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Originally Posted by rwplett
It may have, but that's because of the greater displacement, not the fact that's an inline.
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There are a few fundemental advantages to an inline six compaired to a V6.
The biggest differance is the number of main journal bearings supporting the crank shaft. Inline six has seven bearings V6 has four bearings. The aditional journal bearings allow a straight six to support a great deal more power given equivalent crank shaft and engine block construction.
An other advantage of a straight six is all the intake runners being on one side of the engine and all the exaust runners being on the other side. This allows for easier routing of intake and exaust systems. Expecially for turbo charged applications. Cheaper exaust systems too (only one manifold/exaust head required).
Also straight six engines are naturally blanced. V6's require balance shafts.
The one advantage of a V6 is the compact shape. A V6 engine basically ocupies the shape of a cube (same height, width, and depth). This is why manufacturers love V6's so much. They can use a V6 in any powertrain layout: front/rear engine placment, front/rear/all wheel drive etc. I actually think this is an other advantage to the straight six. It forces the manufactures to desigin the vehicle correctly: front engine & rear wheel drive.
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