4 Automakers Reviving the Inline-6 Engine
▼ Summary
– Inline six-cylinder engines are returning to the market, differing from V6 engines by having all cylinders in a single straight line.
– Inline six engines are simpler to produce, requiring only one cylinder head and one exhaust manifold instead of two.
– They offer extremely smooth operation without the need for balancing shafts, which reduces cost and development.
– Inline six engines are more efficient due to inherently lower energy losses from smoother operation.
– BMW has continuously developed inline six engines since 1917, while other automakers are now introducing new versions.
A quiet but significant shift is underway in the automotive world, one that brings back a classic engine configuration. Several major automakers are reviving the inline-six engine, a straight-six layout that offers distinct advantages over the more common V6 design. Unlike a V6, which splits its cylinders into two angled banks, the inline-six arranges all six cylinders in a single, straight row.
The engineering benefits of this approach are substantial. An inline-six engine is inherently simpler to manufacture because it requires only one cylinder head and one exhaust manifold, versus the two of each needed for a V6. This simplicity translates directly into a smoother, more refined operation. The engine’s natural balance eliminates the need for costly balancing shafts, and its efficiency is higher due to reduced internal friction and lower energy losses. These factors make the inline-six a more elegant and effective solution for power and drivability.
Before highlighting the newcomers, it’s impossible to ignore the brand that has championed the inline-six for over a century: BMW. The company built its very first inline-six, an aircraft engine, just a year after its founding in 1916. Its first automotive inline-six followed in 1933. Since then, BMW has relentlessly refined the architecture, pushing it to remarkable levels of efficiency and power output. Now, a growing list of automakers is following that lead, introducing fresh inline-six engines to the market.
(Source: SlashGear)
