After powering some of Volkswagen's most iconic models, the VR6 engine will no longer be available in new cars in the US due to outdated technology and emissions concerns, according to Hein Schafer, Volkswagen's SVP of Product Marketing and Strategy. Speaking at the Chicago Auto Show, Schafer confirmed that the engine's unique design, which allowed six cylinders to fit into bays designed for inline-four engines, is no longer worth reinvesting in to meet emissions targets.
The engine was introduced as a 2.8-liter in the Volkswagen Passat B3 sedan and the Corrado and became an option on the MK3 Golf and third generation Jetta. The 3.2-liter version was used in the Volkswagen Golf R32 and the Audi TT and inspired the Bugatti W16 engine. The 3.6-liter VR6 engine was used in Volkswagen and Porsche models, and a downsized VR6 was redesigned for the Chinese market.
Although the VR6 will still be available in the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas, the 2024 model will feature a downsized four-cylinder turbo engine that produces almost as much horsepower but more torque across a broader rev range.
Source: CarBuzz