W engine
The W engine is an engine configuration in which the cylinder banks resemble the letter W in the same way a V engine resembles the letter V. A W12 design was originally pursued by Audi, who later abandoned the project. Volkswagen successfully created the first W12 by combining two VR6 engines. They went on to produce the W16, used to power the 623 horsepower Bentley Hunaudières prototype. A W8 engine was also produced for use in the Passat. The major advantage of these engines is packaging, i.e., they contain high numbers of cylinders but are relatively compact.
An experimental W18 engine was produced, but was found to be infeasable. Unlike Volkswagen's other W engines, the W18 was not based on the VR engine technology.
Referenced By
Engine configuration
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