Why BMW and Subaru Shun V6 Engines for Distinctive Alternatives

Did you know that amidst all the automotive giants who've played around with V6 engines, BMW and Subaru have stayed clear from them in their road cars? Yep, while you can see V6s powering up some seriously cool rides like the Nissan GT-R or the Ford GT, these two brands have taken a different path. Let’s dive into why that is and what they’ve been up to instead.

Starting with BMW, these folks are famous for their love of inline-six engines. This isn't just a fling; it's a deep, long-standing commitment. From the revered E46 M3's S54 to the more modern sizzlers like the S58 engine, BMW’s garage is full of inline-six masterpieces. But a V6? Nope, they've never gone down that road. Word on the street (and by street, I mean automotive nerds in the know) is that BMW prototypes with V6 engines just didn’t vibe with the company’s standards for noise and smoothness. They figured V6 engines, with their uneven cylinder banks and need for extra parts to quell vibrations, just weren’t sleek enough for the BMW lineup.

Over in Subaru’s corner, the story is all about the Boxer engine. If BMW’s relationship with inline-sixes is a long-term commitment, Subaru’s tie with the Boxer engine is the ultimate automotive monogamy. Their engines have pistons that move in and out like a boxer throwing punches—hence the name. Subaru loves this setup not just for its uniqueness but because it brings a bunch of perks like a lower center of gravity and fewer vibrations, which pairs beautifully with their Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

Why no V6, though? Subaru doesn’t really do the typical engine layouts like the V6 because their entire philosophy is built around these flat, smooth-running Boxer engines. It’s not about not liking V6s; they just really, really like what they’ve got.

Despite their no-show in the V6 scene, both BMW and Subaru aren’t shy about flexing with six cylinders. BMW’s still churning out their beloved inline-sixes, with the latest being the beastly S58, powering up the likes of the new M3 and M4 with horsepower that can make your heart skip a beat. Subaru, while they stick to their Boxers, have dabbled in six-cylinder variations, blessing some of their rides like the Outback and the Legacy with that extra oomph.

So, there you have it—while the rest of the car world sometimes feels like a V6 party, BMW and Subaru are the cool loners sticking to what they know and love. And judging by the cars they produce, they’re doing just fine without joining the V6 bandwagon.