The core of an internal combustion engine is the cylinder block, which has a number of big holes (the cylinders) for the pistons.

Most cars have four or six cylinders and, of course, there are the V8s for higher performance cars.

Smart and Daihatsu have some three-cylinder cars and Volvo has a five-cylinder petrol engine.

At the top end, some exotic and luxury cars have V10 and V12 engines.