Straight Shooter

Sure, a V6 is easier to package, but for smoothness neither a four, a V6 nor a V8 can hold a candle to a straight-six’s perfect dynamic balance. It’s free from linear or twisting forces, the pistons moving in tandem with their mirror image on the other side of the engine block, thus reducing vibrations. By contrast, a 60degree V6 has a pair of unchecked rocking couples, one at crankshaft speed and another at twice crankshaft. A 90-degree V6 suffers even greater balance issues, generally requiring a counterrotating balance shaft to offer acceptable refinement.