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W12 Engine front

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

A8L W12

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)

Stroke

3.55 inches (90.2 mm)

Compression Ratio

11.0 : 1

Fuel Requirement

Premium unleaded 91 AKI / 95 RON

Horsepower (SAE)

450 @ 6200 RPM

Torque (lb-ft)

428 @ 4000-4700 RPM

Engine Design

Cylinder Block

Aluminum silicon alloy (Alusil)

Crankshaft

Forged, heat treated steel, 7 bearings. Offset crankpins. 21.2 kg

Cylinder Head

Aluminum Alloy

Valvetrain/Intake

DOHC, double overhead camshafts driven by a single chain, low friction roller cam followers,
2 inlet and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder. Infinitely variable timing control for camshafts
(52-degrees at inlet and 22-degrees at exhaust valves)

Firing Order

1 - 12 - 5 - 8 - 3 -10 - 6 - 7 - 2 - 11 - 4 - 9

Cooling System

Water-cooled, thermostatically controlled radiator fan. Water pump in cylinder block/crankcase
map-controlled electronically controlled continued coolant circulation pump, coolant thermostat,
hydraulic fan and electric fan, coolant circulation, and water cooled alternator.

Lubrication System

gear pump, pressure lubrication, full flow through oil cooler

Fuel Injection/
Ignition System

Fully electronic engine management system utilizing Bosch Motronic ME7.1.1, sequential injection with
electronic throttle control, hot-film air-mass sensing, cylinder selective knock control via 4 sensors
and permanent lamda control.

Emission System

Air gap insulated exhaust manifolds, 4 close-coupled 3-way ceramic catalytic converters, 8 oxygen sensors

Capacities

Engine Oil

13 qt. (12.5 l)

Cooling System

19.972 qt. (18.9 l)

Images[]

See Also[]

Piston engine configurations
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Type BourkeControlled combustionDelticOrbitalPistonPistonless (Wankel) •
RadialRotarySingleSplit cycleStelzerTschudi
Inline types H · U · Square four · VR · Opposed · X
Stroke cycles Two-stroke cycleFour-stroke cycleSix-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 portingCorlissSlideManifoldMultiPistonPoppet
SleeveRotary valveVariable valve timingCamless
Mechanisms CamConnecting rodCrankCrank substituteCrankshaft
Scotch YokeSwashplateRhombic drive
Linkages EvansPeaucellier–LipkinSector straight-lineWatt's (parallel)
Other HemiRecuperatorTurbo-compounding
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