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Volkswagen assembled its final VR6 engine on December 12, 2024, ending a 34-year production run. Volkswagen communications manager Andreas Schleith said nearly 1.87 million engines had been produced. The VR6 left the U.S. Atlas lineup earlier, for the 2024 model year, while some China-market crossovers reportedly continued with it after the U.S. change.
When did Volkswagen stop making the VR6?
Schleith said the last VR6 was assembled on December 12, 2024. He described the engine as having run for 34 years and reaching nearly 1.87 million units. Those production figures and the final assembly date come from his public statement, rather than a formal Volkswagen press release.
The end of engine production was not the same as the end of every vehicle application in every market. Volkswagen’s U.S. Atlas moved to a turbocharged four-cylinder for model year 2024. Contemporary reporting said some China-market crossovers retained the VR6 after its U.S. exit before switching to four-cylinder powertrains; the available research does not establish every final China-market model or its exact changeover date.
What made the VR6 different from a conventional V6?
The VR6 placed six cylinders in a narrow-angle arrangement between a conventional V and an inline engine. Car and Driver explains that the compact layout allowed the engine to use one cylinder head and gasket and fit vehicles designed for four-cylinder power. “VR” combines the angled arrangement with the German word Reihenmotor, meaning inline engine.
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Schleith dates the VR6’s introduction to the 1991 Geneva Motor Show and identifies the first Golf VR6 as a 2.8-liter engine producing 174 hp. Volkswagen used the engine in several models over its long run, including the Golf, Corrado, Passat, Touareg, and Atlas.
How the U.S. Atlas changed
The U.S. Atlas was one of the VR6’s last notable applications, but Volkswagen announced a four-cylinder-only powertrain for the 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The comparison below reflects the cited 2023 and 2024 U.S. specifications; Volkswagen described the 2024 figures as preliminary.
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| U.S. model year | Engine | Output | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Atlas VR6 | 3.6-liter VR6 | 276 hp; 266 lb-ft | Reported by Car and Driver |
| 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport | 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder | 269 hp; 273 lb-ft | Volkswagen of America announcement; preliminary specifications |
Volkswagen of America said the 2024 Atlas family’s towing capacity remained 5,000 pounds. That figure and the turbo-four specifications apply to the U.S. models in its announcement.
Why the VR6’s production ended
The documented timeline shows Volkswagen replacing the VR6 in the U.S. Atlas with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, followed by the final global engine assembly in December 2024. The sources available for this article do not establish a single official reason for ending worldwide production, so claims that regulations, electrification, or a particular engineering disadvantage alone caused its retirement should be treated cautiously.
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The VR6’s distinctive contribution was its compact six-cylinder layout, which helped it fit vehicles originally designed around four-cylinder power. Its long run across models such as the Golf, Corrado, Passat, and Atlas made it an unusual and enduring part of Volkswagen’s engine history.
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When did Volkswagen stop making the VR6?
Volkswagen communications manager Andreas Schleith said the final engine was assembled on December 12, 2024, after a 34-year run.
What was the last U.S. vehicle with a VR6?
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas was the last U.S. Atlas model year with the VR6. The 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport switched to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, according to Volkswagen of America’s announcement.
Was the VR6 still sold in China after it left the U.S.?
Contemporary automotive reporting said some China-market crossovers retained the VR6 after its U.S. exit and later changed to four-cylinder powertrains. The sources available here do not specify every final model or the exact replacement date.
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Why is the VR6 different from a V6?
Its six cylinders sit in a narrow-angle arrangement between a conventional V and an inline layout. Car and Driver notes that this compact configuration can use one cylinder head and gasket and fit applications designed for four-cylinder power.
How many VR6 engines did Volkswagen make?
Andreas Schleith, Volkswagen communications manager, said nearly 1.87 million VR6 engines were produced over 34 years.
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