During the start of what we'd call 'supercars', the prominent engines were (usually) restricted to low-displacement V12's or gigantic V8's. As time's gone on, the common power source has shifted back and forth between various types of motor designs and layouts; not the least of which being the many six-cylinders currently available to us.
As much as we love a red-blooded American V8, we have to hand it to a few six-cylinders that really go above and beyond by comparison. From a flat-six to a V6, there is a litany of awesome choices of well-designed six-cylinder, many of which we intend to mention here.
So, without further ado, here are ten of the greatest six-cylinder engines ever built!
10 Jaguar AJ126
For the upcoming 2021 model year, Jaguar is revamping the F-Type sports car with a fresh facelift and performance boost. It looks amazing, but we're only interested in one thing: what's under the hood.
Powering the Jaguar F-Type are two engines: a V6 or a V8 package. For the purposes of this, we are focusing on the six; the 'AJ126'. Well, to be honest, we wouldn't pay too much attention to the V8 version anyways, since the V6 sounds so much better!
Jeremy Clarkson put it best when reviewing a convertible F-Type back in 2014. The V6 is like Goldilocks - just right - while the V8 is a little too rumbly and aggressive for its own good. An angrier sound is nice, but can be off-putting in a luxury sports car or driving through a quiet neighborhood.
9 Honda C32B V6
Since we're already talking about V6's, it's a great time to transition into another amazing engine with a similar layout. Although not brand new, this Honda C32B V6 is nothing to snub your nose at.
Compared to the first NSX's engine (the C30B), the C32B wasn't anything too wild. What made the difference was a ton of minor modifications. This includes but isn't limited to: " thinner fiber-reinforced metal cylinder liners, larger intake valves, new head gaskets," larger piston pins, and so on.
8 Toyota-Yamaha 2.0-Liter I6
Starting up their now-beloved performance line, Toyota would produce Japan's first competitive supercar: the Toyota 2000GT. Its above-average performance was the culmination of hard work between not just Toyota themselves, but their contractor Yamaha, as well.
It was the 1960's and things were a lot different than they are today. Back then, Yamaha and Toyota worked together to create various things, including engines. After being approached by Yamaha with the designs for the 2000GT's power unit, they got to work making it. Long story short, it would set a high bar for Toyota for years to come.
7 Nissan S20
At the exact same time Toyota and Yamaha were working their magic with the 2000GT, Nissan had their own plan in the works, too. No good business is going to let their rivals succeed without a fight, and their fight was between cars - The 2000GT versus the Nissan GT-R 'Hakosuka'.
The first Nissan GT-R (the Hakosuka) was a lot like the 2000GT. Each utilized a two-liter six-cylinder engine and has stayed popular far longer than anyone had initially anticipated. Of course, the looks had a lot to do with it, but so too did its S20 motor.
6 BMW M88
A common trend throughout this piece is a lot of "firsts." We had the first GT-R's engine, the first Toyota supercar, and now the first M-series engine. We present to you the BMW M88 - The monster behind the M1 and M6!
The M88 ended its lifecycle in the bay of the BMW 6-Series, though, it didn't begin there. At first, the M88 was used in the BMW M1/M1 ProCar, but its racing series' cancelation all but destroyed a need for such a motor. Thankfully, there was the BMW M6 and M635i's to save the day! Because of those cars, us consumers got the chance to get our hands on an amazing six-cylinder without spending half-a-million bucks.
5 Porsche M97/74
Each carmaker specializes in something in particular; a field in which they rank supreme over others. Ford has their rock-solid trucks, Ferrari their racecars, and Porsche their flat-six engines. Among the hundreds that've rolled out of Stuttgart, the best is (easily) the 997's M97/74.
Porsche has made tons of awesome flat-six's since the 997, but few are as rare or unique as the 911 GT3 RS' M97/74 from that era. No turbo's, no hybrid systems. Just an N/A 4.0-liter flat-six that screams and drives like a GTE car. As MotorTrend stated, it wasn't "just the last 997-series 911, but the ultimate RS, and the roadgoing swan song for the magnificent Mezger flat-six."
4 BMW S54
We already talked about the BMW M88; the first official M-series engine. However, we have yet to discuss the more modern, superior alternative to the similar inline-six setup: the BMW S54.
The reason why everyone fawns over the BMW E46 M3 is in part due to its appearance and brand recognition. To real enthusiasts, though, that's just the 'cherry on top' of the proverbial milkshake that is the E46 M3's S54 engine.
As someone who's been around the E46 M3, driven many times, and contemplated purchasing, we know just how crazy an early-2000's M3 can act. If you've got the funds, it would make for a sweet drift car, too!
3 Buick-McLaren 3.8-Liter V6
Thought we were done with V6's? Not so fast! There's one more that we'd be foolish to pass up. Of course, we mean none other than the Buick-McLaren 3.8-liter V6 - The very same power unit behind the Buick Grand National GNX.
The idea of companies like Buick and McLaren Automotive teaming up to make an engine together seems outlandish. Nevertheless, it was the 1980's; nothing was too wild. As a result, we got one of the fastest sleeper cars ever made.
There was a short period of time where the GNX and its respective 3.8L V6 were underappreciated, but that's long since passed. Nowadays, an authentic one will set you back quite a lot.
2 Toyota 2JZ-GTE
For the last two entries, we have a feeling seasoned car enthusiasts know exactly what we have planned. Nevertheless, as expected as it may be, they're there for a reason. We present the number two slot: the Toyota 2JZ-GTE.
No matter where a 2JZ goes (inside its original MKIV Supra, a Nissan 240SX, or anything else), it'll always be capable of ludicrous amounts of horsepower. You wouldn't be insane to imagine a 2JZ with upwards of 1,000-hp. Perhaps one that's completely unmolested, as well!
1 Nissan RB26DETT
Last, but by no means least, is yet another Japanese-made inline-six. After the Toyota 2JZ-GTE, Nissan S20, and 2000GT 2.0L, we've seen just how skilled Japan is at making engines. The final example? The Nissan RB26DETT.
Used throughout the Nissan Skyline GT-R's lineup for years (starting with the R32 and ending with the early-2000's R34), the RB-series of engines have been among the only engines to hold a candle against the Toyota 1JZ/2JZ.
The reason we have it listed above the 2JZ, however, is simple: the engine note. Both the RB26DETT possess a lot of the same qualities and traits, but - to us - the Nissan GT-R's exhaust makes a far sweeter tune.
"six" - Google News
January 15, 2021 at 10:30AM
https://ift.tt/3oNSKHQ
10 Greatest Six-Cylinder Engines Ever Made | HotCars - HotCars
"six" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3dcBbL9
https://ift.tt/2Wis8la
No comments:
Post a Comment