<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Sep 28 2007, 01:49 AM) [snapback]93347[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
W engine is totally out of the question with only 4 cylinders, i just considered a VR 4 could be better than an inline, but i don't know enough about it right now, and i'm pretty sure its not free to use technology, or else we would see more cars using it.
Why?
Take a look at the four cylinders in the forefront. Clearly they are narrower than a V-4 of equal bore and stroke; however, they are longer from front to back. Why is that impossible? Exhaust, valves, and balancing would be a ....., but it is possible.
How long do patents last in Europe? 17 years in the U.S. for an item like VR6 which was patented before 1995. My 1993 Passat had a VR6. The tech was probably patented in the late 80's or early 90's.
W engines on the other hand have been around forever! Volkswagen did pioneer the double overlapping V config (4 cylinder banks) so that probably has patents on it, and they are probably only a decade old. However, the Volkswagen W config is just two overlapping VR engines, so it may not have gotten unique patents on the layout config--just on the engine design. Who knows?
W engine is totally out of the question with only 4 cylinders, i just considered a VR 4 could be better than an inline, but i don't know enough about it right now, and i'm pretty sure its not free to use technology, or else we would see more cars using it.
Why?
Take a look at the four cylinders in the forefront. Clearly they are narrower than a V-4 of equal bore and stroke; however, they are longer from front to back. Why is that impossible? Exhaust, valves, and balancing would be a ....., but it is possible.
How long do patents last in Europe? 17 years in the U.S. for an item like VR6 which was patented before 1995. My 1993 Passat had a VR6. The tech was probably patented in the late 80's or early 90's.
W engines on the other hand have been around forever! Volkswagen did pioneer the double overlapping V config (4 cylinder banks) so that probably has patents on it, and they are probably only a decade old. However, the Volkswagen W config is just two overlapping VR engines, so it may not have gotten unique patents on the layout config--just on the engine design. Who knows?
