The Inline Six-Cylinder is Back Again!
The inline six cylinder engine is coming back! It’s exciting, even if it is old news by now. Mercedes has decided to take a leap into the pages of history by reintroducing it to the world. To be clear, the inline six engine has never fully disappeared. BMW uses this layout in most of their six cylinder cars. However, the inline six has largely disappeared everywhere else. The application of this layout by another prominent car manufacturer could signal an important step forward in its resurgence into the market. Let’s take a look at just why that matters.
For the sake of those who don’t care or know what kind of weight the straight six has had in automotive history, let me just give you an idea of why you probably haven’t heard of anything besides a V-6. Inline six cylinder engines have essentially died out because they take up a large amount of space and because so many manufacturers are downgrading from larger six and eight cylinder engines to four cylinder engines that can produce just as much performance. V-6 engines are also much more compact and the space-saving layout can have greater overall benefits, even if the V-6 layout has some greater flaws than the inline variant.
Despite the advantages and increased popularity of other engines, the straight six is a special engine. Some of the greatest cars ever made have enjoyed the pleasure of possessing this heart of gold. The history of this engine is riddled with greatness, and even today, is commonly swapped into project cars just to experience the performance and durability of legends past.
The BMW E46 M3, perhaps the best M3 ever, and the M1, possibly the best M car ever, both used a beautiful sounding inline six to power both to greatness. The wonderful Japanese RB26DETT engine was used to power the R32, R33, and R34 Nissan Skylines, all of which are some of the most sought after tuner cars in the world, with the R34 possibly being one of the greatest cars ever made. While we’re in Japan, we can’t forget the iconic 2JZ, which powered the Mk4 Toyota Supra. Perhaps the most sought after engine in the world, the 2JZ is bulletproof and easily modifiable. Jaguar’s beautiful and iconic E-Type along with Mercedes’ 300SL gullwing was also powered by an inline six. Both cars are highly coveted and fetch monstrous prices at auction today.
It’s easy to see that Mercedes has quite a bit to live up to considering the engine’s extensive history. Of all the manufacturers to attempt restoring something that has all but died off, I believe that Mercedes can do it, albeit while never reaching the achievements and desirability of its predecessors. BMW has held on this far, and being one of Mercedes’ largest competitors, it will just give them the motivation to do it right. That doesn’t mean that Mercedes won’t fail.
The current BMW lineup that uses the straight six doesn’t come nearly as close to the legendary status once held by the inline sixes of old. I don’t think that any inline six will ever reach the heights set by past engines. Mercedes won’t be using the engine to power anything too special, and they aren’t re-creating the engine for anything more than ease of manufacturing and efficiency. The current crop of the BMW M2, M3, and M4 being the exception, BMW just uses the inline 6 because they have been.
What does all of this mean? Why does all this matter to everyone, including those that don’t care too much about cars? It matters to everyone because of the possibilities. The fact that another rather large and important manufacturer has brought back something that was dead means that possibilities are being explored. It means that even though something died because of practicality issues, it is being brought back because of a workaround, making the once impractical, something that has again become valuable. Ultimately, that signifies a willingness to be the best for you and me, even if the best means re-inventing something that was all but thrown away.
For those who hear the words “inline six”, it means that the door is being re-opened to the past. There is now the possibility of something exciting just over the horizon. The idea that, “if they can do it, so can I”, has been revitalized. This may be the re-kindling of a flame that may be dim now, but provides just enough of a spark to light a fire for those in the future.
–SWF
