What is a W engine? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 05-05-2002, 09:04 PM

Ok I now it is probley two v's next to eachother but I am couris as to how it works opposed to a vee or Inline. You know I have to try to figure everything out.
Thanks

#2 05-05-2002, 09:09 PM

I believe,Bugatti's EB 110 engine is
considered W configuration.I think its
a wide angle V8.

#3 05-05-2002, 09:11 PM

Or V12?

jsmith · #4 05-05-2002, 09:19 PM

assuming you are talking about the VW W8 it is essentially two narrow angle V4's joined at the crank, loosely based on the design of the VR6 narrow angle V6. the engine, while new, is supposedly going to be orphaned and discontinued soon due to overlap with the Audi V8 design.

#5 05-05-2002, 09:23 PM

I had origanlly saw it in the Bugatti but had seen VW advertising it. are they good engines?

#6 05-06-2002, 12:03 AM

Too new to tell. The W8 Passat was only just released - with an over $40K price tag no less.

#7 05-06-2002, 03:36 AM

According to VWvortex.com, the W8 will soon be orphaned for an Audi V-8 design in the next Passat.

It'll suck to get W8 parts in 20 years, if this is the only application!

-Sam

jjrodger · #8 05-06-2002, 04:04 AM

I can't see VW replacing its brand new, super high tech W8 with the 12 year old Audi motor. I heard the W8 was going in the Golf.

There is a W12 in the Audi A8 in continental European markets.

The new Bugatti has a W16. The forthcoming junior Bentley will possible get a W-engine.

The point about the W engine is compactness. I don't think the Audi V-8 will fit the Passat, it's a tight squeeze in the Audi A6 which has a larger floor pan. The W-8 is only slightly longer than an I-4.

jsmith · #9 05-06-2002, 08:42 AM

VW/Audi is confused with their powertrain direction. There's some politics involved - I think what happened is that the head of that whole VR6 effort has stepped aside. The VR6 and it's descendants now have an even more uncertain future. Think about it - why get the VR6 GTI when you can get the 1.8T (Audi engine) version for less money? And when you chip thay motor it turns into a real beast! Not to say that the VR6 family didn't have its merits. Compactness allowed for this 2.8L V6 to be installed in cars like the Jetta. That W8 engine was slated to go in the Porsche Cayenne, but that's all changed now. Word is out that production of this engine is going to be a limited run. Is that messed up or what? Buyers should really beware when they pop $40k+ for their 8 cylinder Passats!

to jjrodger's point about the V8 - there is not that big a difference between the A6 and Passat bodies. in fact they share the same chassis designation (B5) if i remember correctly. they have the V8 for the A6.

Jim Anderson · #10 05-06-2002, 11:20 AM

I had a picture of it, can't find it now, but it has three heads.

#11 05-06-2002, 07:36 PM

The Passat W8 will have only one head, just like the VR6. I am looking for a picture of one now, and will post it when I find it.

#12 05-06-2002, 07:49 PM

I messed up on the last post!! It will have two cylinder heads, not one. Its dimensions are similar to the V6 now used in the Passat and Audi models. Here is a picture.

Kuan · #13 05-07-2002, 10:13 AM

One double row chain from the crank to the intermediate shaft, then single row driving the cams? The crankshaft is 180 degrees so does that mean only 4 cylinders fire every crankshaft revolution, or two fire at the same time?

Kuan

Jim Anderson · #14 05-07-2002, 11:26 AM

Buggati has a W18, it has three heads six cylinders each, probably makes a V12 sound like a single cylinder thumper

jjrodger · #15 05-11-2002, 05:24 PM

Got a brochure for the Passat W8 in the post this morning. Notwithstanding all your comments, I really quite fancy one of these cars. They are extremely subtle, especially de-badged. And that engine is a masterpiece.

Black metallic with black Recaro leather: only the 4 tail pipes, unique bi-xenon headlights and grille mods would give the game away. Nobody would ever know that it was packing a heavyweight punch... The ultimate Q-car.