The Vw VR6 engine was introduced in europe by Volkswagen passenger cars in 1991, in the Passat and Corrado, and in North America the following year. The Passat, Passat Variant wagon, and US-specification Corrado used the original 2.8 litre. the European-specification Corrado and the 4WD Passat Syncro received a 2.9 litre. This version also had a free flowing 6 cm (2.5 in) catalytic converter, sharper camshafts, 4 bar fuel pressure regulator, enlarged inlet manifold, and larger throttlebody. In 1992, with the introduction of the Volkswagen golf MK3, a six-cylinder engine was available for the first time in a lower-midsize segment hatchback in Europe. North America only received this engine in 1994; at the same time the European model started to use the 2.9 litre in the VR6 Syncro model. The corresponding Vento/Jetta VR6  engine versions appeared in the same years.

Volkswagen Group removed a cylinder from the VR6 engine in 1997 to create the VR5 engine (aka 'V5'), the first block to use an uneven number of cylinders in a V-design (other than the Honda V3 triples of MotoGP fame). It was introduced in the Passat in 1997, and the Golf and Bora in 1999. VWAG added further modifications to the design in 1999 with the introduction of the 24-valve 2.8 litre VR6 engine. The new version was not available in the Passat, but was introduced as the range topper in the Golf and Bora for European markets. The VR6 name was dropped as a commercial designation, and the 4WD system (4 motion) became standard on the VR6 in Europe. The corresponding multi-valve V5 engine was only released in 2001.The multi-valve VR6 engine was introduced in North America in 2001 aboard the Eurovan.  In 1999, VWAG also released an updated 12-valve VR6 model for the North American market A4-chassis Golf MK4/Gti/Jetta product line. This new VR6 engine improved performance via updated camshafts, variable geometry intake manifold, an increased compression ratio of 10.5:1, and updated emissions equipment. This engine option was available from 1999.5-2002, when it was replaced by the 24-valve engine.

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