This 2.8 L (171 cu in) engine produced 150 kW (201 hp), and mostly replaced the 2 valve engines, except for in North America where an updated version of the 2 valve engine was used in the Golf and Jetta from 2000-2002.Ī 3.2 L (195 cu in) EA390 version of the 4 valve engine was introduced in the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle RSi model. In 1997, the VR5 engine was introduced, based on the VR6 engine.Īn AQP/AUE version with 4 valves per cylinder was introduced in 2000. The 2.8 litre version was also used in the 1996-2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638) commercial vans, where it was designated as 'M104.900'. Usage of the VR6 engine spread to the Volkswagen Golf Mk3 2.8 VR6 and Volkswagen Vento/Jetta (A3) 2.8 VR6 models in 1992. Both versions used 2 valves per cylinder. A 2.9 L (177 cu in) ABV version producing 140 kW (188 hp) was used in the Passat Syncro model and the European version of the Corrado. A 2.8 L (171 cu in) AAA version producing 128 kW (172 hp) was used in most Passat models and in the North American version of the Corrado. The first versions of the VR6 engine were introduced in the 1991 Volkswagen Passat B3 sedan and Volkswagen Corrado coupe. The 1922-1976 Lancia V4 engine was the first narrow angle V engine to be used in a motor vehicle. This operating principle is more akin to a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) design, with one camshaft for intake valves, and one for exhaust valves.
![mk4 jetta vr6 mk4 jetta vr6](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/usedphotosna/76889362_614.jpg)
The 24-valve versions use one camshaft for the intake valves of both banks (using rockers to reach the furthest bank) and the other camshaft for the exhaust valves of each bank (again, through the use of rockers). The engine management system is Bosch Motronic.Ī version with four valves per cylinder (for a total of 24 valves) was introduced in 1999. Since the two 'rows' of pistons and cylinders share a single cylinder head and head gasket, the piston crown (or top surface) is tilted. The valve sizes are 39.0 mm (1.54 in) for the intake and 34.3 mm (1.35 in) for the exhaust. The centerline of the cylinders are offset from the centerline of the crankshaft by 12.5 mm (0.49 in). This also allows the use of a 120° firing interval between cylinders. The crankshaft runs in seven main bearings and the journals are offset 22° to one another, in order to accommodate the offset cylinder placement. The V angle between the cylinder banks is 15°, and the compression ratio is 10:1. In 1994, a 2.9 L (177 cu in) ABV version was introduced in some European countries, with an increased bore of 82.0 mm (3.23 in). It had a bore of 81.0 mm (3.19 in) and a stroke of 90.3 millimetres (3.56 in), for a total displacement of 2.8 L (171 cu in). The first Volkswagen VR6 engine uses the AAA version. Therefore the VR6 engine is easier to fit within an engine bay that was originally designed for a four-cylinder engine.Įarly VR6 engines had two valves per cylinder (for a total of twelve valves) and used one camshaft for the intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder bank (without the use of rockers). The narrow angle of 15° between the two cylinder banks reduced the width of the engine, compared to a traditional V6 engine. The Volkswagen VR6 engine was designed for transverse engine installations in front-wheel drive vehicles.
![mk4 jetta vr6 mk4 jetta vr6](https://live.staticflickr.com/4112/4843005992_bfeb0788a8_b.jpg)
Top views of a straight engine (left), V engine (centre) and VR engine (right)
![mk4 jetta vr6 mk4 jetta vr6](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/b5/d3/39/b5d33973cf69f39217f3701ffdac2819--jetta.jpg)
The difference in port lengths are compensated for with the length of the runners in the intake manifold, the camshaft overlap and lift profile, or a combination thereof. Without compensation, these varying port lengths would result in the two banks of cylinders producing different amounts of power at a particular engine RPM. Since the cylinders are not located on the centreline of the combined cylinder head, the lengths of the intake and exhaust ports are different for each bank. This simplifies engine construction and reduces costs. Only two camshafts are needed for the engine, regardless of whether the engine has two or four valves per cylinder. VR6 engines share a common cylinder head for the two banks of cylinders.
![mk4 jetta vr6 mk4 jetta vr6](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DN5HJa8gmRA/hqdefault.jpg)
The name VR6 comes from the German initials for a V engine (German: V-Motor) and a straight (inline) engine (German: Reihenmotor), therefore the VR engine is described as a "Vee-Inline engine" (VR-Motor). Diagram showing the differences in port lengths between a V6 and VR6