An Introduction to W12

Engine

2014
Yi Liu
The Pennsylvania State University
6/12/2014







Introduction:
Engines is always regarded as the key of an automobile. For most people, the better the engine is, the
better the car would be. Based on this concept, Audi redesigned and introduced its first W12 engine in
1991. With years of efforts have Audi made for this engine, it has earned many reputations comparing
to other V or W engines. Because of its advantages which will be further analyzed, Audi W12 engines are
mainly applied to luxury or flagship vehicles such as Audi A8, Bentley Continental GT,making it one of
the best kinds in automobile industry.

Audience and Scope:
This document is for people with interests in collecting information about Audi W12 engines. It assumes
that readers doesnt have sufficient knowledge of how engines are formed and work. In this article,the
operational principle of the engine will be analyzed. For the formation of this engine, working process
and purpose of important components will be introduced.Throughout these, this document intend to
help people have a profound understanding of Audi W12 engine.



Overview:
Operational Principle(process description):
Audi W12 is a type of internal combustion engine(ICE). This engine uses the classical four stroke cycle.
First, it will input a mixture of fuel and oxygen into chambers. Then the piston moves towards the spark
plug, shown in the figure, to compress the mixture. Next, the the spark plug will fire forms a small
explosion, in other word, combustion.By combusting the fuel(normally fossil fuel such as gasoline and
kerosene) in the the combustion chamber which is
an integral part of a working fluid flow circuit, ICE
will convert the liquid fuel into high-temperature
and high-pressure expanded gases containing
massive chemical energies. These energies will
provide components, typically piston, with force to
move to form mechanical energy.Then, with power
transmission part, these mechanical energies are
applied to the wheels, hence, running the vehicle.
Formation(product description):


Unlike the traditional W12 engines that divides these 12 chambers into 3 flat 4 engines,12 chambers
divided into two V6 engines arranged in 2 rows and 3 columns in this engine. Inside the V6 engines, each
pair of chambers have an intersection angle of 15 degrees. And V6 engines are assembled into a W
shaped, shown in the figure, with the intersection angle of 72 degrees.


Figure 1 is the real model of how pistons are arranged in V6 engine.Shown in the
figures(layout of W12), C represents how 2 chambers are assembled in pair. And B
represents how two V6 engines are put together.

Double Over Head Camshaft
Another important part of the W12 engine is the
double over head camshaft. A double overhead
camshaft valve train layout (also known as 'dual
overhead camshaft') is characterized by two
camshafts located within the cylinder head,one
operating the intake valves and one operating the
exhaust valves. This design reduces valve train inertia
more than a single over head camshaft(SOHC)
engine, since the rocker arms are reduced in size A
DOHC design permits a wider angle between intake
and exhaust valves than SOHC engines. This can allow
for a less restricted airflow at higher engine speeds.
Due to its features, DOHC allows the engines to have


higher rotation rate.
Dry Sump Oil System
To ensure excellent performance, Audi decide to
utilize the dry sump oil system instead of the wet
sump oil system. The DSO system have its individual
container and is designed smart enough to supply the
oil with the best timing under whichever condition
the vehicle is running.

Crankshaft Gear
This is the core of Audi W12 engines. Although
only weighs 20.5 kilogram, it is the key to
transfer the mechanical forces from moving
piston to wheels. In addition, by applying 7
bearings, the crankshaft gear used in W12 allows
the engine to have the same ignition order of V6
to achieve better performance.

Advantages:
By applying exclusive features including DOHC, W shape and so on, Audi W12 have advantages in size
and comfort in compare to the competing V12 engines. Because of its relatively smaller size,in contrast
to V12, vehicles can install the W12 engines while still be able to deploy the 4-wheel-drive system. For
instance, Audi A8, Bentley Continental GT and Volkswagen Phaeton which all utilize the W12 engines are
all equipped with 4-wheel-drive system, granting a safer ride. On the others side, cars like Ferrari 458,
Rolls Royce Phantom, using V12 engine are failed to do so. Another important feature of W12 is the
comfort it can provides. Due to the allocation of the two V6 engines, vibrations originated from the
engines can be most likely cancelled. This uniqueness allows the car have a more comfortable operation.








Conclusion:
Based on the analysis,this engine is without doubt a masterpiece.Its beauty is much appreciated and
widely recognized.This engine is becoming very competitive in market regardless of its late-introduction
to automobile industry comparing V engines. Audi regards its W12 engines as one of their prides.
Because of the outstanding performance, Audi always reserve this engine for the high-level models.
Also, Audi contains high expectation of this engine that they would corporate with Bentley to keep
perfecting it in the further.
























References:
1. Wikipedia: W12
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W12_engine#Audi_Avus_show_car_.28three-bank.29
2. Baidu Baike(means encyclopedia)
1. http://baike.baidu.com/view/175010.htm
3. Audi USA http://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-a8lw12
4. Wikipedia: Over Head Camshaft
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overhead_camshaft#Double_overhead_camshaft
5. Wikipedia: Dry Sump Oil System
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_sump
6. Baidu Wenku: Dry Sump Oil System:
1. http://wenku.baidu.com/link?url=_5KVa94Avj_T2uksyhYdJbL72bb-WMU-xpGtGm9SIK-
Mmcb305_TOlQKQFYD36CAS-XoDbdsn1TXdiQ5RlXz5C7rJ-FDeGt-DD538gMXITe
7. Wikipedia: Crankshaft
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crankshaft
8. Google Images
1. http://www.topspeed.com/cars/bentley/2013-bentley-continental-gt-speed-ar111145.html
2. http://www.thetorquereport.com/2010/04/2011_audi_a8_l_debuts_with_500.html
3. http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/ige-w12-engine-crankshaft/797807
4. http://baike.baidu.com/picview/2081420/2081420/0/8601a18b87d6277f4eee43112a381f30e9
24fc1f.html?fr=lemma
5. http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2012/06/wet-sump-and-dry-sump-oiling-system-
differences/
6. http://www.carsons.lk/reboring.html


7. http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/bentley-working-powerful-fuel-efficient-version-w12-
petrol-engine-56113/
8. http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-89315/An-internal-combustion-engine-goes-through-
four-strokes-intake-compression