When talking about car engines, we can categorize them based on their fuel source and

operating principle, as well as their cylinder layout.1

I. By Fuel Source and Operating Principle:

This is the most fundamental way to classify car engines, as it dictates how they generate
power.
1. Internal Combustion Engines (ICE):
These are the most traditional and common car engines. They generate power by
burning fuel inside a combustion chamber.2
○ Gasoline (Petrol) Engines:
■ How they work: Air and gasoline are mixed and drawn into cylinders.3 A spark
plug ignites this mixture, causing an explosion that pushes a piston.4 This linear
motion is converted into rotational motion by a crankshaft, which ultimately
powers the wheels.5
■ Characteristics: Generally lighter, quieter, and rev higher than diesels. Most
passenger cars historically use gasoline engines.
■ Sub-types/Technologies:
■ Naturally Aspirated: Draws air in naturally without forced induction.6
■ Turbocharged/Supercharged: Uses a compressor (turbocharger uses
exhaust gases, supercharger uses a belt from the engine) to force more air
into the engine, increasing power output and efficiency.7
■ Direct Injection (GDI): Fuel is injected directly into the combustion
chamber, allowing for more precise fuel control and often better efficiency.8
■ Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPFI): Fuel is injected into the intake manifold
before the cylinder.9
○ Diesel Engines:
■ How they work: Only air is drawn into the cylinders and compressed to a very
high pressure, making it extremely hot. Diesel fuel is then injected into this hot,
compressed air, which causes it to auto-ignite (no spark plug needed).10 The
expanding gases push the piston.
■ Characteristics: Known for high torque (pulling power) and better fuel economy
than gasoline engines, especially for heavier vehicles and long-distance driving.11
Can be noisier and produce more particulate matter without proper emissions
control.12
■ Sub-types/Technologies:
■ Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI): Precisely controls fuel injection for
better efficiency and reduced emissions.13
■ Turbocharged: Very common in modern diesel engines to boost power and
efficiency.
○ Rotary Engines (Wankel Engines):
■ How they work: Instead of pistons moving up and down, a triangular rotor spins
eccentrically within an oval-shaped chamber, creating distinct areas for intake,
compression, combustion, and exhaust.
■ Characteristics: Very compact, smooth, and high-revving for their size.
However, historically less fuel-efficient and can have higher oil consumption and
emissions compared to piston engines. Rarely found in modern cars, most
famously used by Mazda (e.g., RX-7, RX-8).
2. Electric Motors:
These are the powerhouses of electric vehicles (EVs). They convert electrical energy
directly into mechanical energy.
○ How they work: Based on the principles of electromagnetism. Electric current
flowing through windings creates magnetic fields that interact with other magnets
(either permanent or electromagnet-induced), causing a rotor to spin.14 This
rotational motion drives the wheels.
○ Characteristics: Instant torque (full power from a standstill), quiet operation, zero
tailpipe emissions, and high efficiency.
○ Types used in Cars:
■ Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM): Most common in modern
EVs and hybrids. Use permanent magnets in the rotor for high efficiency and
compact design.
■ Induction Motors (Asynchronous Motors): Often used by some
manufacturers (like Tesla for some models). Simpler, robust, and cost-effective,
but can be less efficient than PMSMs.
■ Switched Reluctance Motors (SRM): Simpler construction, no permanent
magnets or windings in the rotor, potentially lower cost and higher reliability. Still
less common than PMSM or Induction motors.
■ Brushless DC Motors (BLDC): High efficiency and precise control, often found
in smaller EV applications or as auxiliary motors.
3. Hybrid Powertrains:
These combine an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors to
achieve a balance of fuel efficiency and performance.15
○ How they work: The engine and electric motor work together. The electric motor
can assist the engine, power the car at low speeds, or recover energy through
regenerative braking.16 The engine can drive the wheels directly, or act as a
generator to charge the battery.
○ Types:
■ Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV): Uses a small electric motor to assist the
engine (e.g., for start/stop, minor acceleration boost) but cannot power the car
solely on electricity.
■ Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV - Full Hybrid): Can run on electric power alone
for short distances and at low speeds. The battery is charged by the engine or
regenerative braking. (e.g., Toyota Prius)
■ Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): Has a larger battery that can be
charged from an external power source (plugged in). Offers a significant all-
electric driving range before the gasoline engine takes over. (e.g., Mitsubishi
Outlander PHEV)
■ Series Hybrid: The engine acts solely as a generator to charge the battery, and
the electric motor always drives the wheels.
■ Parallel Hybrid: Both the engine and electric motor can directly drive the
wheels, often in combination.17
■ Series-Parallel (or Power-Split) Hybrid: Combines aspects of both series and
parallel, offering the most flexibility in power distribution.
4. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engines (FCEVs):
○ How they work: These vehicles generate electricity on board by combining
hydrogen gas with oxygen from the air in a fuel cell stack.18 The electricity then
powers an electric motor to drive the wheels.19 The only emission is water vapor.
○ Characteristics: Zero tailpipe emissions, quick refueling similar to gasoline cars, but
 rely on a hydrogen fueling infrastructure that is currently limited.
5. Alternative Fuel ICEs:
While less common for mainstream passenger cars in some regions, internal combustion
engines can also be adapted to run on other fuels.20
○ Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) / Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Engines
modified to burn gaseous fuels. Often offer lower emissions but can have reduced
power or require dedicated fuel tanks.
○ Ethanol/Flex Fuel: Engines designed to run on a blend of gasoline and ethanol (e.g.,
E85).21

II. By Cylinder Layout (for Internal Combustion

Engines):
This refers to how the cylinders are arranged within the engine block. This affects the
engine's size, balance, and sound.
● Inline (or Straight) Engine (I3, I4, I6):
○ Cylinders are arranged in a single, straight row.
○ I3 (Inline-3): Compact and fuel-efficient, common in smaller cars.22
○ I4 (Inline-4): The most common configuration for passenger cars, offering a good
balance of power, efficiency, and compactness.
○ I6 (Inline-6): Known for inherent smoothness and balance, often found in larger,
more premium vehicles or performance cars.
● V Engine (V6, V8, V10, V12):23
○ Cylinders are arranged in two banks, forming a "V" shape when viewed from the
front.24 This allows for more cylinders in a shorter engine package.
○ V6: Common in mid-size to larger sedans, SUVs, and trucks, offering more power
than an I4.25
○ V8: Often found in sports cars, muscle cars, and large trucks/SUVs, known for
significant power and a distinctive sound.26
○ V10 & V12: Typically reserved for high-performance sports cars and luxury vehicles,
offering immense power and smoothness.
● Flat (or Boxer) Engine (F4, F6):27
○ Cylinders are arranged horizontally opposed, with pistons moving towards and away
from each other like a boxer's fists.
○ Characteristics: Creates a very low center of gravity, which improves handling.28
Known for smooth operation due to balanced forces. Most famously used by Subaru
and Porsche.
● W Engine (W12, W16):
○ A rare and complex configuration that essentially combines two narrow "V" engines
at a wider angle, creating a "W" shape.29
○ Characteristics: Extremely powerful and compact for their cylinder count. Found in
ultra-luxury and hypercars (e.g., Bugatti, Bentley).

The type of engine in a car is a key factor in its performance, fuel economy, emissions, and
overall driving characteristics.30

Where do I can find the engine name?