An iconic engine bows out after 34 years

Volkswagen phased out the VR6 engine in Europe during the mid-2010s, but the unique V6/inline-six hybrid design persisted in North America until recently. The final U.S. vehicle to feature the narrow-angle V6 was the 2023 Atlas. For those outside China, it might be surprising to learn that VW continued offering this distinctive powertrain in models like the Talagon and the gas-powered Audi Q6.
However, that era has now ended—the VR6 is officially retired.
VW spokesperson Andreas G. Schleith confirmed the news on LinkedIn, revealing that the last VR6 engine was assembled on December 12, 2024. After nearly 34 years in production, the engine, which debuted at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show in the third-generation Golf, has reached the end of its journey. Over its lifespan, approximately 1.87 million units were built, powering a range of iconic VW models, including the Corrado, Beetle, Passat, Vento/Bora/Jetta, Touareg, Phaeton, Transporter, Eos, CC, and Sharan.

The VR6 engine also found its way into numerous non-VW models, including the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Audi TT, SEAT Leon, SEAT Alhambra, and Skoda Superb. Beyond the VW Group, it powered vehicles like the Ford Galaxy, Mercedes Vito, and even Winnebago RVs. Renowned for its distinctive sound, this V6 also served as the foundation for the W12 engine, which was retired in July 2024 when Bentley built the last twelve-cylinder unit.
Let’s not forget the infamously unreliable W8, a short-lived engine that powered the Passat in the early 2000s. The W8 inspired the development of the W16, which powered Bugatti’s Veyron and Chiron models. With the final Mistral and Bolide units, Bugatti is also bidding farewell to the sixteen-cylinder powerhouse. Its successor, the new Tourbillon, features a V16 engine instead.

Volkswagen also experimented with a smaller VR5 engine during the 1990s and 2000s, which powered models like the Golf, Bora, Beetle, Passat, and SEAT Toledo.
So why did the VR6 endure for so long? Its compact yet energetic design made it a versatile, all-in-one solution, delivering solid performance for front-wheel-drive cars in smaller segments. However, the rise of turbocharged inline-fours—with their strong horsepower, ample low-end torque, improved fuel efficiency, and lighter weight—ultimately rendered the VR6 obsolete. Modern four-cylinder engines also allow Volkswagen to streamline production by using a single engine type across multiple vehicles within the Group.
Interestingly, VW secretly developed a prototype sixth-generation Golf in 2009, equipped with a turbocharged 3.2-liter VR6 engine that produced an impressive 463 horsepower. However, this powerful concept never made it to production.
