No idea, but it's a v, albeit a narrow one with a single head. The only way to be an inline is to be in a line - just how I rationalize it. It's why they put "V6" on them.
Volkswagen kills the VR6
- Thread starter OVERKILL
- Start date
V6, I6, VR6 cranks
Actually it is considered either or both and equally close to either. V = V motor R= Reihenmotor or inline 6 =6 cylinders. The VR6 uses 7 main bearings on its short crank making it exceptionally strong.
For the English-speaking markets they should have called it the IV6. Inline-V6.
Most People knowing this Exactly, but with current politicals it won't change. Merkel did a good job by destroying Germany by opening borders to mass immigrations from third world countries. Aslo VW have serious management issues.
Can you remotely correlate this useless trivia to the VW VR6?
EU policy affects the European car industry a lot. VW is cutting costs right now. The VR6 is an old engine that has been off the European market for years. VW's biggest market is in Europe, and maybe sees the manufacture of the engine as uneconomical.
China.
Yes, thats true. Was focused on the western market(America and Europe)
The China market changes are affecting everyone. We are at an inflection point.
The VR6 first hit the market in 1991, but there there were spy pictures of it running around in a Corrado prototype dating back into the earlier part of the 80s. It had a long gestation.
The basic design was conceived probably at least 40-years ago, it's thirsty, and it was phased out of most markets, including its home market, because nobody was buying it.
It's an old, thirsty and slow selling engine, that was already past its sell-by date back in 2015.
That's the kind of writing on the wall that can't be ignored regardless of who made it, or current market trends.
Too bad the writer of this piece didn't bother to read the one in his own publication before writing his piece to fit the current narrative, and make it sound (to some, at least), like the sky is falling because VW finally killed something that effectively died years ago, but managed to survive in hospice for a few years more.
The basic design was conceived probably at least 40-years ago, it's thirsty, and it was phased out of most markets, including its home market, because nobody was buying it.
It's an old, thirsty and slow selling engine, that was already past its sell-by date back in 2015.
That's the kind of writing on the wall that can't be ignored regardless of who made it, or current market trends.
Too bad the writer of this piece didn't bother to read the one in his own publication before writing his piece to fit the current narrative, and make it sound (to some, at least), like the sky is falling because VW finally killed something that effectively died years ago, but managed to survive in hospice for a few years more.
Hard to beat the sound though...
No doubt. Not criticizing the engine for what it is, or in any sense whatsoever.
It's simply VW retiring a venerable design, that was conceived a long time ago, and with different priorities.
The same would happen with any other OEM, under the circumstances, both micro and macro.
I would not consider it a referendum on VW, or the state of the industry.
lol
For the Atlas (and Cayenne and Toureg) the reason VW used the 3.6, to me/my guess is....
The biggest motor in their arsenal and had a reasonable tow rating vs. all the 4 cylinder turbos and it had reasonable hp/tq. They had already used it in the CC and Passat so it was "vetted" and it didn't require a completely new engine to be developed. I think that's why it hung in so long over here. I like it, it's smooth and has reasonable power for the size vehicle but mpg are certainly crappy by today's standards. Cool thing is b/c the Atlas is on the MQB platform, that 3.6 VR will swap into my Sportwagen!
The biggest motor in their arsenal and had a reasonable tow rating vs. all the 4 cylinder turbos and it had reasonable hp/tq. They had already used it in the CC and Passat so it was "vetted" and it didn't require a completely new engine to be developed. I think that's why it hung in so long over here. I like it, it's smooth and has reasonable power for the size vehicle but mpg are certainly crappy by today's standards. Cool thing is b/c the Atlas is on the MQB platform, that 3.6 VR will swap into my Sportwagen!
I agree. IMO it stuck around so because the cost:value of certifying a new engine wasn't there.
I think their I5 architecture is worlds better but would have needed heavy cost reduction.
I always wanted to make a VR6 powered supercar. While I'm not well enough to do it now, 15 years ago or so, the idea was given serious consideration.
Something like this car with a VR6 turbo instead of a Chevy V8:
Something like this car with a VR6 turbo instead of a Chevy V8:
I have driven VR6 and VR5-powered vehicles. Very capable in normally aspirated configuration. With turbo or supercharger (not a tiny G-Lader) something else. Some quirks regarding maintenance like most high-performance engines. As a very small and compact engine it was fitted in cars unsuitable for regular V6 or I6 engines. That means the engine compartment is often rather crowded with a VR6 and getting to components may require extra work. I did some work on my friend's B4 Passat. Not an engine for those who crave simplicity and lack the drive/skill to work on an "off-brand Euro" engine. The oddball was the Winnebago Rialta RV based on the VW Eurovan. Was great for a camping/sightseeing trip with three snouts total. Best sounding 'Bago ever. Dad's Phaeton has the W8 which is basically two joined VR4 engines
By the way, VW did not inevnt the narrow-angle V engine ,with a single head. Lancia, another "off-brand" Euro marque did that some 100 years ago.
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