# Automotive Engine configurations **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 30, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576 "2002-10-30T18:00:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Motog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Motog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motog)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576/21 "2002-10-31T06:27:34Z")
The OP asked about **automotive** engines not just cars, so I’ll add some stuff about motorbikes. If I’ve missed anything, please feel free to add on. **Singles** Many motorbike manufacturers produce single cylinder bikes (usually for trail bikes) **Twins** Most major manufacturers produce a V-Twin engine and there are a few inline twins while BMW produces a flat boxer twin **Triples** Honda produced a v-triple (MVX250 from memory) that was a bit notorious for burning out the rear cylinder. Triumph produces an inline triple (and other manufacturers have done so in the past). **Fours** The most common configuration for larger bikes is inline four (though the v-twins are gaining ground) and there are a couple of V-fours around (the Honda VFR comes to mind) **Sixes** From memory, the Honda Goldwing is a flat boxer 6 (and I think it might have been a Boxer four in the past) There are or have also been inline 6s and v-sixes. The Kawazaki Z1300 being the prime example **Other oddities** Ariel once produced a Square Four (sometimes called the Squariel) that was also notorious for burning out the back two cylinders. There have also in the past been numerous flat singles, flat boxers that go along the frame (instead of across) The Munch Mammoth used a Volkswagen beetle engine The ill-fated JPS Nortons used a rotary engine and Bombardier used to sell a rotary engne for going into other bikes. I think DKW or one of the other German manufacturers experimented with a steam motorbike (or scooter) at one time. To round it all off, I think the Orbital Engine produce by the Orbital Engine Company (aka Sarich) was used in a few motorbikes. ---
**Author:** ![Motog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Motog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motog)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576/22 "2002-10-31T06:42:48Z")
I almost forgot the RC211V - Honda’s new 5 cylinder engines used in MotoGP bikes this year. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576/23 "2002-10-31T09:26:34Z")
The rotary is coming back to America: [http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/articleDisplay.asp?articleID=7](http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/articleDisplay.asp?articleID=7) ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576/24 "2002-10-31T13:03:29Z")
The Smart uses an 600cc turbo I-3, and one version of the Fiat Coupe uses a 2000cc turbo I-5. The BRM Formula 1 car from 1967 had an H-16, which basically was 2 boxer 8’s stacked. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576/25 "2002-10-31T13:45:22Z")
Chevrolet will be introducing a new I-5 engine early next year. It will be used in the Chevy Colorado (replacing the S-10) and the Trailblazer. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576/26 "2002-10-31T15:14:50Z")
What exactly are the advantages of the various configurations? I believe the V8 and V12 are some of the most ideally balanced engines, and the V configuration is well suited for RWD, front-engine vehicles. Is the Inline well suited for FWD? I guess the Boxer allows for lower hood lines. It seems like larger inlines are used more often in trucks, do they produce more torque or are they more robust? How do they balance an I3 or I5? Or a single cylinder engine? ---
**Author:** ![li\_l\_Dickie\_Dirtz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@li\_l\_Dickie\_Dirtz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/li_l_Dickie_Dirtz)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576/27 "2002-10-31T15:33:11Z")
An inline 6 is supposed to be inherently very smooth in operation. The problem is the block gets too long in any decent displacement. A similar problem confronts the inline 5, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576/28 "2002-10-31T15:56:22Z")
IIRC, inline engines also allow for a longer length of stroke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automotive-engine-configurations/134576.md?page=1)