inlinemotorer

An inline engine, also known as a straight engine, is an internal combustion engine in which the cylinders are arranged in a straight line. This configuration is common in automobiles, motorcycles, and many other applications. The cylinders are typically positioned one after another along a single crankshaft.

The primary advantage of an inline engine is its simplicity of design and manufacturing. The inline arrangement leads to a relatively compact and narrow engine block, which can be beneficial for packaging within a vehicle's chassis. It also often results in a smoother operation compared to V-engines, especially with an even number of cylinders, due to the inherent balance of opposing pistons.

Inline engines are most commonly found with two, three, four, or six cylinders. Inline-four engines are particularly popular due to their good balance of power, efficiency, and size, making them a staple in many compact and mid-size cars. Inline-six engines are known for their exceptional smoothness and are often found in larger sedans, trucks, and some performance vehicles. While less common, inline-three engines are gaining popularity in smaller vehicles for their fuel efficiency. Inline-two engines are typically found in motorcycles and smaller industrial equipment.

The main drawback of inline engines, especially as the number of cylinders increases, is their length. An inline-eight or inline-twelve engine would be exceptionally long, making it difficult to fit into most standard vehicle engine bays and potentially leading to crankshaft flex issues. For these reasons, V-engines or other configurations are often preferred for engines with a higher cylinder count.