A V-type engine has got its name from the slant or V-shaped placement of the cylinders, instead of standing vertically in a row. The pistons is kept leaning away from each other in order to form a valley-like separation. This layout on engines with six, eight, or ten cylinders is easily visible.

The V engine is a newer generation compact engine design. This engine construction places the cylinders at an angle instead of in a straight line. The angle between the cylinders varies from 60 to 90 degrees. The angle between the cylinders forms a ‘V’ shape. And that is why this engine is called the ‘V’ type engine.

In an in-line engine, as the name indicates, all the cylinders are in a row. In a V-type engine the cylinders are arranged in two rows of cylinders set at an angle to each other that align to a common crankshaft. Each group of cylinders making up one side of the ‘V’ is referred to as a bank of cylinders.

The V type has two rows of cylinders, usually forming an angle of 60° or 90° between the two banks. V-8 engines (eight cylinders) are usually of the 90° type. Some small six-cylinder aviation engines have horizontally opposed cylinders (see above Opposed-piston engines).

The v-type engine is one of the best categories of engine types in the market. The V-engine split the cylinders into two banks and has internal engine combustion. The alignment of cylinders around the crankshaft banks forms a V-shape. The two banks are at an angle to each other.