We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Engines

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a V Engine?

By Soo Owens
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 20,094
Share

A V engine, also known as a vee engine, is a common type of internal combustion engine. It is characterized by the "V" shape that the cylinders make when viewed from the front of the engine, perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft. The proponents of the V engine design often cite its generally shorter length, height and weight as reasons for its allure.

The conventional notation used to designate the size of a V engine is the letter "V" followed by the number of cylinders the engine has. For instance, a V engine with six cylinders is called a V-6. A V configuration engine can be as small as a V-twin with only two cylinders mirroring each other across the crankshaft or as large as a V-24 in locomotives.

The V engine consists of two banks, or rows, of cylinders that attach to a single crankshaft. Typically the cylinders are situated at a 60- or 90-degree angle. The banks in a V-6 are usually 60 or 90 degrees, and the banks of a V-8 engine usually lie in a 90-degree angle.

This type of engine is commonly arranged into configurations of V-6, V-8, V-10 and V-12 in automobiles, though they are not exclusive to automobile usage. V-twins are a staple of some motorcycle manufacturers, and others have found ways to incorporate V engines ranging from a V-4 or V-5 to a V-8 in their bikes. V configuration engines V-16, V-20 and V-24 are quite uncommon in automobile use and are restricted to mainly large truck and locomotive usage, with some exceptions.

The appeal of the V engine design comes from its tendency to be lighter and shorter in height and length than an inline layout of the same cylinder number and displacement. The short length of the V design allows automotive producers to shorten the length of the hood and use that space for other purposes. The V engine tends to permit higher torsional stresses and rotational speeds as a result of its strong short crankshaft.

The inline engine configuration, by contrast, is a much simpler design than the V, with a single bank containing all of the cylinders in a row. The larger block and distance between cylinders often cause the inline to have a smoother power delivery while producing more torque. Inline layouts are heavier and much longer than V-type engines, though, and they require more space in terms of length.

Share
WikiMotors is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Soulfox — On May 28, 2014

@Terrificli -- you'll still find a number of inline four-cylinder engines out there, so there is still a place for them. One of the appeals of an inline engine is that they are simpler and tend to be more durable.

Still, technology has improved over the years so a "V" engine has become much more durable over the years. Some of the better designed ones have been known to clear 300,000 miles or more before needing a rebuild.

By Terrificli — On May 27, 2014

The compact sizes of "V" engines makes them all the more attractive today. With car sizes dropping while emissions, safety and other systems have increased sharply, the more compact "V" engine is often necessary in a vehicle with an inline design might have been fine.

The compact size of a V-8 all but eliminated the use of inline engines with eight cylinders and the same seems to be happening with inline-6 engines. Will inline four-cylinder engines be next?

Share
https://www.wikimotors.org/what-is-a-v-engine.htm
Copy this link
WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.