VR6
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15°_VR6.gif
15° VR6 top view
60°_V6.gif
60° top view
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 174 hp DIN (128 kW) and 240 Nm (177 lb.ft) 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 204 hp DIN (150 kW) and 265 Nm (195 lb.ft) 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 DIN (184 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb.ft) of torque in TT trim. A new 3.6 L VR6 producing 280 hp DIN (206 kW) will be made available for the new generation US market VW Passat from 2006. The European market Passat will, at least initially, receive the 250 hp DIN (184 kW) 3.2 L VR6.
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Usage
The VR6 was used by Volkswagen in:
- VW Golf Mk.III and Mk.IV
- VW Passat (B4 chassis)
- VW Vento/VW Jetta Mk.III
- VW Bora/VW Jetta Mk.IV
- VW Corrado
- VW Phaeton
- VW Touareg
- VW Transporter T4 and T5
- VW Sharan/SEAT Alhambra/Ford Galaxy
As stated above, new 280 hp (206 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
- Volkswagen's VR6 and W-engines (http://www.autozine.org/technical_school/engine/tech_engine_packaging.htm)
- Volkswagen's VR6 Engines (http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/1108/faq.vr6.html)de:VR-Motor