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Flat-6

The flat-6 engine of the Honda Valkyrie motorcycle

A flat-6 is a 6 cylinder configuration of a flat engine or "boxer" engine. The cylinders are laid horizontally, with three on each side. The movement of the pistons in a horizontal engine is all in the same plane, so it creates less vibration than in a V-configuration engine; particularly one with an odd number of cylinders on each side of the engine, like a V6.

Only a few auto makers have used flat-6 engines, among them Porsche and Subaru. Citron developed one for the DS but abandoned it due to numerous problems. In the 1960s, Chevrolet made the Corvair with flat-6 air-cooled engines. The shape of the engine suits it better for rear engine designs, where the low center of gravity is an advantage; in front engine designs the width interferes with the ability of the front wheels to steer.

Lycoming developed a very successful series of flat-6 aircraft engines, as used in many Cessna aircraft.

Flat-6 engines are used in Honda Gold Wing and Honda Valkyrie motorcycles.


Piston engine configurations
Straight Single, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14
V 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24
Flat 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16
W 8, 12, 16, 18
Other inline H, VR6, Opposed, U (Square)
Other Radial, Rotary, Pistonless (Wankel)