The W engine can thank Volkswagen A.G., extra generally often called VAG, for changing into a acknowledged engine configuration. It shot to fame in 2001 with the introduction of the W12 engine utilized by Volkswagen, Audi, and Bentley. However what’s a W engine, precisely? Just like the extra generally out there V engine, its title stems from its look. When seen from the entrance, the engine is formed like a W. Over the 12 months, the W engine has been out there in three-, six-, eight-, 12-, and 16-cylinder configurations. The largest ever was a W30, utilized in a Sherman tank throughout WW II.
The W form comes from three to 4 banks of cylinders utilizing the identical crankshaft, basically forming a double V motor.
W Engine Specs
As talked about earlier, the W motor will get its title from the cylinder financial institution association resembling a W. There have been a number of examples through the years utilizing three or 4 banks of cylinders. A bit-known truth is that the three-bank format was additionally known as a broad arrow, due to the resemblance. Nonetheless, VAG is accountable for the mass manufacturing of the W-type engine. For the needs of this text, we’ll stick with essentially the most generally used examples, all of which come from VAG.
Essentially the most well-known W engine configuration is the present W12, first launched sans turbochargers in 2001. VW constructed this engine by utilizing two VR6 engines mounted at a 72-degree angle. First utilized in an idea automobile, the unique W12 was then used within the 2001 Audi A8. The specs of the unique had been as follows:
- Naturally aspirated
- 5,999 cc, or 6.0-liters
- 414 horsepower
- 406 lb-ft of torque
W-engine Sorts and Variety of Cylinders
There have been quite a few makes an attempt at constructing a W-type engine for vehicles through the years, most of them unsuccessful. The three commonest variations are the W8, W12, and W16.
VW’s W8 engine is not in manufacturing, however it has an attention-grabbing story behind it. This engine was purported to be the large vendor in VW’s W engine vary. In reality, whereas testing the idea, VW used a W8 and never a W12. The W8 made a short-lived look within the 2001 W8 Passat, which proved to be a poor contender in its phase.
The W12 is essentially the most well-known, utilized in Volkswagen, Audi, and Bentley merchandise, as talked about above, however it wasn’t precisely gorgeous. The usual 4.2-liter V8 Audi S8 was sooner. The idea solely began gaining momentum as soon as bolted into the entrance of the Bentley Continental GT. Bentley added two turbochargers, rising the ability to 552 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.
Essentially the most gorgeous and ongoing software has been the W16 engine, utilized in each the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron. In its most potent present format, this engine develops 1,578 hp.
Historical past and Evolution of the W Motor
Curiously, the W engine’s coolest accomplishment will not be a broadly identified truth. One of many first W-type engines was designed and developed by Anzani Bikes. It was additionally used within the first aircraft to fly throughout the English Channel efficiently. From there, the W engine disappeared into obscurity, solely popping up infrequently. It solely actually gained traction in 2001 with the introduction of the W8 and W12. However these engines wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for one more well-known VW engine: the VR6. The VR6 engine is principally a mixture of V6 and straight-six. It has two banks of cylinders like a V6, however it makes use of the identical cylinder head. This meant the angle between the banks might be extraordinarily slender, which additionally means the engine is extra compact. Volkswagen additionally made each four- and five-cylinder variations of this format. VW by no means bothered constructing a W6 engine, as a result of it already had each VR6 and normal V6 engines out there.
Now, that is the place it will get attention-grabbing. VW made the W8 by utilizing two VR4 engines mounted on the identical crankshaft. It was two engines inside one bigger engine – like Inception, however with powertrains, and fewer complicated. The diploma between the banks on the VR engines was 15 levels, and in W configuration, it went as much as 72 levels.
The following step was the W12, utilizing two VR6 engines on the identical 72-degree angle. As talked about earlier, the ability output wasn’t extremely mind-blowing, however there was nonetheless sufficient room left over for 2 turbochargers due to its compact measurement.
Whereas the world was nonetheless getting used to the concept of the W engine, VAG was engaged on a W16 engine for Bugatti. VW used the VR engine format to create one other 15-degree VR8 and bolted two of them on the identical crankshaft at a 90-degree angle – together with 4 turbochargers and a complete of ten radiators. Due to the a lot wider angle between the VR8 banks, the engine resembled a V configuration, as you possibly can see whenever you take a look at the uncovered mid-mounted engine.
This engine proved to be so highly effective that it is nonetheless in manufacturing as we speak, powering the Chiron (in addition to special-edition Bugattis just like the Centodieci and Divo), albeit fettled to supply 1,500 hp+.
Automobiles Which can be Geared up With a W engine
There have been a number of vehicles, bikes, and planes with W engines, however the most typical of them had been VW-related.
- 2001 Volkswagen Passat W8: Though no person knew it on the time, VW used the Passat W8 to arrange the world for a luxurious product inside its vary. VW has by no means confirmed this, however it’s simple sufficient to do given the low quantity of W8 Passats produced and the timeline of fashions. The Touareg adopted a little bit greater than a 12 months later, adopted by the Phaeton luxurious barge. Oddly, solely the Touareg would stick round and stay in manufacturing.
- 2002 Volkswagen Phaeton: Volkswagen gave the world a 186-mph sedan that was fantastically constructed and higher geared up than an S-Class. And the world responded by not caring. Wanting again, the Phaeton was an epic achievement and maybe too forward of its time. The primary drawback proved to be the badge up entrance, which wasn’t prestigious sufficient at round $95,000. VW may construct 20,000 models per 12 months, however after 15 years in manufacturing, solely 85,000 had been bought internationally. The W12 within the Phaeton was naturally aspirated and produced 420 hp. The W12 was additionally made out there to Audi that bolted it into the A8.
- 2003 Bentley Continental GT: The Bentley Continental did two issues: It made Bentley cool (and worthwhile) once more and unleashed the complete potential of the W12 engine. With two turbochargers bolted to it, the W12 produced 552 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The highest velocity of the Continental GT and the Flying Spur sedan that adopted in 2005 was nicely over 186 mph. This made the world sit up and take discover.
- 2005 Bugatti Veyron: By now, the W12 was already well-known, so the world was salivating on the concept of a W16 engine. The 1,184-hp Bugatti Veyron didn’t disappoint. It had a high velocity of 253 mph and blew the world away. This technological marvel is broadly considered one of the crucial spectacular automobiles ever made and arguably essentially the most outstanding automobile to be launched from 2000 to 2010.
As of late the W12 remains to be utilized in high-end Bentleys just like the Bentayga, Continental GT, and the Flying Spur. Bugatti nonetheless makes use of an up to date model of the unique W16 quad-turbo.
Over time, there have been some notable, albeit restricted, makes use of of the W12 engine.
You won’t know the title Spyker, however it sporadically produces a brand new supercar infrequently. Its C12 Zagato was powered by the naturally-aspirated W12, as used within the Phaeton and Audi A8.
Essentially the most improbable use of the W12 engine, to our eyes at the least, was the 2005 W12 Touareg. This was simply earlier than the large monetary disaster, so a massively overpowered SUV appeared like a good suggestion. VW ended up making 500, and the bulk had been bought in Saudi Arabia.
Benefits and Disadvantages of the W Engine Configuration
There may be one important benefit of the W configuration, and we already touched on it a number of instances. Due to the format, the engine is extra compact and light-weight. One of the best instance is the Bugatti Chiron, which has 16 cylinders in a mid-engine association. Its total size is 178.9 inches, housing a 106.7-inch wheelbase. A Lamborghini Aventador S has an total size of 188.9 inches and a 106.3-inch wheelbase. Through the use of the W configuration, Bugatti can match 16 cylinders inside the identical measurement wheelbase Lamborghini makes use of for a V12 engine.
On the draw back, a W engine is extra advanced and tougher to work on. From an fanatic’s perspective, a W12 is not almost as entertaining as a extremely strung V12. We’ll use the Lamborghini Aventador for example once more. The supercar has a naturally-aspirated V12 that produces 730 hp and 507 lb-ft of torque, and it spins to eight,500 rpm. The noise it makes is intoxicating. The W12 engine within the present Continental GT Pace, which is only a competitor by way of the variety of cylinders, produces greater than 600 horses and 664 lb-ft of torque between 1,350 rpm and 6,000 rpm. That makes it much less rev-happy, and whereas the W12 engine delivers a satisfying bassy thrum, it merely cannot compete with a screaming V12 at 8,500 rpm.