Car engine types can be broadly categorized by their fuel source and

engine layout. Common fuel sources include petrol, diesel, and

alternative fuels like CNG and LPG. Engine layouts include inline
(straight), V, and flat engines, each with varying numbers of
cylinders. Beyond internal combustion engines, there are also electric
and hybrid options.
Engine Types by Fuel Source:
 Petrol Engines: These engines use gasoline, relying on spark ignition
to ignite the fuel.
 Diesel Engines: Diesel engines use compression ignition, relying on
the heat of compressed air to ignite the fuel.
 Alternative Fuel Engines: These engines run on fuels like CNG
(Compressed Natural Gas) or LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).
 Hybrid Engines: Combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor for
improved fuel efficiency.
 Electric Engines: These engines use electric motors powered by
batteries.
Engine Types by Layout:
 Inline (Straight) Engines: Cylinders are arranged in a straight line.
 V Engines: Cylinders are arranged in a "V" shape, often seen in larger
engines.
 Flat (Boxer) Engines: Cylinders are arranged horizontally, typically
seen in vehicles like Porsches and some Subarus.
Other Engine Types:
 Turbocharged Engines: Use a turbocharger to increase power and
efficiency.
 Naturally Aspirated Engines: Rely on atmospheric pressure to draw
air into the cylinders.
 Rotary Engines: Use rotating rotors instead of pistons, offering a more
compact design.
Types of Car Engines
Key Points

 The engine is a vital part of a vehicle that provides the

power necessary for it to function.

 There are many different types of car engines, with

varying layouts and cylinder configurations.

 Engine layouts can vary, with common options including

straight, inline, V, and flat configurations. Cylinder
configurations also vary, with options ranging from twin-
cylinder to six-cylinder engines.

 Most late-model vehicles use internal combustion

engines, which ignite fuel to convert energy into torque.

 The combustion cycle in an internal combustion engine

consists of intake, compression, combustion and exhaust
strokes.

There are many important parts of a vehicle that help keep it

running and able to move from place to place. One of the
most vital is the engine. It produces the power necessary for
your car to function.
Did you know there are many types of car engines out there?
The layouts and cylinder configurations can vary. Keep
reading to find out more about how vehicle engines work, as
well as some of the different layouts and configurations.

How Car Engines Work

While there are several different types of engines, when it
comes to size and layout, all late-model vehicles (apart from
hybrid electric models) use the internal combustion engine.
Combustion is the process that results from energy being
released from the fuel and air mixture present inside an
engine. An internal combustion engine burns fuel to convert
chemical energy into torque, or mechanical energy.
Internal combustion engines feature fixed cylinders and
moving pistons. The mechanical energy that’s generated is
used to help push the pistons, which then rotate the
crankshaft. Gears that are set in motion in the powertrain
help move the wheels on the vehicle.
Combustion cycle
There are thousands of controlled explosions occurring every
minute the engine is running. Most internal combustion
engines have a four-stroke combustion cycle :

 Intake: The air-fuel mixture gets drawn in through intake

valves and sent to the cylinders.

 Compression: Both intake and exhaust valves are closed

during the compression stroke. As pistons move up, the
air and fuel mixture is compressed.

 Combustion: The spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture

with a spark, creating a small explosion. This causes the
pistons to get pushed down forcefully.

 Exhaust: The final process in the cycle is the exhaust

stroke. The exhaust valve opens, and gases created
during combustion are expelled as the piston moves back
up.
Diesel engines are also often four-stroke engines, but they’re
different from engines that are gasoline-powered in how they
perform the combustion process. Instead of using spark
plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture, they rely on high
compression ratios.

Types of Engines’ Layouts

While most vehicles use internal combustion engines, the
setup of these engines can vary. The cylinder layouts can
vary, depending on the amount of power a manufacturer
wants the car to have or to ensure the engine will fit the
space that’s allotted.
The most common cylinder layouts include:

 Straight: Cylinders in a straight engine layout are

arranged in a line parallel to the car from front to back.
This allows more cylinders to fit, making this layout
popular for powerful sedan models.

 Inline: Inline engines feature cylinders that are arranged

side-by-side and upright. This is a popular configuration
since it allows for a smaller, compact engine.
 V: When viewed from the front, the cylinders in a V-
engine are arranged in a V-shape. They feature the
cylinders arranged at a 60-degree angle. These engines
allow a lot of cylinders to fit and are often found in high-
performance models.

 Flat: Also referred to as a boxer engine, the cylinders lie

horizontally. This engine type is uncommon and is most
often found in Porsche vehicles . They do offer the benefit
of a low center of gravity within the engine bay.
Cylinder Configurations
The number of cylinders a vehicle has helps determine the
amount of power an engine can produce. Items
like turbochargers allow for extra compression in the
combustion chamber, meaning engine power can be
increased without adding more cylinders.
The smallest engine configuration is a twin-cylinder, but these
don’t offer much power or capacity. However, they are
sometimes found on smaller eco-friendly engines.
Three-cylinder engines typically are arranged in a straight-
engine layout and can sometimes be found on smaller
vehicles or hatchbacks. This compact design provides good
fuel economy, and cars can still have a decent amount of
power with the addition of a turbocharger.
The most common engine configuration is the four-cylinder,
which is found on a variety of vehicles from small to
midrange. A four-cylinder engine is set up in an inline design
and offers a good amount of engine output.
The number of cylinders in an engine can continue to
increase, like six-cylinder engines that are found in high-end
performance and sports cars.

Engines vs. Motors

The terms “engine” and “motor” are often used
interchangeably because they have a singular goal –
supplying motive force, or converting power into motion.
However, engines and motors accomplish this in very
different ways.
As we’ve learned, engines have several moving parts that
work together to ignite an air-fuel mixture. This ignition
prompts a small explosion that creates thermal energy, later
converted into mechanical energy that moves the vehicle.
Motors also convert power into mechanical energy, but their
power source is electricity. For instance, electric
 vehicles have motors that draw energy from a battery pack
instead of a fuel source.
So, the primary difference between engines and motors is
that engines use an internal source (fuel), while motors
require an external power source (electricity).

Car engine types can be broadly categorized by fuel type (petrol, diesel,
electric, hybrid) and by engine layout (inline/straight, V,
flat/boxer). Within these categories, there are variations in cylinder
configurations (twin, three, four, six, eight, etc.).
Fuel Type:
 Petrol (Gasoline):
Known for smooth performance and responsiveness, using spark
ignition.
 Diesel:
Offers higher torque and fuel efficiency, often used in larger vehicles
and long-distance travel.
 Electric:
Utilizes electric motors and batteries for propulsion, offering zero
emissions and quiet operation.
 Hybrid:
Combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor,
improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
 Alternative Fuels (CNG, LPG):
Some vehicles are powered by compressed natural gas or liquefied
petroleum gas.
Engine Layout:
 Inline/Straight:
Cylinders are arranged in a straight line, a common and compact
design.
 V:
 Cylinders are arranged in a V shape, often found in larger, higher-
performance engines.
 Flat/Boxer:
Cylinders are arranged horizontally, offering a lower center of gravity
and balanced operation.
 Rotary:
Uses a rotor instead of pistons, compact but potentially less fuel-
efficient.
Engine Configuration (Cylinder Count):
 Twin-Cylinder:
Rarely used in cars, more common in two-wheelers.
 Three-Cylinder:
Becoming more popular for smaller cars, offering a balance of
performance and fuel efficiency.
 Four-Cylinder:
A very common and versatile configuration, suitable for a wide range of
vehicles.
 Six-Cylinder:
Offers a smooth and balanced driving experience, often used in larger
vehicles.
 Eight-Cylinder (and above):
Used in luxury cars and performance vehicles, known for power and
refinement.
Additional Considerations:
 Naturally Aspirated: Relies on atmospheric pressure to draw air into
the cylinders, a common design.
 Turbocharged/Supercharged: Use forced induction to increase power
and efficiency.
 Direct Injection: Delivers fuel directly into the combustion chamber,
improving efficiency.