Why is the V4 engine most often installed on motorcycles? New Ducati V4 Multistrada engine

Car manufacturers often use V6, V8 and V12 units. Why is the V4 engine virtually non-existent in production cars? We will answer this question later in the article. You will also learn how such a drive works, what it is characterized by and what cars it was used in the past. You will also learn about the latest developments in four-cylinder engines, such as those used in the Ducati V4 Granturismo.

V4 engine - design and advantages of a four-cylinder unit

The V4 engine, like its older brothers the V6 or V12, is a V-engine where the cylinders are arranged next to each other in a V shape. This makes the entire engine shorter, but with larger units definitely Wider. At first glance, four-cylinder engines are ideal for compact cars due to their small size. So why are there no new projects now? The main reason is costs.

This type of engine requires the use of a double head, double exhaust manifold or wider valve timing. This increases the cost of the entire structure. Of course, this problem also applies to larger V6 or V8 engines, but they are found in expensive, luxury, sports cars, and also motorcycles. Four-cylinder engines would go to compact and city cars, i.e. the cheapest. And in these cars, manufacturers are cutting costs wherever possible, and every saving counts.

New motorcycle Ducati Panigale V4 Granturismo

Although V4 engines are not currently widely used in passenger cars, motorcycle manufacturers are successfully using these units. An example is the new V4 Granturismo engine with a volume of 1158 cm3, 170 hp, developing a maximum torque of 125 Nm at 8750 rpm. Honda, Ducati and other motorcycle companies continue to invest in V-engined vehicles for a simple reason. Only such a motor fits in the available space, but V4 units have also been used in cars in the past.

A Brief History of V-Engine Cars

For the first time in history, a V4 engine was installed under the hood of a French car called Mors, which competed in Grand Prix competitions corresponding to today's Formula 1. a few years later. The four-cylinder powerplant was used in a huge-capacity bike that retired after just a few laps, setting the speed record at the time.

For many years, the Ford Taunus was equipped with a V4 engine.

At 4, Ford began an experiment with a V1.2 engine. The engine fitted to the flagship Taunus model ranged from 1.7L to 44L and claimed power was between 75HP and XNUMXHP. The most expensive versions of the car also used a V-XNUMX with more engine power. The legendary Ford Capri as well as the Granada and Transit were also fitted with this drive.

Maximum torque 9000 rpm. – new Porsche engine

The 919 Hybrid could be a breakthrough in today's automotive industry. Porsche decided to install a 4-liter V2.0 engine with electric drive in its prototype race car. The volume of this modern engine is 500 liters and produces XNUMX hp, but this is far from all that is at the disposal of the driver. Thanks to the use of hybrid technology, the car produces a total of astronomical 900 horsepower. The risk paid off in 2015 when the first three Le Mans places were held by the German team.

Will V4 engines ever return to normal use in passenger cars?

This question is difficult to answer unambiguously. On the one hand, the cars participating in the leading racing competitions set trends in the automotive market. However, at the moment, no manufacturer has announced work on a production four-cylinder engine. However, one can observe the emergence of more and more new engines with a small volume of 1 liter, often turbocharged, giving satisfactory power. Unfortunately, these engines are very prone to failure, and reaching hundreds of thousands of kilometers without overhaul is unattainable.

Dreaming of a V4 engine? Choose a Honda or Ducati V4 motorcycle

If you want a car with a V-four engine, the cheapest solution is to buy a motorcycle. These engines are still used in most Honda and Ducati models today. The second option is to buy an older Ford, Saab or Lancia car model. Of course, this will come at a cost, but the sound of the V-drive will definitely compensate you.