View source for V6 PRV engine

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox engine
| name          = PRV engine
| image         = PRVenginevolvo.jpg
| manufacturer  = Française de Mécanique
| production    = 1974–1998
| configuration = 90° [[V6 engine|V6]]
| fueltype      = [[Gasoline]]
| fuelsystem    = [[Carburetor]]<br>[[Fuel injection]]
| block         = [[Aluminium]]
| head          = Aluminium
| turbocharger  = [[#Specifications|Various versions]]
| valvetrain    = [[SOHC]] 2 or 4 [[Poppet valve|valves]] per [[Cylinder (engine)|cyl]]<br>[[DOHC]] 4 valves per cyl (race engine)
| oilsystem     = [[Wet sump]]
| coolingsystem = [[Water cooling (engines)|Water-cooled]]
| bore          = {{cvt|88|mm|2}}<br>{{cvt|91|mm|2}}<br>{{cvt|93|mm|2}}
| stroke        = {{cvt|63|mm|2}}<br>{{cvt|72.7|mm|2}}<br>{{cvt|73|mm|2}}
| displacement  = {{ubl |{{cvt|2458|cc|L CID|1}}|{{cvt|2664|cc|L CID|1}}|{{cvt|2849|cc|L CID|1}}|{{cvt|2963|cc|L CID|1}}|{{cvt|2975|cc|L CID|1}} }}
| power         = {{cvt|97–300|kW|PS bhp|0}}
| torque        = {{cvt|208–520|Nm|0}}
| successor     = [[V6 ESL engine]]<br>[[Volvo Modular engine]]
}}

[[File:PRV V6 Simulation.ogg|thumb|Audio Simulation of a Peugeot-Renault-Volvo (PRV) V6 runningSimulated using "EngineSimulator" by AngeTheGreat]]

The '''V6 PRV engine''' is an [[overhead cam]] [[V6 engine|V6]] automobile engine designed and manufactured by the company "Française de Mécanique" for '''PRV''', an alliance of [[Peugeot]], [[Renault]] and [[Volvo Cars]]. Sold from 1974 to 1998, it was produced in four displacements between 2.5 L and 3.0, and in both [[SOHC]] and [[DOHC]] and 2-valve and 4-valve per cylinder configurations. Originally carbureted, it adopted fuel-injection for improved emissions compliance and improved performance, and was offered in turbo and biturbo versions in a limited number of vehicles made by Renault, [[Chrysler Motors]], and French supercar manufacturer [[Venturi Automobiles|Venturi]].

It was gradually replaced after 1994 by another engine jointly developed by Peugeot-successor [[PSA Group|PSA]] and [[Renault]], known as the [[PSA ES engine|''ES'' engine]] at [[PSA Group|PSA]] and the [[PSA ES engine|''L'' engine]] at [[Renault]].

==Corporate history==
In 1966, Peugeot and Renault entered a cooperative agreement to manufacture common components. The first joint subsidiary, ''La Française de Mécanique'' (also called ''Compagnie Française de Mécanique'' or simply ''FM'') was launched in 1969. The FM factory was built in [[Douvrin]] near [[Lens, France|Lens]] in northern France. The PRV engines are sometimes referred to as "Douvrin" engines, though that name is more commonly applied to [[Douvrin engine|a family of straight-fours]] produced at the same time.

In 1971, Volvo joined Peugeot and Renault in the creation of PRV, an equally-held [[public limited company]] (plc). PRV originally planned to build [[V8 engine]]s, although these were later scrapped in favor of a smaller and more fuel-efficient V6.

The PRV engine followed a standard V8 90-degree cylinder bank configuration rather than the customary 60, but had its crankpins 120 degrees apart. The [[Maserati]] V6 of the [[Citroën SM#Engines|Citroën SM]] followed a remarkably similar pattern of development.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

The [[1973 energy crisis]], and taxes levied against [[engine displacement]] greater than 2.8&nbsp;litres made large V8 engines less attractive, and expanded the market for smaller displacement engines.

Additionally, Renault needed a V6 engine to fit in its new model, the [[Renault 20/30|Renault 30]]. Renault's internal designation for the PRV was Z-Type.

Machinery for assembling the engines arrived at Douvrin in early June 1973, and buildings for producing the engines were finished in January 1974. The first PRV engines were officially introduced on 3 October 1974 in the [[Volvo 200 Series|Volvo 264]], designated the B27 by the automaker. Adoption was swift, and the PRV V6 had been sold in at least five different models by the end of 1975.

The B27 was used in the Volvo 264/265 until 1980. The B28 was also used in the Volvo 264/265 and in a rare version of the 240 GLT (244/245 GLT 6) between 1980 and 1983, and in the Volvo 760 between 1982 and 1986. The last version of the PRV engine in a Volvo was the B280, installed in the Volvo 760 from 1987 to 1990 and in the Volvo 780 (all model years). The Volvo 262 C was also fitted with the PRV, the first years with the B27 and the last years with the B28. The B280 was significantly changed; only the engine block remained the same as the B27/B28, the rest is different. The B280 was also installed in a small number of 960s in 1991.

In 1984, the first commercially available [[turbocharger|turbocharged]] PRV V6 was sold in the [[Renault 25|Renault 25 V6 Turbo]]. This was the first to be [[firing order|even-fire]] with split [[crankpin]]s, and was the first of the second generation, and indeed EFI engine of any sort. Turbocharged versions went on to be used in the [[Renault Alpine GTA/A610|Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo]] (essentially the same engine as the 25 Turbo at {{cvt|2458|cc|L|1|disp=flip}}, Renault Alpine A610, and Renault Safrane Bi-turbo – both with {{cvt|2963|cc|L|1|disp=flip}} low compression. Naturally aspirated 2963&nbsp;cc and 2975&nbsp;cc versions of both low- and high-compression 3-litre engines appeared in a number of Peugeot, Citroën and Renault cars until 1997.{{which|date=April 2024}}

While Renault were working forced induction into the PRV, Peugeot and Citroën developed their own [[multi-valve|24-valve]] engines as an option in the 605 and XM respectively. The compression remained the same as the Renault 12v, but the [[piston]]s differed, as did some of the [[valvetrain|timing gear]], and the [[cylinder head|heads]] were re-engineered to allow easier maintenance (the [[camshaft]] being fitted from the opposite end for example). This engine was however extremely expensive, and suffered [[Cam (mechanism)|cam]] wear problems. This was due to the exhaust [[poppet valve|valves]] sharing a single lobe, while each inlet valve had its own lobe. This was at least partially solved by the use of ceramic followers as one of a succession of recalls.

Meanwhile, French supercar manufacturer [[Venturi Automobiles|Venturi]] had been developing their own versions of the PRV. The most powerful versions they built were in the Atlantique 300 at {{convert|207|kW|PS bhp|0}} from a turbocharged, 12-valve 3.0&nbsp;L iteration, and they successfully raced at the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] with the 600LM with a [[twin turbo]]charged, 24-valve 3.0-litre, pushing out over {{convert|450|kW|hp-metric|-1}} in race spec, and the road-going spin-off, the 400GT managed {{convert|300|kW|PS bhp|0}}. This used the low compression bottom end common to the Renault turbo engines, coupled to 24-valve [[cylinder head]]s with bespoke rockers and tappets.

Peugeot too allowed a small group of engineers to create a team for [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance racing]], and after a few years the team grew to be called WM Peugeot. The ultimate version of the car used a low compression 3.0-litre bottom end coupled to bespoke twin-cam heads. It is the only [[DOHC]] PRV. This car still holds the top speed record at [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] set in 1988. By taping over the engine cooling intakes to improve aerodynamics, the team managed to push the car to {{convert|407|km/h|0}} on the {{convert|5|km|1}} straight before the engine was destroyed.

Volvo began to withdraw from the PRV consortium in the late 1980s and the year model 1991 was the last year for the PRV in a Volvo, shifting its powerplant reliance onto in-house [[Straight engine|inline engines]]: the successor to its PRV-powered 760, the 960, debuted with a new inline six [[Volvo_Modular_engine#B6304S|"white block" Modular engine]]. [[Peugeot]], [[Renault]] and [[Citroën]] continued using the PRV until 1997.

After producing 970,315 units, production of the PRV V6 was stopped on 15 June 1998.

==Engineering==

===Uneven firing order===
The original engineering work done on the [[V8 engine]] can still be seen in the resulting [[V6 engine]]: its [[cylinder bank]]s are arranged at 90°,<ref>{{cite web|title=Peugeot 604 SL|url=http://www.604tours.com/v6-engine.html|work=PRV V6 Engine|access-date=18 December 2011}}</ref> instead of the much more common 60°. V8 engines nearly universally feature 90° configurations, because this allows a natural [[firing order]]. V6 engines, on the other hand, produce even firing intervals between cylinders when their two banks of cylinders are arranged at 60°. 90-degree V6 engines, like the PRV, experience uneven firing, which can be addressed using split [[crankshaft]] journals. 90° V6 engines are shorter (less tall, not less long) and wider than 60° engines, allowing lower engine bay hood/bonnet profiles.

First-generation PRV engines (1974–1985) featured uneven firing order. Second-generation PRV engines (introduced in 1984 in the [[Renault 25|Renault 25 Turbo]]) featured split crankshaft journals to create evenly spaced ignition events.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Brief History of the Douvrin PRV V6 Engine|url=http://members.fortunecity.com/douvrinprv/id20.html|work=The Douvrin PRV V6 Resource Centre|access-date=30 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040912012101/http://members.fortunecity.com/douvrinprv/id20.html|archive-date=12 September 2004}}</ref> Other similar design examples are the ''odd-fire'' and ''even-fire'' [[GM 3800 engine#231|Buick V6]] and the [[Maserati]] V6 seen in the [[Citroën SM]].

===PRV varieties===
*Z6W-A 700: 2849&nbsp;cc carbureted version used in [[Renault Alpine GTA/A610|Renault Alpine V6 GT]]
*Z7U-702: Used in the [[Renault 25|Renault 25 V6 Turbo]]
*Z7U-730: turbocharged version used in the [[Renault Alpine GTA/A610|Renault Alpine V6 Turbo]]
*Z7X-711: Used in the [[Eagle Premier]]/[[Dodge Monaco]]
*Z7X-715: Used in the [[Eagle Premier]]/[[Dodge Monaco]]
*Z7X-726: Renault Safrane Bi-turbo 
*Z7X-744: Renault Alpine A610
*ZM112: Carbureted version used in the [[Peugeot 504]]
*ZMJ140: Fuel-injected version used in the [[Peugeot 504]]
*ZMJ-159: Fuel-injected version used in the [[DMC DeLorean]]
*ZN3J 154F: Fuel-injected (Bosch [[Jetronic#LH-Jetronic .281982.E2.80.931998.29|LH-Jetronic]]) version used in the [[Peugeot 505]]
*ZN3J 154X: Catalyzed fuel-injected (Bosch LH-Jetronic) version used in the Peugeot 505
*ZNJK: Fuel-injected version used in the [[Peugeot 604]]
*ZPJ S6A: Fuel-injected version used in the [[Peugeot 605]] and the [[Citroën XM]]
*ZPJ4 SKZ:<ref>Citroën Technical bulletin for XM. Bulletin binder number MAN 058930</ref> Fuel-injected multivalve version used in the [[Peugeot 605]] and the [[Citroën XM]]
*B27A: Carbureted version used in the [[Volvo 260]]
*B27E: Fuel-injected version used in the [[Volvo 260]]
*B27F: Low compression fuel-injected version used in the [[Volvo 260]]
*B28A: Carbureted version used in the [[Volvo 260]] and some rare early [[Volvo 760]]
*B28E: Fuel-injected version used in the [[Volvo 260]] and the [[Volvo 760]]
*B28F: Low compression fuel-injected version used in the [[Volvo 260]] and the [[Volvo 760]]
*B280E: Fuel-injected version used in the [[Volvo 760]], [[Volvo 780]] and the [[Volvo 960]] for the 1st year in certain markets
*B280F: Low compression fuel-injected version used in the [[Volvo 760]], [[Volvo 780]] and the [[Volvo 960]] for the first year in certain markets

===Specifications===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center; font-size: 100%;"
|-
! Displacement
|{{cvt|2458|cc|cuin|1}}
|{{cvt|2664|cc|cuin|1}}
|{{cvt|2849|cc|cuin|1}}
|{{cvt|2963|cc|cuin|1}}
|{{cvt|2975|cc|cuin|1}}
|-
!Bore × stroke
| 91&nbsp;mm × 63&nbsp;mm
| 88&nbsp;mm × 73&nbsp;mm
| 91&nbsp;mm × 73&nbsp;mm
| 93&nbsp;mm × 72.7&nbsp;mm
| 93&nbsp;mm × 73&nbsp;mm
|-
! Number of valves
|colspan="3"| 12
|colspan="2"| 12 or 24
|-
! Engine aspiration
| [[Turbocharger|Turbo]]
|colspan="2"| [[Naturally aspirated]]
|colspan="2"| Naturally aspirated or turbo
|-
! Compression ratio
|8.2–8.6:1
|8.8–9.5:1
|8.8–10.5:1
|9.5:1<br>7.6:1 (turbo)
|9.5:1<br>7.3–7.6:1 (turbo)
|-
!Power
|{{cvt|134–136|kW|PS bhp|0}} at 5500&nbsp;rpm
|{{cvt|92–110|kW|PS bhp|0}} at 5500–6000&nbsp;rpm
|{{cvt|95–143|kW|PS bhp|0}} at 5500–6000&nbsp;rpm
|{{cvt|123–147|kW|PS bhp|0}} at 5500–6000&nbsp;rpm<br><br>{{cvt|184|kW|PS bhp|0}} at 5000–5750&nbsp;rpm (turbo)
|{{cvt|123–147|kW|PS bhp|0}} at 5600–6000&nbsp;rpm<br><br>{{cvt|184-300|kW|PS bhp|0}} at 5750&nbsp;rpm (turbo)
|-
!Torque
|{{cvt|276–288|Nm|0}} at 2200–4000&nbsp;rpm
|{{cvt|207–218|Nm|0}} at 3000–3500&nbsp;rpm
|{{cvt|207–255|Nm|0}} at 2750–4000&nbsp;rpm
|{{cvt|235–260|Nm|0}} at 3600–4600&nbsp;rpm<br><br>{{cvt|350|Nm|0}} at 2900&nbsp;rpm (turbo)
|{{cvt|235–260|Nm|0}} at 3600–4600&nbsp;rpm<br><br>{{cvt|350–456|Nm|0}} at 2900&nbsp;rpm (turbo)
|-
!Firing order
|colspan="5"|1-6-3-5-2-4
|-
! Mass
|colspan="2"| –
|{{cvt|150|kg|0}}<ref>{{cite web|title=The Douvrin PRV V6 Resource Centre|url=http://members.fortunecity.com/douvrinprv/id2.html|access-date=30 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216024308/http://members.fortunecity.com/douvrinprv/id2.html|archive-date=16 February 2009}}</ref>
|colspan="2"| –
|}

==PRV powered automobiles==
[[Image:Engine full.JPG|right|thumb|250px|PRV engine in a [[DMC DeLorean|DeLorean]]]]
The dates following each entry denote the introduction of a PRV V6-equipped models.

*2458&nbsp;cc:
**[[Renault Alpine GTA/A610|Alpine GTA]] ''(September 1985–February 1991)''
**[[Renault 25]] ''(1985–1995)''
**Venturi 180/200/210 ''(1987–1992)''
*2664&nbsp;cc:
**[[Alpine A310]] ''(October 1976–1985)''
**[[Peugeot 504]] coupé/cabriolet ''(1974–1983)''
**[[Peugeot 604]] ''(March 1975–1984)''
**[[Renault 25]] ''(1984–1988)''
**[[Renault 20/30|Renault 30]] ''(March 1975–1984)''
**[[Talbot Tagora]] ''(1980–1983)''
**[[Volvo 200 series|Volvo 260/264/265]] ''(October 1974–1980)''
**[[Volvo 262C]] ''(1977–1980)''
**[[Volvo 300 series#Prototype|Volvo 363CS]] ''(1977, prototype)''
*2849&nbsp;cc:
**[[Renault Alpine GTA/A610|Alpine GTA]] ''(November 1984 – 1990)''
**[[DMC DeLorean]] ''(1981–1983)''
**[[Lancia Thema]] ''(1984–1992)''
**[[Panhard ERC]]
**[[Panhard VCR]]
**[[Peugeot 505]] ''(July 1986–1992)''
**[[Peugeot 604]] ''(1979–1985)''
**[[Peugeot P4]]
**Peugeot Proxima ''(1986, prototype)''
**Peugeot Oxia ''(1988, prototype)''
**[[Renault 25]] ''(1988–1992)''
**[[Renault Espace]] II ''(1991–1996)''
**[[UMM Alter II]] ''(90's)''
**Venturi 160 ''(1987–1992)''
**[[Venturi Atlantique|Venturi 260]] ''(1989–1996)''
**[[Volvo 200 series|Volvo 260/264/265]] ''(1980–1982)''
**[[Volvo 262C]] ''(1980–1981)''
**[[Volvo 700 Series|Volvo 760/780]] ''(February 1982–1991)''
**[[Volvo 960]] ''(rare 1991 models)''
*2963&nbsp;cc:
**[[Alpine A610]] ''(1993–1995)''
**[[Citroën XM]] ''(1993–1997)''
**[[Peugeot 605]] ''(1990–1995)''
**[[Renault Espace]] III ''(1996–1998)''
**[[Renault Laguna]] I ''(1994–1997)''
**[[Renault Safrane]] ''(1992–1997)''
*2975&nbsp;cc:
**[[Alpine A610]] ''(1991–1993)''
**[[Citroën XM]] ''(1989–1993)''
**[[Dodge Monaco]] ''(1990–1992)''
**[[Eagle Premier]] ''(1988–1992)''
**[[Peugeot 605]] ''(1990–1995)''
**RJ Racing Helem V6 ''(1995, modified [[Renault Sport Spider]])''
**[[UMM Alter II]] ''(90's)''
**[[Venturi Atlantique#Atlantique 300|Venturi 300]] ''(1996–1998)''
**[[Venturi 400]] ''(1994–1997)''

==PRV engines in racing==
*ALD C289 ([[1992 24 Hours of Le Mans]] [[Le Mans Prototype|endurance prototype]])
*[[Alpine A310]] [[Group 4 (racing)|Group 4]] & [[Group B|B/12]]
*[[Alpine A610]] GT2
*[[Chevron Cars Ltd|Chevron B36]] ([[1987 24 Hours of Le Mans]] endurance prototype)
*Fouquet buggies
*[[Peugeot 504]] V6 Coupé Rallye Group 4
*[[Peugeot P4]] V6 [[Paris Dakar]]
*RJ Racing Helem V6
*[[Buggy Schlesser|Schlesser Original]]
*[[UMM Alter II]]
*[[Venturi Atlantique|Venturi 260LM, 400GTR, 500LM and 600LM]]
*[[Welter Racing|WM]] P series (1976–1989 [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] endurance prototypes, including P80 that finished at 4th place at [[1980 24 Hours of Le Mans]] and the famous P88{{efn|name=fn1|WM 1988 entry was built for speed, not meant to endure 24 hours; it failed after just 59 laps<ref name=":3"/>}} that was known for setting the all-time [[Mulsanne Straight]] speed trap record of 407&nbsp;km/h (253&nbsp;mph) at [[1988 24 Hours of Le Mans#Statistics|1988 24 Hours of Le Mans]])<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-02 |title=What's the Speed Record on the Mulsanne Straight? |first=Stefan |last=Kristensen |url=https://motorsportexplained.com/le-mans-mulsanne-straight-speed-record/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Motorsport Explained}}</ref>
*[[Ultima Mk1]]/[[Ultima Mk2|2]]/[[Ultima Mk2|3]]

The PRV was also the basis for the 90° V6 engine used by Alfa Romeo in the 155 V6 Ti in the 1996 DTM/ITC season from Silverstone onwards.<ref name="youtube.com" >YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRcFpmQL3bc Limone Racconta: La verità sul motore Alfa 155 V6 Ti + 156 e Fulvia Concept — Davide Cironi (SUBS) — YouTube], accessdate: 26. July 2018</ref> The engines in that series required the use of bank separation angle and cylinder bore spacing from a production based engine, and as a 90° V6 has greater room between banks than a 60° V6 for a more optimal induction system, Alfa Romeo used the PRV as a basis as it had been used in the [[Lancia Thema]], a car which shared its platform with the Alfa Romeo 164, as well as the Fiat Croma and Saab 9000.<ref name=PC9194>{{cite book
  |last=Collins |first=Peter
  |title=Alfa Romeo 155/156/147 Competition Touring Cars
  |year=2012
  |publisher=Veloce Publishing |location=Dorset, England
  |isbn=978-1-845843-42-7
  |pages=91–94
}}</ref>

Other sources<ref>{{cite web|title=Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo 155|url=http://www.alfa155.net/t45-alfa-romeo-155-v6-ti|work=Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti (in Italian)|access-date=27 April 2013}}</ref> declare that the 90° V6 engine in 1996 [[Alfa Romeo 155]] V6 Ti is based on a 2.6&nbsp;L V8 from 1970 [[Alfa Romeo Montreal]] with two cylinders removed, as allowed by the rules, however the FIA homologation documentation shows the homologated production engine was a "2850cm³" capacity "V6" engine. The bore spacing of the Montreal engine was too close to be suitable for the 155 V6 Ti in any case. Limone invented the "Montreal V8" story to throw the press off the scent and to satisfy FIAT management who were unhappy that a non-FIAT group developed engine was being used.<ref name=PC9194/>

==See also==
* [[List of Chrysler engines|List of engines used in Chrysler products]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|PRV engine}}
*[http://www.renaultalpine.co.uk Renault Alpine Owners Club] provides specific information on Renault Alpine vehicles using the PRV V6.
*[http://www.alpinerenaulttuning.co.uk ART – Alpine Renault Tuning] provides tuning and performance parts for Renault Alpines using the PRV V6 turbo and non-turbo.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080215011943/http://www.vectorbd.com/peugeot/v6.html Peugeot PRV] Older but useful reference.

{{PSA Peugeot Citroën}}

[[Category:Française de Mécanique engines|PRV]]
[[Category:PSA engines|PRV]]
[[Category:Peugeot engines|PRV]]
[[Category:Renault engines|PRV]]
[[Category:Volvo engines|PRV]]
[[Category:V6 engines]]
[[Category:Gasoline engines by model]]