What is the difference between V12 and W12 engines?
2 Answers
Difference between V12 and W12 engines: 1. Different structures: The V12 engine has a simple structure, good operational balance, and compact size; the W12 engine has a more compact structure, can accommodate more cylinders, and has a larger displacement. 2. Different arrangement methods: The V12 engine is arranged in a V shape; the W12 engine is arranged in a W shape. An engine is a machine that can convert other forms of energy into mechanical energy, including internal combustion engines (reciprocating piston engines), external combustion engines (Stirling engines, steam engines, etc.), jet engines, electric motors, etc.
Having driven my friend's Bentley and S-Class, the difference between the V12 and W12 is quite noticeable. The V12 is like two teams of soldiers arranged in a V-shape, with 6 cylinders symmetrically distributed on each side, making the engine bay look very neat but taking up more longitudinal space. The W12 is more like combining two rows of V6 engines, with the 12 cylinders arranged in four staggered rows, making the entire engine more compact and flat. When I drove the W12-powered Audi A8, I clearly felt that the front end could be designed more aerodynamically, with a significantly lower drag coefficient. However, the W12's structure is more complex, and the mechanics were sweating profusely during repairs. For ultimate smoothness, the V12 still has a slight edge, especially at high RPMs with that silky sensation, but the W12 has already reached a level where ordinary drivers can hardly tell the difference. Both engines are costly, and they've become even rarer with the rise of electric vehicles.
