few options.

 

[Titan]

I had VW's VR6 in a Jetta many years back. Really enjoyed that engine. Thinking of buying an In-line 6 now before they disappear...Mazda and BMW make a couple of good ones.

 

[rijndael]

VW better be careful their customers don't follow the lead of Dodge customers when they killed off the Hemi. VW isn't exactly in the best financial shape.

The Hurricane engine may better on paper, but a lot of folks don't want it.

 

[slo town]

The VR6 is a really nice engine. We have one in our 2016 Passat. That motor and the DSG transmission is what makes the car. Both the engine and trans are super responsive. The VR6 has a unique snarl at WOT and pulls strong all the way up to redline. It has nice sounding cold start bark as well.

Scott

 

[LouC]

Not a fan of smaller engines with turbos, give me a Hemi V8 or a Jeep inline 6.

 

[rijndael]

Yep, that's why this typical Honda/Toyota customer just bought a Ford Mustang GT. It's my first american car purchase, ever.

But, I'm in the minority, I get it.

 

[Trav]

VW needs to close the doors. Once the factories are shuttered the country goes down the toilet and the people are unemployed they may wake up but its too late, they got what they ordered with this Brussels crap.

 

[KCJeep]

I also had a Passat with a VR6 and DSG, the thing was a riot to drive and the sound was intoxicating.

 

[andrew_j]

I had a Corrado VR6 for short but and engine was really incredible engine. Sounded amazing.

 

[dfarr67]

Yep, that's why this typical Honda/Toyota customer just bought a Ford Mustang GT. It's my first american car purchase, ever.

But, I'm in the minority, I get it.

Toyota built some narly engines in the day.

 

[Propflux01]

You bet it is. I was car shopping a few months ago and it was so disappointing to see all of the anemic powerplants. And, they're all so expensive. It was demotivating to have so few options.

Yes, but I gotta admit, the 2.5L turbo I have in my CX-5 is not bad at all. Its no 440 Big block Hemi, but it'll do a good job passing those "compensation trucks" with the loud exhausts!

 

[rijndael]

Toyota built some narly engines in the day.

Both of my 3.5s, the J35 and 2GRFE, have been amazing.

Yes, but I gotta admit, the 2.5L turbo I have in my CX-5 is not bad at all.

Mazdas were high up on my list, but if I went that direction it'd be the Explorer ST. The Hybrid Assist on the CX9 was a deal killer for me.

 

[OVERKILL]

Yes, but I gotta admit, the 2.5L turbo I have in my CX-5 is not bad at all. Its no 440 Big block Hemi, but it'll do a good job passing those "compensation trucks" with the loud exhausts!

Interestingly, the DT RAM has similar 0-60 and identical 1/4 mile times to the CX-5 turbo, lol (but a higher trap speed by a whopping 1mph).

The Hurricane-powered RAM smokes both of them however:

 

[wbwanzer]

.... and and it was so disappointing to see all of the anemic powerplants.

My '23 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 2.5T engine is easily quicker than the '19 Kia Sorento (basically same vehicle as Santa Fe) with the 3.3 V6 that I had.

 

[Propflux01]

Interestingly, the DT RAM has similar 0-60 and identical 1/4 mile times to the CX-5 turbo, lol (but a higher trap speed by a whopping 1mph).
View attachment 255100

The Hurricane-powered RAM smokes both of them however:
View attachment 255101

The RAM V8 has an electric assist motor and the other has 2 more cylinders and twin turbo. I think my Mazda does pretty good then!

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Not a fan of smaller engines with turbos, give me a Hemi V8 or a Jeep inline 6.

Let me introduce you to the circa 1980s BMW M12. 1,400 HP from a turbo I4.

 

[TiGeo]

Have a 3.6VR in our Atlas, and my son's '98 GTI has the 2.8 12V VR. W8 is *kinda* a VR or at least is a VR-style engine with effectively a VR4 for each bank. VRs sound great and have that classic "wookie" sound with the right exhaust. Great engineering.