What Is the Difference Between a V6 and a V8 Engine? What the ‘V’ Means in a v6 and V8?

If you’re in the market for a vehicle and you’re considering a V-6 versus V-8, knowing about the engine types and their advantages can be beneficial in your decision to purchase. Read on to find out more about V-6 versus V-8 engines to help determine which option is best suited for you.

Automakers can produce a wide array of engine types to suit a variety of driving needs by altering the number and size of the cylinders and their relationship with one another.

What Is the Difference Between a v6 and a v8 Engine?

Aside from the number of cylinders, what differences a V6 and V8 engines have? We’ll break down the differences between them and some of the advantages of using each to know which type is the best for you.

V6 Engine

The V6 engine is compact and solid. A V6 configuration has been around since the very early days of the internal combustion engine. Despite its simplicity, it’s less costly to produce and generally lighter. Compared to a four-cylinder engine, V6 engines offer more power and run smoother. Fuel economy is one of the biggest benefits of adopting a V6 engine. Lastly, V6 engines can provide more stability and better handling than their V8 counterparts.

V8 Engine

V8 engines typically offer better power and acceleration. That’s why V8 engines are considered fit for most muscle cars. If you mainly use your vehicle for hauling and towing, they can provide a lot of stable power for you. By pressing lightly on the accelerator, the driver can feel the abundant strength and power of the engine. Which is one of the many reasons to hop into a V8 engine car and experience a refined and luxurious ride while enjoying faster acceleration and better performance.

Check out the meaning of V6, V8 and V12 and why they are inscribed on vehicles

What are the ‘V’ Means in a V6 and V8?

When buying a car, there are some things that you need to consider but can be deemed confusing. The V6 versus V8 engine is one of them, and knowing the differences and advantages can be helpful when you are trying to make a purchasing decision.

Simply put, a V6 is a 6-cylinder engine. Whereas a V8 means an 8-cylinder engine. But, you may wonder what the ‘V’ means in V6 and V8. The ‘V’ represents the way cylinders are arranged in your engine. V-type engines have cylinders placed in a V-like shape, or to put it the other way, in two equal rows. This design is commonly used since it requires less space and can fit in most cars.

Conclusion

The V-6 and V-8 designs share several similarities. For one, these engines are generally lighter, and secondly, they tend to be more compact than other engine designs. The advantage of the lightweight and compact design of both V-6 and V-8 engine types is that with the exceptional balance in the vehicle design, the weight savings can improve the level of fuel efficiency.