The engine is the heart of any gas or diesel powered vehicle. It’s what drives the rest of the vehicle’s components and helps power its many electronic features. Without the engine, the vehicle would be just another hunk of metal on wheels. Today, we’ll be taking a look at what a V engine is, how it works, and the benefits of having one in your vehicle.
V-type engines are common in larger trucks and SUVs, as well as performance and luxury cars. Inline engines are common in smaller vehicles like compact cars and sedans and even some minivans.
– Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Most modern internal combustion (IC) engines are multi-cylinder engines. In a V-type engine, these cylinders are arranged in two rows set at an angle from one another. This allows the cylinders to align to a common crankshaft and creates the titular “V” shape. The crankshaft is what turns the engine’s power into motion. Each cylinder group is called a cylinder bank. The number that follows the V in the engine name, such as the V8 or the V12, indicates how many cylinders there are in total.
The pistons in a V engine naturally follow the engine’s cylinders, meaning they’re also arranged at an angle to each other that allows them to share the crankshaft. Usually, the pistons in each cylinder bank are placed at an angle measuring between 60 to 90 degrees from the other bank. Most automotive V engines have 6 or more cylinders. They commonly come with an even number of cylinders, but there are those with odd numbers of cylinders as well, with the V5 being the most common.
Each V engine has a specific firing order that dictates which of the engine’s cylinders fire at any given time. This order syncs the cylinders to the crankshaft’s rotation and the operation of the valves.
Like most engines, the V engine’s cylinders create a low pressure area over their pistons on the intake stroke, which in turn pulls in air from the open intake valve. Fuel is then injected or drawn into the cylinder and the intake valve closes as the piston compresses the air and fuel together inside the cylinder.
The spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture right before the piston reaches the top of its stroke, and the resulting combustion forces the piston and its connecting rod back down, turning the crankshaft and pushing another piston in the engine upwards as a result. This process continues as the engine runs, powering the rest of the vehicle.
With the popularity of V-engines, it makes sense that some layouts are more common than others. Here are the three most common V-engine types on the market:
If a vehicle has a six-cylinder engine, it’s more likely a V6. The V6 engine is the most common six-cylinder engine layout. These engines are about as short as inline-four engines, making them a decent upgrade for those looking for more power at the same size.
The V8 is a famous and beloved engine layout for muscle cars, hot rods, and European GT vehicles. They’re also sometimes used in airplanes and boats because of their reliability and excellent performance.
V10 engines aren’t as common as V6s and V8s, but they’re often found in Formula One racing vehicles. Having uneven cylinders in either bank means the V10 also needs balance shafts for reduced vibrations, but that doesn’t keep it from being a staple in Formula One cars.
V engines are popular because they’re reliable, powerful, and versatile. Here’s a look at the V-engine strengths:
V engines run very smoothly, thanks to their balanced design. They don’t vibrate as much as other engine types. The angle of the cylinder banks keeps the engine’s movement in check, creating a smoother ride overall even at high speeds.
The power in a V engine is nothing to scoff at, and it manages to provide that power in a more compact package. The V-type design allows for more cylinders in a shorter space, making it popular with sports and luxury vehicles.
Versatility is another key V-engine feature. Thanks to their design and various available types, V engines are suited for all sorts of vehicles, from the humble daily driver to the power-hungry muscle cars.
V engines aren’t the only engine type out there. Here’s how they stack up against the others:
Inline engines, also known as straight engines, have cylinders that line up in a row, making them longer than V engines. So are inline or v engines better? Inline engines are more affordable and fuel-efficient with reduced emissions. They’re also longer and taller than V engines though, making inline engines less compact and more difficult to mount. Which is better depends on what you value most as a driver and vehicle owner.
Flat engines, or boxer engines, have all their cylinders oriented horizontally. This means they oppose each other when they fire, giving the flat engines perfect balance. This results in high performance and less vibration. Unfortunately, they’re more difficult to maintain than a V engine, while also taking up more space.
Electric motors are slowly becoming more popular in the automotive industry, thanks to their clean energy and instant torque. They’re also more efficient at generating power than internal combustion engines. That being said, they can’t match V engines when it comes to raw power.
Hybrid engines combine internal combustion engines and electric motors to create more power while increasing fuel efficiency and clean power use. They definitely pack more of a punch than electric motors, but they can’t compare to V-engine power at present.
Overall, V engines have held their place in the automotive industry for years now, and it doesn’t look like that’ll change anytime soon. Their ingenious design helps them stay relevant as a compact powerhouse of an engine that can be downsized to suit everyday vehicles as well.
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