What kind of Engine do you need in a car?
- Thread starter HighestOfHigh
- Start date
Giannis
Staff member
The title of the thread, "What kind of an engine do you need in a car" has nothing in common with the title of the poll, "Your favourite engine size".
That said, the kind of engine someone needs in a car is relevant with the type of car. Obviously a V10 would be a nightmare in a hot hatch, in the same way, that a weak four cylinder engine would be totally insufficient in a big SUV.
Since the poll doesn't specify what kind of a car we are talking about I cannot vote, because:
If we are talking about a small hatch, like a Golf, four cylinders are enough.
If we are talking about midsize sedans, like a C or an E, six cylinders are enough.
If we are talking about big sedans, like the S, then you gotta have eight cylinders.
If we are talking about SUVs, like the ML, you just have to buy a diesel. And since it's a diesel, no matter how many cylinders it has, it's still a diesel.
If we are talking about sportscars or supercars, in my opinion, most of them are pointless, so with the basic engine offered, I'd probably be just fine.
That said, the kind of engine someone needs in a car is relevant with the type of car. Obviously a V10 would be a nightmare in a hot hatch, in the same way, that a weak four cylinder engine would be totally insufficient in a big SUV.
Since the poll doesn't specify what kind of a car we are talking about I cannot vote, because:
If we are talking about a small hatch, like a Golf, four cylinders are enough.
If we are talking about midsize sedans, like a C or an E, six cylinders are enough.
If we are talking about big sedans, like the S, then you gotta have eight cylinders.
If we are talking about SUVs, like the ML, you just have to buy a diesel. And since it's a diesel, no matter how many cylinders it has, it's still a diesel.
If we are talking about sportscars or supercars, in my opinion, most of them are pointless, so with the basic engine offered, I'd probably be just fine.
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
Ford's four-cylinder Ecoboost
4 might be enough...
4 might be enough...
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
The best balance for me would be a half lazy V8 with an output of roughly 350hp. Low-end torque is quite important to me as I enjoy travelling with other people in the, so the engine has develop enough torque to make an E-Class sized car drive take off without any stress. With that said the E500 is probably what would work very well for me. Driven the W211 E500 and totally adored the characteristics of the engine.
NarutoRamen
Kraftwagen König
I think the current Chevy's engine (LS3) is good for what you're asking, and so is the upcoming Cayote V8 of the 5.0 Mustang. They both rev high enough to be half-lazy but still offer good old low down torque.
danclk
Precision Tuner
I think the modern 4pots and v6's have more than enough go in them. But on the way to a from work i travel through three long tunnels and a fair few narrow high walled areas which often leaves me dreaming of powering through them to the warble of an Audi 5pot or AMG v8 echoing around me but thats just me bein a big kid,lol.
Hammond enjoying some of my daily commute in a DB9 (mostly 3:05 on ward)
Hammond enjoying some of my daily commute in a DB9 (mostly 3:05 on ward)
Poverty
Oversteer Expert
My slow 4 will kick V8 ass, obviously not all V8's but alot of V8's.
I want my next car to be a 5 cylinder
Gullwing
Chicane Challenger
Yesterday while I was at a stop light two lanes over was a newer GTO. Once the light turned green he took off full throttle. Two lights later we both had to make a left turn (two left turn lanes). So I line up like Lewis Hamilton so I can get a good start, plus I had the inside lane. So I watch the lights and get a great start. I think I caught him off guard because I was in the lead for several seconds when I started to lift off and he then blew on by.
At which point I started thinking about engines, my 2.3 liter I4 vs his 5.7 liter V8. I would have to have two full engines and add another two cylinders to match his. It made be feel warm and fuzzy knowing that liter per liter I kicked his ass
At which point I started thinking about engines, my 2.3 liter I4 vs his 5.7 liter V8. I would have to have two full engines and add another two cylinders to match his. It made be feel warm and fuzzy knowing that liter per liter I kicked his ass
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
People who buy a car based on number of cylinders the engine has -
Of course they would be a fool.
Then again the issue is if you were in the market to buy a car, what would interest you more a v6, v8 model etc.
Sunny
Premium
And that would depend on what kind of car I am in the market for. And even then, I would be looking at engine specs than just the number of cylinders. Having more cylinders doesn't automatically make an engine better.
HighestOfHigh
Cornering Kingpin
This is true. There a several different issues that must be addressed when purchasing a car. But there are cases where engine choice is an option that must be decided upon. I noticed this first hand when I worked in sales at Toyota.
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