Different 'W' Engine Configurations Explained | W3 to W30

Different 'W' Engine Configurations Explained | W3 to W30

W Engines:
Like the more commonly available V engine, the name W engine comes from its appearance; when viewed from the front, the engine is shaped like W. The W shape comes from three to four banks of cylinders using the same crankshaft, forming a double V engine.

The Volkswagen A.G., more commonly known as VAG, is responsible for the mass production of the W-type engine and becoming a recognized engine configuration. The W engine has been available in W3, W6, W8, W12, W16, W18, and W24 cylinder configurations. The biggest ever was a W30, used in a Sherman tank during World War 2.

There have been numerous attempts at building a W-type engine for cars, but most were unsuccessful. The three most common versions of W engines are W8, W12, and W16.

Volkswagen's W8 engine is no longer in production but has an interesting story behind it. This engine was supposed to be the big seller in Volkswagen's W engine range. While testing the concept, Volkswagen used W8 and not W12. The W8 made a short-lived appearance in the 2001 W8 Passat, which proved to be a poor contender in its segment.

The W12 is the most famous, and it was used in Volkswagen, Audi, and Bentley, but it wasn't exactly stunning. The most stunning and ongoing application has been the W16 engine, used in both the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron; in its most potent current format, this engine develops 1,578 hp.

History and Evolution of the W Engine:

One of the first W-type engines was designed and developed by Anzani Motorcycles. It was also used in the first plane to successfully fly across the English Channel.

The W engine gained attention in 2001 with the introduction of the W8 and W12, But these engines would not exist if it weren't for another famous Volkswagen engine: the VR6. The VR6 engine is basically a mix of V6 and straight-six, It has two banks of cylinders like a V6, but it uses the same cylinder head. This meant the angle between the banks could be extremely narrow, which meant the engine was more compact.

---- Time Stamp ---
00:00 - Introduction
00:28 - Types of W-Engine Configurations
01:48 - History & Evolution of W-Engine
02:30 - Why is W-Engine Used?
03:25 - Advantages & Disadvantages of W-Engine
04:08 - W3 Engine
05:05 - W6 Engine
05:46 - W8 Engine
07:29 - W12 Engine
10:05 - W16 Engine
12:48 - W18 Engine
14:21 - W24 engine
15:38 - W30 Engine
16:13 - Wrap Up

All images used in this video are under a creative commons license.

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[mechguy]

"W" type configuration is considered as the most compact arrangement. Overall video is awesome 👍😎

[roelp]

The VW groep W8, W12 and W16 engines actually aren’t really ‘W’ engines. They’re ‘VV’ engines as they have two V-shaped cylinder banks. VW group’s marketing department decided to ‘glue’ the V’s in the naming together, making it look like a ‘W’

[magronet]

Great to see you know the very rare Jimenez Novia.
Mr Jimenez makes also 2 liters with 2 bikes motors for Schlesser's buggys on the Paris Dakar.
The Novia was full carbon built and very innovative.

[broskis]

In tuning W engines has probably best capability. W8 with turbos has potential of over 1000hp at factory crankshaft. Obviously conrods and pistons custom made. There is company in the UK that specialize in W engines and they got racing passat W8 modified to 1470hp.

[rickconstant]

The "W" engines with 3 individual banks are really a different category from the modern VW range of "W" engines, which are more accurately described as "double V", being a V engine with 2 banks of staggered cylinders

[qwiklok]

There are a lot of technical and graphical errors in this presentation. It needs a redo and clean up. Here is some added information.

For the record, I have 2 W8 2003 Passat wagen's and I love them. Beautiful and smooth, lots of pulling power and torque, I can easily pull 3, 500 lb. trailer over long distances. Gas economy is reasonable (10-11 l/100km - about 24-30 Imp mpg.). Car has 365, 000 on it and runs like new. It cannot be faulted. I would not trade this for a VR 6 any day.

The entire concept of W engines was to put in as many cylinders in the shortest front to rear space but adding only marginal width. They put a 4l. W8 in the Passat into an engine bay made for a 2l. 4 cylinder engine! That is an accomplishment.

The reason it failed in the market place was due to marketing, pure and simple. No one could distinguish the W8 from a V6 from a TDI or 4 unless you knew Volkswagen. Had they made cosmetic changes that were so different and made it stand apart, it is mehhh, whats so special about that car? But get in and drive it, then the differences become noticeable. And it can tow a heavy load too, governed out at 250. I have seen 225 5 years ago and that is FAST.

The W-12 is the same as the W8 but with 4 more plugs, 2l. and 2 turbochargers and a hell of a lot more power 275 to 525. It is used today in the Bentley and Audi as a luxury car and you pay a hefty price for it, but many of the parts are interchangeable - at a price. They are butter smooth and definitely better engines they displaced.

If one could put on 2 turbos on the W8 - you would see 400 hp. But there is literally no space to add them no matter what unless you put in an electric supercharger and that is a tight fit if not impossible.

The Chrysler W5 is simply 5 inline 6 motors that Chrysler was already making onto a common block used for an immediate war motor - high speed development when time was critical.

The Bugatti W16 is essentially the same as the W8 but has a 90 degree V instead of a 72 degree V since space width was no longer a consideration, 4 turbocharges, intercoolers, everything tweaked for power - and at 500, 000 a pop, you pay for it. The regular maintenance on it is absurdly expensive - like $40, 000 for new tires after some 15, 000 km, $20, 000 for oil changes that only their mechanics will allow - that kind of nonsense. All this for what? Bragging rights? The car doesn't exactly appeal cosmetically not to me anyway. And recently Koenisegg's V8 has exceeded the latest w-16 using smart technology.

[khimsophacarfixing]

This is a good knowledge about type of engine!

[bigsmoke]

The Sherman engine wasn't really a"w"configuration, it was simply five six cylinder inlines bolted together.

[TAUNYANE]

Your videos are very informative..thank you

[chevydyall]

The last one I'd call a radial engine not a W!!

[coreyrussell]

Great video. Thank you for making a video of W configuration engines.

[GoranMilovanovic-zrvw]

VW brought the W configuration to perfection, this was proven in the Pheton W12 and 6000 ccm model, with this engine the W engine configuration was brought to perfection, from quiet operation to max revs, power in everything that is required from an engine. The Audi Sestra company also uses VW - W engines in its models, especially sports models.

[sherrokinchen]

That W30 engine is the sickest looking engine I have ever seen😧

[blasterTC]

I caught a tiny mistake when detailing W18 engine. 3 banks of 6 cylinders, but the image shows a 4 bank 6 cylinder engine (W24) @12:55

[zainshaikh]

Sir please make a video on all sensors of the vehicle please .. your explanation is truly excitant .. and easy to understand by animation .

[yzrippin]

My god I've just had the best idea ever let's take two w3's make them together so that is a circular 6 and use it to power aircraft

[jeanc]

Timing one of those W engines must be a nightmare

[williamgrazioli]

Go and see Lancia Fulvia 1600, from here the design of the narrow v of 15 degrees started

[rcpmac]

You really should post something relevant to this century

[getthewin]

W12 and w16 are the best engines for cars