What are straight and V-type engines ? Most car internal combustion (IC) engines are multi-cylinder engines and typically have their cylinders arranged in one of two ways, an ‘ in-line ’, or a ‘V’, although other combinations exits. In an in-line engine , as the name indicates, all the cylinders are in a row. Inline engines are a type of internal combustion engine commonly found in a wide range of vehicles, from motorcycles to cars and even industrial machinery. They are among the most widely used engine configurations worldwide, largely due to their simplicity, compact design, and efficiency. But what exactly is an inline engine , and how does it function? In this article, we will explore the concept of inline engines , their types, the working principles, and their advantages and disadvantages in ... Inline Engines Inline (or “ straight ”) engines have all their cylinders lined up in a row, which means they tend to be longer than the V configuration. For this reason, inline engines are usually found in 3, 4, 5, and 6-cylinder variations, as 8 cylinders in a row would be too long to fit in most engine bays. Each engine layout has its own strengths and automakers select them based on the performance, handling and space requirements of their vehicles. Whether you’re looking for practicality or performance there’s an engine layout to match every driving preference.