Volkswagen AAA Specs: 81 x 90.3 mm (3.1890 x 3.5551 in), 172-178 hp

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Volkswagen AAA specs: 2.8L (170.4 ci) 6-cylinder, 81 x 90.3 mm (3.1890 x 3.5551 in) bore and stroke. Rated 172-178 hp, 1992–1999.

The Volkswagen VR6 (AAA) is undersquare — the 3.5551" stroke exceeds the 3.189" bore by 10.3% — a layout that trades peak RPM for leverage and torque low in the range. The 3.5551" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,750 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 28.4 ci (465 cc).

It is one of 11 engines in the VR6 family, the smallest at 170.4 ci. 14 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 172 to 178 hp across 1992–1999.

Dimensions

Displacement	170.4 ci / 2.8 L
Bore	3.189"
Stroke	3.5551"
Cylinders	6
Compression ratio	10–10.5:1 (published figures vary)
Bore/stroke ratio	0.897

Construction

Block material	cast iron
Head material	aluminum
Valvetrain	SOHC
Fuel type	gas
Advertised HP	172–178 hp
Years	1992–1999

Factory ratings by year

Year	Version	HP @ rpm	Torque @ rpm	Comp.
1992	AAA net	178 @ 5800	177 lb-ft @ 4200	—
1993	AAA net	178 @ 5800	177 lb-ft @ 4200	—
1994	AAA net	172	177 lb-ft	—
1994	AAA net	178 @ 5800	177 lb-ft @ 4200	—
1995	AAA net	172	177 lb-ft	—
1996	AAA net	172	177 lb-ft	—
1997	AAA net	172	177 lb-ft	—
1998	AAA net	172	177 lb-ft	—
1999	AAA net	172	177 lb-ft	—

Factory specification sheet.

What these numbers mean

Bore/stroke character	0.897 — undersquare — stroke exceeds bore, which favours low-end torque
Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM	3,555 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines
Displacement per cylinder	28.4 ci

Run the numbers for this engine

Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.

• Displacement from bore and stroke (calculator)
• Static and dynamic compression ratio calculator
• Piston ring gap for this bore
• Piston speed at any RPM
• Horsepower to torque at any RPM
• What size carburetor (CFM calculator)

Variants sharing these dimensions (14)

These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.

Year	Advertised HP	Code
1992	178 hp	AAA
1993	—	AAA
1993	178 hp	AAA
1994	—	AAA
1994	172 hp	AAA
1994	178 hp	AAA
1995	—	AAA
1995	172 hp	AAA
1996	—	AAA
1996	172 hp	AAA
1997	—	AAA
1997	172 hp	AAA
1998	172 hp	AAA
1999	172 hp	AAA

What cars have the AAA?

4 factory vehicles, 1992–1999. Each year opens that model's engine table.

• Volkswagen Corrado: 1992, AAA, 178 hp; 1993, AAA, 178 hp; 1994, AAA, 178 hp
• Volkswagen Passat: 1993, AAA; 1994, AAA; 1995, AAA; 1996, AAA; 1997, AAA
• Volkswagen Jetta: 1994, AAA, 172 hp; 1995, AAA, 172 hp; 1996, AAA, 172 hp; 1997, AAA, 172 hp; 1998, AAA, 172 hp; 1999, AAA, 172 hp
• Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI: 1995, AAA, 172 hp; 1996, AAA, 172 hp; 1997, AAA, 172 hp; 1998, AAA, 172 hp; 1999, AAA, 172 hp

Similar engines

• Volkswagen AES — 170.4 ci
• Volkswagen AUE — 170.4 ci
• Volkswagen AFP — 170.4 ci
• Volkswagen BDF — 170.4 ci
• Volkswagen AHA / ATQ — 169 ci
• Volkswagen AAA — 173.6 ci
• Chevrolet LWQ — 170 ci
• Chevrolet LWN — 170 ci

← All VR6 engines