Volkswagen AG W12 Engine
The 6.0-liter W12 is a compact engine arrangement used in the Volkswagen / Audi AG vehicles, A8, Phaeton, and Continental GT and GTC. The "double-vee" arrangement allows for a small overall size in comparison with a tradition V- or Flat 12 engine. This engine made its debut in 1997 Volkswagen W12 Nardo concept supercar at the Tokyo Motor Show. The arrangement is also used in the 4.0-liter W8 used in the 2004-2006 Volkswagen Passat and the 8.0-liter W16 of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4.
Technical[]
The Nardo version of the W12 was 5.6-liters in displacement with a length of only 20.1 inches, and a width of 27.6 inches. It produced a claimed 420 hp @ 5800 RPM and 390 lb-ft of torque @ 3000 RPM.
The Volkswagen Phaeton W12 uses a detuned version of the A8 engine producing 444 hp @ 6000 RPM and 406 lb-ft of torque at 3250 RPM. The compression ratio is also lower at 10.5 : 1.
The Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Continental GT and Continental GTC all use a twin-turbocharged version producing 552 hp (560PS/411kW) @ 6100 RPM and 479 lb ft (650Nm) of torque @ 1600 RPM. The compression ratio of this version is 9.0 : 1.
The full specifications for the Audi A8L W12 are courtesy of the Audi Technical Specifications
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A8L W12 |
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|
Type |
DOHC aluminum allow 15-degree V-angle, 72-degree bank angle W12 |
|
Displacment |
6.0-Liters (366 cu. in.) |
|
Bore |
3.31 inches (84 mm) |
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Stroke |
3.55 inches (90.2 mm) |
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Compression Ratio |
11.0 : 1 |
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Fuel Requirement |
Premium unleaded 91 AKI / 95 RON |
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Horsepower (SAE) |
450 @ 6200 RPM |
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Torque (lb-ft) |
428 @ 4000-4700 RPM |
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Engine Design |
|
|
Cylinder Block |
Aluminum silicon alloy (Alusil) |
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Crankshaft |
Forged, heat treated steel, 7 bearings. Offset crankpins. 21.2 kg |
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Cylinder Head |
Aluminum Alloy |
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Valvetrain/Intake |
DOHC, double overhead camshafts driven by a single chain, low friction roller cam followers, |
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Firing Order |
1 - 12 - 5 - 8 - 3 -10 - 6 - 7 - 2 - 11 - 4 - 9 |
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Cooling System |
Water-cooled, thermostatically controlled radiator fan. Water pump in cylinder block/crankcase |
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Lubrication System |
gear pump, pressure lubrication, full flow through oil cooler |
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Fuel Injection/ |
Fully electronic engine management system utilizing Bosch Motronic ME7.1.1, sequential injection with |
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Emission System |
Air gap insulated exhaust manifolds, 4 close-coupled 3-way ceramic catalytic converters, 8 oxygen sensors |
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Capacities |
|
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Engine Oil |
13 qt. (12.5 l) |
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Cooling System |
19.972 qt. (18.9 l) |
Images[]
See Also[]
| Piston engine configurations | |
|---|---|
| Type | Bourke • Controlled combustion • Deltic •Orbital • Piston • Pistonless (Wankel) • Radial • Rotary • Single • Split cycle • Stelzer • Tschudi |
| Inline types | H · U · Square four · VR · Opposed · X |
| Stroke cycles | Two-stroke cycle • Four-stroke cycle • Six-stroke cycle |
| Straight | Single · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 10 · 12 · 14 |
| Flat | 2 · 4 · 6 · 8 · 10 · 12 · 16 |
| V | 4 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 10 · 12 · 16 · 20 · 24 |
| W | 8 · 12 · 16 · 18 |
| Valves | Cylinder head porting • Corliss • Slide • Manifold • Multi • Piston • Poppet • Sleeve • Rotary valve • Variable valve timing • Camless |
| Mechanisms | Cam • Connecting rod • Crank • Crank substitute • Crankshaft • Scotch Yoke • Swashplate • Rhombic drive |
| Linkages | Evans • Peaucellier–Lipkin • Sector straight-line • Watt's (parallel) |
| Other | Hemi • Recuperator • Turbo-compounding |