Volkswagen is pushing ahead with a new direct-injection V6 petrol engine, sources have revealed.
Development of the new unit, a replacement for the discontinued VR6, is being overseen by VW’s new head of engine development, Fritz Eichler, the man behind the current generation of AMG powerplants. It continues with a swept volume of 3.0 litres and 15deg cylinder bank angle.
The new engine will have forced induction. VW insiders hint at a twin-turbo set-up, as previewed in the Design Vision GTI concept.
The concept’s transverse twin-turbo 3.0-litre VR6 produced 496bhp and 413lb ft. Production versions are described as being less heavily tuned, with between 340bhp and 450bhp.
The new VR6 is set to be used in a number of new VWs, including replacements for the Volkswagen Passat and Passat CC and the production version of the CrossBlue, driven in prototype form here.
