Editing V16 engine

{{Short description|Type of engine}}
[[Image:1933MarmonV16-engine.jpg|thumb|1933 [[Marmon Motor Car Company|Marmon]] automotive engine.]]

A '''V16 engine''' is a sixteen-cylinder [[Internal combustion engine#Reciprocating engines|piston engine]] where two banks of eight cylinders are arranged in a [[V engine|V configuration]] around a common crankshaft. V16 engines are less common than engines with fewer cylinders, such as V8 and V12 engines. Each bank of a V16 engine can be thought of as a [[straight-eight engine|straight-eight]], a design that can be inherently [[engine balance|balanced]]. Most V16 engines have a 45° bank angle.

The first use of a V16 engine was in the 1910 [[Antoinette VII]] experimental aircraft, followed by several cars in the 1930s. Today, the most common applications for V16 engines are railroad locomotives, marine craft, and stationary power generators.

== Automotive applications ==

=== Production cars ===
[[File:Cadillac452engine.jpg|thumb|right|Early 1930s [[Cadillac V16 engine]] ]]

The first production car to use a V16 engine was the [[Cadillac V-16]], introduced in January 1930. The [[Cadillac V16 engine]] was initially produced with a displacement of {{convert|452|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}}, [[overhead valve engine|OHV]] and a V-angle of 45 degrees. For the 1938 [[Cadillac V16#1938–1940|Series 90]], the engine was revised to a displacement of {{convert|431|cuin|1|abbr=on}}, a [[flathead engine|flathead valvetrain]] and a V-angle of 135 degrees (the latter in order to achieve a lower cowl height). This 431&nbsp;cu. in. version produced as much power as its immediate predecessor while being far less complex, had a stiffer crankshaft that aided durability and smoothness, and even had an external oil filter, a rarity for any car at any price in those days.

The [[Marmon Motor Car Company]] actually began development of a V16 engine in 1927 (earlier than Cadillac). Its development program took longer, however, and the ''Marmon Sixteen'' was released in 1931. This engine had a V-angle of 45 degrees, used pressed steel [[cylinder liner]]s and was constructed mostly of aluminum. Only 400 Marmon Sixteens were produced between 1931 and 1933. 
In 1991, the [[Cizeta-Moroder V16T]] began production, featuring a 16-cylinder engine in a unique configuration. Rather than a conventional V16 layout, the engine was actually two separate sets of [[transverse engine|transversely mounted]] V8 cylinders in a single block with gearing between the two sets providing a single output from the center of the engine to the transmission. Only a few cars were produced before the company ceased operations. In June 2024, Bugatti unveiled the [[Bugatti Tourbillon|Tourbillon]], the successor to the [[Bugatti Chiron|Chiron]], marking a modern revival of the V16 configuration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Communications |first=Bugatti |date=2025-04-24 |title=Silence to Symphony: The Birth of Bugatti’s new Mechanical Heart – Bugatti Newsroom |url=https://newsroom.bugatti.com/press-releases/silence-to-symphony |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=newsroom.bugatti.com |language=en}}</ref> The Tourbillon features an 8.3L (506 cu in) naturally aspirated V16 engine co-developed with [[Cosworth]]. Weighing just 252 kg in total–lighter than the naturally aspirated [[Aston Martin]] 6.0- litre V12-the engine incorporates titanium connecting rods and a carbon fibre inlet plenum to minimize weight. Paired with three electric motors, the hybrid system delivers a combined 1,800 horsepower, enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.0 seconds. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Cosworth’s most powerful naturally aspirated hypercar engine unleashed |url=https://www.cosworth.com/news/cosworth-s-most-powerful-naturally-aspirated-hypercar-engine-unleashed/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.cosworth.com |language=en}}</ref>  

=== Prototype cars ===
[[File:1932_Peerless.jpg|thumb|right|1932 [[Peerless Motor Company|Peerless]] Sixteen prototype]]
The [[Peerless Motor Company]] developed a V16 engine in the early 1930s, yet just a single prototype was built before all automobile production ceased and the company converted its factory into a brewery following [[Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution|the end of Prohibition in the United States]].<ref>Georgano, G. N., ed. (1971). Encyclopedia of American Automobiles (2nd ed.). London: Rainbird Reference Books. pp. 153–154. {{ISBN|0-525-097929}}.</ref>

In the late 1980s, the [[BMW Goldfish V16]] {{convert|6.7|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} engine was developed, based on BMW's then-new V12 engine. Prototypes were fitted to a long-wheelbase 7 Series and then in the early 1990s to a [[Bentley Mulsanne (1980–1992)|Bentley Mulsanne]].

The 2003 [[Cadillac Sixteen]] concept car was unveiled with a {{convert|13.6|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} V16 engine, which was based on the General Motors LS V8 engines.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Drive: Cadillac Sixteen |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/112_0308_cadillac_sixteen/ |website=www.motortrend.com |date=4 August 2003 |access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref> The following year, the [[Rolls-Royce 100EX]] concept car was unveiled with a {{convert|9.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} V16 engine. The car featured in the film ''[[Johnny English Reborn]]'' is powered by this V16 engine.

The 2017 [[Devel Sixteen|Devel Sixteen Prototype]] used a quad-turbo {{convert|12.3|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} V16 engine.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Jeff |title=5,000-HP Devel Sixteen Could Debut In Dubai With Working Engine |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/186075/devel-sixteen-hypercar-debut-dubai/ |website=www.motor1.com |access-date=3 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Racing cars ===
[[File:1930 Maserati V4 16-cylinder engine.jpg|thumb|right|A 22.5-degree [[Maserati Tipo V4|Maserati V4]] 16-cylinder engine]]
[[File:AutoUnion16Zyl.jpg|thumb|right|[[Auto Union racing car|Auto Union Type C]] engine]]
{{Listen|filename=Auto Union Type A (1934).ogg|title=1934 Auto Union Type A|description=Auto Union Type A}}

The first known use of a V16 in motor racing was the [[Maserati Tipo V4]] car used in Grand Prix racing.<ref>{{cite web |title=A history of innovation |url=https://www.maserati.com/ma/fr/marque/OLD-history-innovations |website=www.maserati.com |access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref> The Tipo V4 debuted at Monza in 1929 and achieved a world speed record of {{convert|152.8|mph|km/h|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} at an event in Cremona, Italy.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Short and Intruiging History of V-16 and W-16 engines |url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/the-short-and-intriguing-history-of-v-16-and-w-16-engines/ |website=TopSpeed.com |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref>

At the [[1931 Indianapolis 500]], a custom-built V16 engine was fitted to a [[Cord (automobile)|Cord]] "supercar" driven by Shorty Cantlon. The car was competitive, charging from 26th on the grid to 3rd, but was slowed by unreliability, further exacerbated by having to change all sixteen spark plugs. The following year, Bryan Saulpaugh qualified the car in third position. The car suffered a broken oil line on lap 55 and their race was over. Shortly after the race the V16 was removed and replaced with a conventional Miller four-cylinder engine.<ref>[http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO09&CarID=r207&fc=0 1931 Miller V16 Racing Car] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712071351/http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO09 |date=2009-07-12 }}, ''RM Auctions'', Retrieved 2010-06-14</ref>

The mid-engined [[Auto Union racing car|Auto Union]] ''Type A'', ''Type B'' and ''Type C'' Grand Prix cars of 1933 to 1938 were powered by supercharged {{convert|4.4|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} engines. Due to a rule change in 1938, these were replaced by a V12 engine for the ''Type D'' racing car. Prior to this rule change, the [[Alfa Romeo Tipo 316]] competed at the 1938 Tripoli Grand Prix powered by a 60-degree V16 engine, and in 1939 an unusual 135-degree V16 engine was installed in the [[Alfa Romeo Tipo 162]].<ref name="alfaklub.dk">{{cite web|url=http://www.alfaklub.dk/_kb_mthclassic_2001_1.html|title=ALFA ROMEO TIPO 162|access-date=2007-12-18|work=alfaklub.dk |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080601033405/http://www.alfaklub.dk/_kb_mthclassic_2001_1.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-06-01}}</ref>

The only known use of a V16 engine in the post-World War II era is the [[British Racing Motors V16|British Racing Motors (BRM) V16 engine]] used in Formula One racing from 1950 to 1955. The engine was a {{convert|91|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} supercharged design, which was unsuccessful despite its high power output. Officially, it produced {{convert|550|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} but probably delivered around {{convert|600|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref>Nye, Doug (2003). BRM: Front Engined Cars, 1945-1960. Volume 1. Motor Racing Publications. {{ISBN|0-947981-37-3}}.</ref> The car was difficult to drive, due to the power band being in a narrow range and at high RPM.
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== Marine / rail applications ==
[[Image:MGO V16 BSHR.jpg|thumb|Tampella MGO engine in a [[VR Class Dv12]] locomotive]]
{{more citations needed section|small=yes|date=July 2020}}

The V16 configuration is also used in several large displacement [[diesel engine]]s that are used as marine engines or in rail [[locomotive]]s. This is due to manufacturers often designing an engine around a fixed displacement per [[cylinder (engine)|cylinder]], then adding additional cylinders to the design until the required power output is achieved. For example, the [[EMD 710|Electro-Motive Diesel 710]] engine range uses a displacement of {{convert|710|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} per cylinder, with the 16 cylinder version (called the ''EMD 16-710'') producing over {{convert|4300|hp|MW|abbr=on}}.

[[GE Transportation]] produces the ''7FD Series'' four-stroke engines (used in marine, locomotive, and stationary applications), which have a displacement of {{convert|668|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} per cylinder and can produce over {{convert|4400|hp|MW|abbr=on}}. GE also manufactures the GEVO-16, which produces over {{convert|6000|hp|MW|2|abbr=on}}.

Another V16 diesel engine is the ''[[Wärtsilä]] 46F'', which produces over {{convert|25,700|hp|MW|1|abbr=on}} at 600 rpm.<ref name="Wärtsilä 46F">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wartsila.com/marine/build/engines-and-generating-sets/diesel-engines/wartsila-46f|title=Wärtsilä 46F - diesel engine|website=Wartsila.com}}</ref>

In the UK from 1947 onwards, [[English Electric]]'s subsidiary [[English Electric diesel engines]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=English Electric Diesel Engines - Graces Guide|url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/English_Electric_Diesel_Engines|access-date=2020-10-14|website=www.gracesguide.co.uk}}</ref> developed a V16 engine for rail and marine use based on its 10" bore x 12" stroke (254mm x 305mm) K series from the 1930s, notably used in [[British Rail]]ways class [[British Rail Class 40|40]] and [[British Rail Class 50|50]] locomotives with power output in the range 2000-3000&nbsp;hp (1492-2238&nbsp;kW) at speeds ranging from 600 to 900 rpm. This engine too derives from a series based on a fixed cylinder size of 942 cu.in. (15.4 L) per cylinder, giving the V16 a total capacity of 15,072 cu.in. (246 L).

Another notable maker to offer the V16 configuration was [[Detroit Diesel]] corporation, especially in their 71, 92 and 149 series [[Two-stroke engine|2-stroke]] diesel engines, with output ranging from around 650 to over 2400&nbsp;bhp (485-1790&nbsp;kW) at speeds over 2000 rpm in the smaller ranges.  Once again these engines were based on common parts (the numeric designation is the cylinder size in cubic inches) and were used for maritime, generator and off-road mine truck applications.  The modular nature of the engines meant that the V16 configuration was built by putting together two V8 engine blocks and the 2-stroke cycle offered excellent power to weight, with the 16V149 being capable of equalling the output of much larger, slower-running 4-stroke engines.

[[Fairbanks Morse]] manufactures the following V16 diesel engines, FM | [[ALCO 251]]F, FM | COLT-PIELSTICK PA6B STC, FM | COLT-PIELSTICK PC2.5 STC, FM | MAN 28/33D STC, FM | MAN 32/44CR, FM | MAN 48/60 CR and the FM | MAN 175D.

== Aircraft applications  ==
[[File:Antoinette latham.jpg|thumb|[[Antoinette VII]] experimental aircraft]]
The 1910 version of the [[Antoinette VII]] was powered by a V16 engine and competed in the 1910 [[Gordon Bennett Trophy (aeroplanes)|Gordon Bennett Cup]] in the United States.<ref name="MoteursEtAeroplans">{{cite web|url=http://www.hydroretro.net/etudegh/antoinette.pdf|title=Les moteurs et aéroplanes Antoinette|author=Hartmann Gerard|date=2007-08-05|language=fr|trans-title=Antoinette engines and aeroplanes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214235209/http://www.hydroretro.net/etudegh/antoinette.pdf|archive-date=2014-12-14|access-date=2009-11-08|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The 1930s [[Hindenburg-class airship|Hindenburg airships]] were each powered by four [[Daimler-Benz DB 602]] V16 diesel engines.

In the first half of the 20th century, several prototype aircraft used V16 engines, including:
* 1907 prototype designed by [[Antoinette (manufacturer)|Antoinette]] engineer [[Léon Levavasseur]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
* [[Duesenberg]] developed a V16 engine for use in military aircraft in the mid 1910s.  World War I ended prior to the engine being tested in an aircraft.<ref name="DaveThomas">{{cite web| url=http://www.pbase.com/dw_thomas/image/113092455| title=Duesenberg V16 Aircraft Engine| first=Dave| last= Thomas| date=2009-05-24| work=PBase.com| access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref>
* The [[Chrysler IV-2220]] inverted V16 engine began development in 1939, when Chrysler was contracted by the United States government to create a new engine for use in fighter aircraft. The resulting engine was rated at {{convert|2500|hp|kW|abbr=on}},{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}, however it took until June 1945 for the engine to be in a state ready for testing. A prototype engine was installed in a [[P-47 Thunderbolt]] (designated the ''XP-47H''),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enginehistory.org/Museums/chrysler.htm |title=IV-2220 at Walter P. Chrysler Museum, Auburn Hills, Michigan |publisher=Enginehistory.org |access-date=2011-11-25 }}</ref> which achieved a top speed of {{convert|504|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. World War II ended shortly after the tests, therefore development of the engine ceased.

== See also ==
{{Commons category|V16 engines}}
* [[Flat-sixteen engine]]
* [[W16 engine]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Piston engine configurations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:V16 engines| ]]
[[Category:Piston engine configurations]]
[[Category:V engines|16]]