I’m not sure I understand that answer, because multiple manufacturers make more than 2 models of engine right now.
Volkswagen produces I-4s (1.8L, 2.0L), VR6 (narrow angle V, 2.8L and 3.2L), W8 (Passat) V10 (Touareg diesel), and W12 (Phaeton) giving them a total of *5* different engine types.
Audi also has an I-4 (1.8L TT, A4), V6 (2.7L, 3.0L Allroad, B5 S4, A4, A6), V8 (4.2L S4, A6), V12 (6.0L, A8) giving them 4 engine types.
In fact all of the German manufacturers produce at a minimum 3 types of engine (6/8/12), and if you include the european market, they all produce at least 4 (4/6/8/12), with BMW’s 4cyl in the 1 and 2 series soon to make it to the US, they’ll all have at least 4 — the new BMW M5 will add a V10 as well.
Now, if the question was how many different engine types are available in a single *model* of car, then it’s a bit more difficult. The VW Passat is available in 3 (1.8L I4, VR6, W8) in the US domestic market, for instance.
Like I said, maybe I was missing the point of the question, but I think the days of a single manufacturer only making one or two types of engine are pretty much over.
-s
Jay TeaMay 17, 2004
Sashae, I apologize. I meant different “types” as in different ways to arrange the combustion chambers. I should have dropped the numbers and simply gone for inline, vee, horizontally opposed, and rotary. In that sense, there’s no difference between V-6, V-8, V-10, or V-12 (or even V-4, to recall some old Saabs).
Also, there was an unspoken bias in my question. I was limiting it to models available in the US.
Thanks for the question — it showed I was a smidgen lazy originally.
Ah! Now it’s much clearer… if that’s the case, there’s only 4 root engine types, I guess — V, W, I, and Rotary.
The only company that makes rotaries is Mazda, as you stated, and other than that VW would be the only other with both the V, the W, and the I. I don’t believe anyone makes a boxer engine along with two other types, as Subaru and Porsche are the only companies using boxer configurations anymore, and Porsche has a V8 but no I.
Interesting trivia now that you’ve clarified, thanks!
Er, I meant 5 types — neglected the boxer, which I spoke about in my comment. “Duh.”
-s
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I’m not sure I understand that answer, because multiple manufacturers make more than 2 models of engine right now.
Volkswagen produces I-4s (1.8L, 2.0L), VR6 (narrow angle V, 2.8L and 3.2L), W8 (Passat) V10 (Touareg diesel), and W12 (Phaeton) giving them a total of *5* different engine types.
Audi also has an I-4 (1.8L TT, A4), V6 (2.7L, 3.0L Allroad, B5 S4, A4, A6), V8 (4.2L S4, A6), V12 (6.0L, A8) giving them 4 engine types.
In fact all of the German manufacturers produce at a minimum 3 types of engine (6/8/12), and if you include the european market, they all produce at least 4 (4/6/8/12), with BMW’s 4cyl in the 1 and 2 series soon to make it to the US, they’ll all have at least 4 — the new BMW M5 will add a V10 as well.
Now, if the question was how many different engine types are available in a single *model* of car, then it’s a bit more difficult. The VW Passat is available in 3 (1.8L I4, VR6, W8) in the US domestic market, for instance.
Like I said, maybe I was missing the point of the question, but I think the days of a single manufacturer only making one or two types of engine are pretty much over.
-s
Sashae, I apologize. I meant different “types” as in different ways to arrange the combustion chambers. I should have dropped the numbers and simply gone for inline, vee, horizontally opposed, and rotary. In that sense, there’s no difference between V-6, V-8, V-10, or V-12 (or even V-4, to recall some old Saabs).
Also, there was an unspoken bias in my question. I was limiting it to models available in the US.
Thanks for the question — it showed I was a smidgen lazy originally.
J.
Ah! Now it’s much clearer… if that’s the case, there’s only 4 root engine types, I guess — V, W, I, and Rotary.
The only company that makes rotaries is Mazda, as you stated, and other than that VW would be the only other with both the V, the W, and the I. I don’t believe anyone makes a boxer engine along with two other types, as Subaru and Porsche are the only companies using boxer configurations anymore, and Porsche has a V8 but no I.
Interesting trivia now that you’ve clarified, thanks!
-s
Er, I meant 5 types — neglected the boxer, which I spoke about in my comment. “Duh.”
-s