W engines & crankshafts/gearing

[Tornado]

And don't get me started about VW calling the VR-6 engine a DOHC design. LIARS!!!!

Well, technically it is. Kinda by a loophole, but still. It really depends on what definition of "DOHC" you use.

 

[Wolfe]

Looking up the VR6's cam placement to see what you guys are talking about, yes, it's a DOHC. The engine is a wonky straight-six, not really a narrow V.

 

[wfooshee]

Yes, it has one intake cam and one exhaust cam, but not one per bank. More like a straight 6 DOHC.
Found this illustration:

Edit: Tree'd, but I found a picture.

 

[Turbo_G54B]

I'm surprised this wasn't posted sooner.

 

[Leonidae]

About Radial engines.. did you guys know that Ferdinand Porsche actually planned using radial in the original VW.. was it KDF-wagen or even the beetle..

From Wiki:

Starting in 1931, Ferdinand Porsche and Zündapp developed the "Auto für Jedermann" (car for everyman). This was the first time the name "Volkswagen" was used. Porsche already preferred the flat-4 cylinder engine, but Zündapp used a watercooled 5-cylinder radial engine. In 1932, three prototypes were running.[2] All of those cars were lost during the war, the last in a bombing raid over Stuttgart in 1945.

In October 1935 the first Type 60 was ready. 1935 the testing of the "V 3" started. The "VW30" Prototypes awaited further testing in 1937. All cars already had the distinctive round shape and the air-cooled, rear-mounted engine, except for the Type 12, Zündapp preferred a 5-cylinder radial watercooled engine.