Volkswagen air-cooled engine

Volkswagen Boxer Engine
Overview
ManufacturerVolkswagen
Production1936–2006
Layout
ConfigurationFlat-4 naturally aspirated petrol engine
Displacement1.0 L (985 cc)
1.1 L (1,131 cc)
1.2 L (1,192 cc)
1.3 L (1,285 cc)
1.5 L (1,493 cc)
1.6 L (1,584 cc)
1.7 L (1,679 cc)
1.8 L (1,795 cc)
2.0 L (1,971 cc)
Cylinder bore70 mm (2.76 in)
75 mm (2.95 in)
77 mm (3.03 in)
83 mm (3.27 in)
85.5 mm (3.37 in)
90 mm (3.54 in)
93 mm (3.66 in)
94 mm (3.70 in)
Piston stroke64 mm (2.52 in)
69 mm (2.72 in)
66 mm (2.60 in)
71 mm (2.80 in)
Chronology
SuccessorVolkswagen Wasserboxer engine

The Volkswagen air-cooled engine is an air-cooled, gasoline-fuelled, boxer engine with four horizontally opposed cast-iron cylinders, cast aluminum alloy cylinder heads and pistons, magnesium-alloy crankcase, and forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods.

There are two distinct families/variations of the aircooled engine namely Type 1 and Type 4. The Type 3 engine is a variation of the Type 1 engine with pancake cooling arrangement.

Variations of the engine were produced by Volkswagen plants worldwide from 1936 until 2006 for use in Volkswagen's own vehicles, notably the Type 1 (Beetle), Type 2 (bus, transporter), Type 3, and Type 4. Additionally, the engines were widely used in industrial, light aircraft and kit car applications.