Summary Information Access & Transparency Acknowledges
This automotive journalism article about inline-six engine resurgence demonstrates modest positive signals in information access and freedom of expression (Article 19), with clear author attribution, editorial guidelines reference, and free content distribution. Structural privacy concerns emerge from extensive tracking infrastructure (Article 12), including IP logging and device fingerprinting without prominent disclosure. Overall, the content acknowledges human rights through transparent journalism practices and accessible information sharing, but carries privacy-related tensions from background tracking.
in the wild Inline 6 (I6) engines have proved reliable and just going on regular maintenance
B58 (BMW) is super reliable & high performance
same as the I6 used in certain landcruisers & other Toyota cars etc
though now of course - with super cheap solar etc - if you can go electric go electric but if you've to buy an ICE car - yeah buy an I6 - fuel efficient & performance & reliable
Seems weird. The I6 has a few packaging issues that made them unpopular in the 1980s when front drive vehicles became the standard.
Australia was awash in I6 motors, from the GM Holden motors, the Ford Falcon engine and the Chrysler slant 6 that got replaced by a locally developed version of a Chrysler 6 that was never finished by the US corp. they were all boring, mostly durable, mostly reliable engines for a family car.
Even BMC/Leyland had one. Uniquely they fitted it across the chassis of a land crab derived vehicle which showed why the I6 was ill suited to being packaged as anything other than in line with a rear drive drivetrain.
The V6 fits better in front drive cars for obvious reasons.
Hybrid cars change the equation somewhat, the skateboard chassis doesn’t seem all that suited to an I6 but here we are.
Chrysler have unfortunately found out that no matter how good you make one, customers still want a V8 and I concur.
The logical, socially-conscious side of my brain can't wait to see 6 cylinder engines go the way of the v8. Four cylinders and a hybrid system ought to be able to generate enough torque for just about anyone (except maybe heavy-duty hauling?). And the future is of course BEV.
But have to admit there is a part of me that would really love to drive something like the BMW M340i [1]. And the gas mileage (26/33 MPG) isn't even too bad.
Europe has stupid displacement taxes so they'll make some high strung 0.9L turbo 3/4cyl with all the technology that gets .01mpg better MPG than a ~2L engine while taking twice as much $$ in service to make it to any given milage.
IDK why they don't just tax the actual fuel used like the rest of the world (not that they don't do that).
For buyers today that may actually mean less depreciation as six cylinder engines become harder and harder to find. But yeah I'm sure automakers can see the writing on the wall.
I don't think hybrids use skateboard designs the way EVs do? The battery for a hybrid is so much smaller, they usually steal space under the rear seat and/or in the trunk afaik.
From Toyota there are many greats: 1FZ-FE, 1HZ, 1HD-FT, 12H-T, etc
The Cummins 5.9L is excellent, particularly the 12 valve with P7100 pump. Awesome low end torque.
From Mercedes the M104 and OM606 are phenomenal. Powerful, efficient, incredibly reliable. The only drawback is the aging engine management software is not very well supported by aftermarket code readers anymore. In the case of an OM606 you can fix this by deleting the ECU entirely and installing an M pump from an OM603, or replacing the ECU with a DSL-1 standalone unit.
Even in the US, I4 engines are by far the most popular. Most consumer cars are built for fuel economy with the one notable exception being the suburban tacticool pickup truck, which are often modded to burn MORE fuel.
It does not hurt that you can easily get 200+ horsepower from the factory with one, either. My car is a series hybrid with an Atkinson-cycle I4 but it still bursts to 200hp because it's a hybrid.
The inline four has largely converged around a 2.0L displacement with an equal bore and stroke. IIRC, it's fairly optimal from a performance and thermodynamic efficiency standpoint.
I had an '89 Cherokee to 235k and sold it for ~60% of my purchse price after 6 years after garages only quoted insanity for the smallest things (Dad is a mechanic, but the commute there for repairs isn't feasible on the regular and apartment living is not conducive to the required garage/tools).
Dad has seen AMC I-6s go 400k before the transmission died and ended its run.
Even 4 cylinders and a turbo (like my GLI) are plenty fun. I’m tire grip limited as it is, but it probably keeps me out of trouble, as tempting as something with more pep is.
Article 19 protects freedom of opinion and expression, including information dissemination. Content is factual journalism reporting on automotive technology; author is clearly identified with credentials and editorial guidelines referenced. Information is presented without apparent censorship or editorial suppression.
FW Ratio: 60%
Observable Facts
Article is attributed to named author John Tallodi with detailed biography, credentials (BCom degree, automotive journalism since 2014), and social media links.
Schema markup declares 'isAccessibleForFree: true' and identifies article as NewsMediaOrganization content with publishingPrinciples reference.
Publisher links to editorial guidelines at 'https://carbuzz.com/page/our-editorial-guidelines/'.
Inferences
Clear attribution and author credentials support transparency in expression and information sourcing.
Free access model and explicit accessibility declaration facilitate public access to information, consistent with Article 19's information dissemination principles.
Article 12 protects privacy, family, home, correspondence. Content makes no claims about privacy, but editorial stance is neutral on privacy considerations.
FW Ratio: 60%
Observable Facts
Page source contains global tracking variables including IP address logging: 'var VALNET_GLOBAL_IPADDRESS = "162.158.62.206"'.
Facebook App ID and Google Analytics variables are loaded globally, enabling cross-domain tracking.
No prominent privacy notice or cookie consent banner is visible in the provided page content.
No privacy policy accessible from provided page content; cannot evaluate on-domain.
Terms of Service
—
No terms of service accessible from provided page content; cannot evaluate on-domain.
Identity & Mission
Mission
0.00
Publisher mission (automotive journalism/news) is neutral regarding human rights; no directional signal detected.
Editorial Code
0.00
Editorial guidelines URL referenced but not accessible in provided content; cannot evaluate.
Ownership
0.00
Carbuzz is owned by Valnet Inc. (evident from global JS variables). Valnet is a commercial media company; no distinctive human rights signal from ownership structure itself.
Access & Distribution
Access Model
+0.10
Article 19 Article 25
Content is marked isAccessibleForFree and appears available without paywall. Free access supports information dissemination rights; mild positive modifier applied.
Ad/Tracking
-0.05
Article 12
Page contains extensive tracking variables (Facebook AppID, Google Analytics globals, IP address logging). User privacy signals present but not prominently disclosed. Mild negative modifier for tracking intensity.
Accessibility
+0.05
Article 25 Article 26
Page structure indicates responsive design and dark mode support. Schema markup declares content isAccessibleForFree. These signals suggest modest accessibility awareness, yielding mild positive modifier.
Content is marked isAccessibleForFree in schema markup, enabling wide distribution of information. Site provides author byline with full credentials and link to editorial guidelines, supporting transparency. Free access model facilitates information dissemination rights.
Global JS variables expose IP address (VALNET_GLOBAL_IPADDRESS), browser user agent, device detection, and extensive tracking infrastructure. Tracking is implemented without prominent privacy disclosure on-page.
Site includes user community features (Threads, discussions, Follow functionality) enabling users to associate and engage together, supporting associative gathering.
Responsive design and dark mode support, plus isAccessibleForFree marking, provide modest accessibility that supports access for users with diverse needs. Accessibility features enable broader participation in information access.
Article provides technical information about automotive engineering, which supports public education and knowledge-building, though not formal education.
build 1ad9551+j7zs · deployed 2026-03-02 09:09 UTC · evaluated 2026-03-02 11:31:12 UTC
Support HN HRCB
Each evaluation uses real API credits. HN HRCB runs on donations — no ads, no paywalls.
If you find it useful, please consider helping keep it running.