Five cylinders?

[Mike Hunt]

Just a bit curious about what went into that particular design decision.

Anyone.

[noR]

What do you mean?

Better fuel mileage than a 6 cylinder. More power than a 4 cylinder.

[kaiser]

vw/audi has been making 5 lungers for a long time.

personally i love the 5 cyl, nasty little motor with lots of potential.

google dahlback racing to see the sickest 5 cyl golf on the planet, makes ferraris cringe with fear.

[boogety boogety]

It's half of the Lambo V10 in the Gallardo.

No, not really, but kind of... they're nowhere near as smooth as the I6 in our 3-series BMW (but then, what engine is...) but it's not bad, a nice combination of the fuel savings of a 4, and close to the power of a 6, in a smaller, lighter engine.

Check out the good people at Wikipedia,

Straight-5 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and this little nugget:

Technical Advantages of a 5 cylinder engine.

[Beetlescott]

It's my favorite VW engine.

[SixChuter]

I love the 5 cylinder. Not bad fuel mileage for an engine that will make such a huge grin on my face when I mash the go pedal. I also like it because it is unique. Not many 5 cylinders around. I haven't modded it at all yet but I keep watching what others are doing and making my list.

I heard "rumors" that the engine was based on half an Audi 10....but who knows. Folk tales are good.

[Mike Hunt]

Originally Posted by boogety boogety

... and this little nugget:

Technical Advantages of a 5 cylinder engine.

Thanks. That one really answered my question.

[JonK]

I love Rosebug's 5 Cyl Engine!


JonK

[nowikihubby]

Originally Posted by Mike Hunt

Just a bit curious about what went into that particular design decision.

Anyone.

I am guessing it's an inherently good design...
Mercedes Benz has also built some very stout, good performing 5-cylinder engines for many years. I had an '80 300D Turbo that was a dream.

[PerrysPestControl42003]

I thought this was an interesting question, so just searched the phrase "technical advantages 5 cylinder engine".

"Firstly, it bridges the gap between 4 and 6-cylinder engines, thus may offer the best cylinder capacity for optimized efficiency; Secondly, compare with 4-cylinder engines, it saves one balancer shaft; Thirdly, compare with 6-cylinder engines, it is short enough to be fitted transversely into the engine compartment of front-wheel-drive cars, driving directly the inline gearbox. Lastly, it can be derived from a modular design consisting of 4 and 6-cylinder inline engines, not only saving development cost but also eliminating the investment of a new production line."

AutoZine Technical School - Engine

There was a lot about vibration and balance. I would have thought a 4 was better balanced than a 5, but obviously was wrong. Completely different concept, but seems like most ceiling fans these days have 5 blades vs 4.

[SMG]

Is your name seriously Mike Hunt? Cause if so that's pretty badass.