The in-line five-cylinder engine occupies an interesting technical position between the four-cylinder and the six-cylinder engine. It combines the compact dimensions of a four-cylinder engine with significantly smoother running and a distinctive sound.
While a four-cylinder engine fires every 180 degrees of crankshaft rotation, the five-cylinder engine fires every 144 degrees. As a result, power strokes occur more frequently, delivering torque to the crankshaft more evenly.
- Improved smoothness
- More even power delivery
- Reduced load-change effects
A five-cylinder engine has 25% more displacement and one more cylinder than a comparable four-cylinder engine, yet it is significantly shorter than an in-line six-cylinder engine.
This provides:
- High torque
- Strong power reserves
- Space-efficient design for front-wheel-drive vehicles
The odd number of cylinders and the 144-degree firing interval create a unique sound. The pressure pulses follow a distinctive rhythm, producing a legendary engine note.
The five-cylinder engine runs more smoothly than a four-cylinder engine. The mass forces and torsional vibrations are distributed more favourably, reducing vibrations.
The Audi five-cylinder engines of the EA828 and EA855 engine families have proven to be particularly robust. Their design is ideally suited to:
- Turbocharging
- High torque
- Motorsport applicationst