Straight sixes: apart from BMW, who else still makes them?

[LotusOmega375D]

In-line sixes used to be the engine layout of choice for executive expresses, but aside from BMW who makes them nowadays? A V6 is just not as smooth or sound as good IMO.

[Crusoe]

older nisan skyline, some older mercs

[Limpet]

Mercedes are introducing new straight-sixes in the next couple of years, apparently.

[Fittster]

Lexus

[Dr Interceptor]

Mercedes has a new one on the way... although we won't see it for another 12-18 months.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/mercede...

[zeppelin101]

I6s will be making a comeback now to help accommodate advanced boosting systems.

[Kawasicki]

Ford. In Australia. Four litres, cast iron block, aluminium head with DOHC and variable cam timing.

Power..in NA(petrol 270bhp ish, lpg a bit more)and turbo(380-420bhp ish)versions.

They are reliable and fairly fuel efficient, turning over at about 1600-1700rpm at 60mph in top gear. On a long drive at 100-110km/h I could average 7.4l/100km or about 38mpg, in a Falcon.

Days are numbered though.

[DervVW]

Porche?

[braddo]

Not sure I can see inline 6s being popular again since I expect their length and height are not good for packaging - pressures from pedestrian impact laws at the front, pressures from interior space/packaging at the rear.

[xRIEx]

Crusoe said:

older nisan skyline, some older mercs

Thread title said:

who else still makes them?

[Axionknight]

Volvo do a turbocharged straight six, called the T6, saddled to an auto box though

[GroundEffect]

DervVW said:

Porche?

...don't have any.

[Crusoe]

xRIEx said:

Crusoe said:

older nisan skyline, some older mercs

Thread title said:

who else still makes them?

Nissan TB straight-six petrol engine still made for the Nissan Patrol.

[kambites]

They really aren't a sensible engine layout for modern passenger cars - they're too long and too tall which makes them a packaging nightmare, especially when you take into account the minimum bonnet clearances in the current EU regs.

[hornetrider]

Do BMW still make a naturally aspirated 6 pot? I thought they were all turbocharged now?

[SaqibCTR]

Kawasicki said:

Ford. In Australia. Four litres, cast iron block, aluminium head with DOHC and variable cam timing.

Power..in NA(petrol 270bhp ish, lpg a bit more)and turbo(380-420bhp ish)versions.

They are reliable and fairly fuel efficient, turning over at about 1600-1700rpm at 60mph in top gear. On a long drive at 100-110km/h I could average 7.4l/100km or about 38mpg, in a Falcon.

Days are numbered though.

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Ford-Falcon-2011/AGC-AD-15600129/?Cr=5&sdmvc=1

I didn't even know they existed. I like it!

[Ozzie Osmond]

DervVW said:

Porche?

Porsche favour the 180 degree V6. Which is sort of "straight" although two cylinder heads definitely make it a "V".

Just to confuse things, Volkswagen's "VR6" has 6 cylinders arranged in a narrow V under a single cylinder head....

In reality the cylinders need to be in a single straight row to be called a "straight six" engine.

[ejenner]

What are people saying they are 'too tall' for? What's that all about?

[DervVW]

Ozzie Osmond said:

DervVW said:

Porche?

Porsche favour the 180 degree V6. Which is sort of "straight" although two cylinder heads definitely make it a "V".

Just to confuse things, Volkswagen's "VR6" has 6 cylinders arranged in a narrow V under a single cylinder head....

In reality the cylinders need to be in a single straight row to be called a "straight six" engine.

thanks for the clarification... seems no one makes them then!

[Ozzie Osmond]

kambites said:

They really aren't a sensible engine layout for modern passenger cars - they're too long and too tall which makes them a packaging nightmare, especially when you take into account the minimum bonnet clearances in the current EU regs.

Weirdly, Jaguar builds its new V6 engine using the long V8 block. It's not even 1st April but, yes kids, your V6 F-type has 2 empty bearings on a V8 crankshaft, as shown in the images below!

"The AJ126 V6 is basically an AJ133 V8 engine that has 2 less cylinders and is made on the same production line as the AJ133. It shares a very similar block as the supercharged V8 AJ133, with some unique features such as reduced bore size. Much the same story with the cylinder heads. The engine features a balance shaft to drive the oil pump and balance the crankshaft." Wikipedia