Originally, the Cologne V6 was installed in cars intended for Germany and continental Europe, while the British "Essex" V6 was used in cars for the British market. Later, the Cologne V6 largely replaced the Essex V6 even for British-market vehicles. These engines were also used in Fords in the United States.
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Originally, the Cologne V6 was installed in cars intended for Germany and continental Europe, while the British "Essex" V6 was used in cars for the British market. Later, the Cologne V6 largely replaced the Essex V6 even for British-market vehicles. These engines were also used in Fords in the United States.
The Cologne engine is lighter and more powerful than the equivalent Essex V6, even though its maximum engine displacement is smaller. Low-down torque is lower, however.
The Cologne V6 was made to be very compatible in installation with the Taunus V4, having the same transmission bolt pattern, the same engine mounts, and in many versions, a cylinder head featuring "siamesed" exhaust passages, which reduced the three exhaust outlets down to two on each side. The latter feature was great for compatibility, but poor for performance. The 2.9 and 4.0 had three exhaust ports as in the photos, making them preferable.
The engine was available in both carburetted and fuel injected form.
The first Cologne V6 displaced 2.8 L. It used an odd "siamesed" two-port exhaust manifold, similar to the one used on the V4. The engines also shared a geared camshaft design.
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The 2.9 L variant has many differences, in addition to its longer stroke. It used a more conventional three-port exhaust manifold and its chain-driven camshaft rotates in the opposite direction.
The 4.0 version, although produced in Cologne like the others, was only fitted to American vehicles. The pushrod OHV engine was produced until 2000, when it was replaced by a somewhat related SOHC V6.
