V engine

A V engine is a common configuration for an internal combustion engine in which the pistons are aligned so that, if viewed along the line of the crankshaft, they appear to be in a V. The V configuration reduces the overall engine length and weight compared to an equivalent straight engine.

Usually, each pair of corresponding pistons from each bank of cylinders share one crank pin on the crankshaft; Some authorities even regard this as a distinguishing feature of a true V engine, and for example divide flat engines into boxer engines which do not share crank pins in this way, and 180° V engines which do. On the other hand, some important V-twin designs have two-pin cranks.

Various angles of V are used in different engines; depending on the number of cylinders, there may be angles that work better than others for stability. Very narrow angles of V combine some of the advantages of the V engine and the straight engine (primarily in the form of compactness) as well as disadvantages; the concept is an old one pioneered by Lancia, but recently reworked by Volkswagen.

Some V configurations are well-balanced and smooth, while others are less smoothly running than their equivalent straight counterparts. With an optimal angle the V12s and V16s have even firing and exceptional balance. The crossplane V8 can be balanced with counterweights on the crankshaft similar to those used on a straight 6. Others, such as the V2, V4, V6, flatplane V8, and V10, show increased vibration and generally require balance shafts.

It is common for V engines to be described with V# notation, where # is how many cylinders it has:

• V-twin
• V4
• V5
• V6
• V8
• V10
• V12
• V16
• V18
• V20
• V24

See also

• Flat engine
• H engine
• Straight engine
• W engine
• U engine