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freetime2 | 4 days ago

The logical, socially-conscious side of my brain can't wait to see 6 cylinder engines go the way of the v8. Four cylinders and a hybrid system ought to be able to generate enough torque for just about anyone (except maybe heavy-duty hauling?). And the future is of course BEV.

But have to admit there is a part of me that would really love to drive something like the BMW M340i [1]. And the gas mileage (26/33 MPG) isn't even too bad.

[1] https://youtu.be/kr-h9T42NAI?si=IZaDC9UqAsUtjQN9

discuss

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gopalv|4 days ago

> the future is of course BEV

That's probably the reason - we only need dressage horses and pure bloods now that the real draft horse is getting put to pasture.

These are no longer workhorses.

Six cylinders are the smoothest engines out there.

Honda used to have a 1L 6 cylinder engine for their bikes - the Gold wing has a 6 cylinder still.

The perimeter of the piston goes down in relation to its area (& multiplied by BMEP) when the radius goes up - looking at you Africa Twin.

The perimeter is where the unburnt fuel lives and gets caught up in the emission rules. So fewer larger cylinders is better according to EPA - 500cc each, maybe.

If we're only going to have hobby vehicles with internal combustion, then a six cylinder or doubling up to a v-12 makes sense.

They're toys for the weekend, not to put a 100k miles on it.

linsomniac|4 days ago

>Six cylinders are the smoothest engines out there.

I dunno man, have you ever driven a rotary? The design has a lot of problems, but smoothness isn't one of them...

RickJWagner|4 days ago

My older brother had a mighty CBX. Smooth as silk, and very fast. Carburetor synchronization was troubling!

grvdrm|4 days ago

I drive that exact car!

It is awesome. Incredible power. Silky smooth on highway. Sounds like a beast on start up. I regularly get 36/37 mpg on a long drive.

I prefer the sound of the B58 in the m340 over the S58 in the m3 but they are quite different engines. And way different power. But straight-six throughout.

Still think one of the best engine sounds out there is the s54 in the 2001-2006 m3

rconti|3 days ago

I've owned a handful of BMWs (no S54 though) but I'm partial so the sound of the S62 V8. The turbo 6 generations were truly a remarkable change for BMW in terms of power, though.

At the moment, I have a Boxster, and the flat 6 somehow feels smoother than any I6 I've owned. I've done some research and sure enough, the inline 6 is (mathematically) smoother than an inline 6. The only way I can explain the fact that the boxer feels smoother is because it's mounted low and behind me, away from steering components? Whereas in my I6 cars, with the engine in front, you feel it through the front subframe and steering a bit.

singleshot_|4 days ago

> can't wait to see 6 cylinder engines go the way of the v8.

You want to stuff an in-line six in every race car, buggy, and Jeep that you see, with a supercharger slapped on top? Why not just go with an LS?

a_t48|4 days ago

Even 4 cylinders and a turbo (like my GLI) are plenty fun. I’m tire grip limited as it is, but it probably keeps me out of trouble, as tempting as something with more pep is.

freetime2|4 days ago

Yup I imagine the vast majority of car "enthusiasts" out there wouldn't be able to beat the Golf R Nurburgring lap record of 7:47 [1] in any car of their choosing. And more power would probably only serve to increase their odds of crashing.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt9l4NwHB8s