R mtcars dataset, meaning of “vs” variable?

Question

What does the \"vs\" variable mean in the \"mtcars\" dataset in R? The helpfile says it means \"V/S\" but that is not enlightening.

Commands:

data(mt         


        

Answer 1

Binary variable signaling the engine cylinder configuration as either:

V-shape (vs=0) or Straight Line (vs=1)

Configuration offers trade offs in power/torque, design usage in terms of space/size of engine and performance or center of gravity of vehicle. The geometry and placement of the engine, as influenced by its cylinder head, can have numerous knock-on influences on the vehicle beyond the technical engineering considerations of the cyliner angle.

Answer 2

I think it's whether the car has a V engine or a straight engine. I'm basing this on the foot note on the page numered 396 of http://www.mortality.org/INdb/2008/02/12/8/document.pdf