[Ben Hecks]

I think all automotive ratings and evaluations have to be taken with a grain of salt. Some years ago, many automotive writers were critical of Ford (and GM) for building V-6 engines using a 90 degree configuration instead of a 60 degree layout which is inherently better balanced. Ford and GM ramped up their V-6 engine production by designing them so they could be built on V-8 tooling lines.

All of the V-6 engines currently used by Ford in their passenger cars (3.0/3.5/4.0) are 60 degree designs. The Audi V-6, which draws rave reviews, happens to have a 90 degree layout.

[Spktyr]

Part of the problem is that they really were V8’s with two cylinders lopped off. Without the additional engineering needed to make a 90 degree V6 work properly, they didn’t do well.