Straight-six disadvantages

Sadly, there are many reasons why the straight-six engine is all but dead. One of the issues that always occurs is the packaging, since those two extra cylinders make the mounting of the engine in a transverse configuration quite difficult. If the engine is mounted sideways, usually there is not enough space for the size of the transmission and drivetrain needed to use an I6 engine in a FWD vehicle. Also with car manufacturers looking to make powertrains which can be used on as many chassis possible, the elongated I6 engine simply doesn’t quite cut it.

Also the long I6 engine and its components do not have the rigidity found in a more compact engine layout. The long crankshafts and camshafts naturally try to flex very slightly during their rotation, while with the engine block lacks the stiffness of its V6 counterpart. The size of the I6 engine are also an issue in terms of the vehicle’s centre of gravity, with the static and rotating mass sitting slightly higher in the engine bay than other engine options which are more compact.

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