Why no V4 engine for cars?

[CLUBRED]

Modern era V4 car engines seem non-existant, is there a major reason, to complex? I would have thought a V4 would be more compact than say a boxer or straight 4.

[whitels1ss]

I reckon they would be too hard and expensive to build and balance and expensive to maintain.
Anyway a straight little 4 cylinder does not take up very much space.

[SSer]

I reckon they would be too hard and expensive to build and balance and expensive to maintain.
Anyway a straight little 4 cylinder does not take up very much space.

Yep, especially when mounted East/West.

[Quark]

The old Ford Transits had V4 engines. :cussing: Since then every engineer/bean counter who proposed a V4 has been stoned to death. :)

[whitels1ss]

The old Ford Transits had V4 engines. :cussing: Since then every engineer/bean counter who proposed a V4 has been stoned to death. :)
Yeah at the same time they ran the same V4 engine in the Ford Zephyr in the UK..... They only used it for a short time,
it was an epic fail and that is why we don't see them anymore. :teach:

[CLUBRED]

Yet they're popular on motorcycles? And I can only assume because they're compact. Does anyone know what the largest bike V4 is?

[Woodchukka]

I dunno the wisconsin v4 in my grandfathers hay bailer worked a treat. :lmao:

[Stewge]

I suspect the benefit of compactness with the V configuration in cars is no longer applicable when it comes to 4 cylinders. Considering cars more or less have a fixed minimum width (seat 2 people next to each other comfortably), a straight 4 in N/S or E/W configuration will fit regardless. On top of that, the straight engines have less balance issues to deal with and are significantly easier to build which reduces manufacturing costs.

[5.7heaven]

+1 for space. Have you seen the space under the bonnet of something that houses a rotary? You could fit 4 in there! I'm sure if they built a car small enough that a V4 would be a tight fit for, it wouldnt be worth driving

[VH-COM]

I dunno the wisconsin v4 in my grandfathers hay bailer worked a treat. :lmao:

Also Wisconsin 25hp V4 in the Bobcat 610 (1980 ?) ... very compact powerplant.
Never heard anyone call the Wisconsin in a Bobcat a failure ... but it's not a car .

[Smitty]

Yet they're popular on motorcycles? And I can only assume because they're compact. Does anyone know what the largest bike V4 is?

only Honda fit them AFAIK..the latest about 1200cc (lots of bike makers use Vee Twins though)
and
even Honda nearly killed off their bike division with the first Vee4 they fitted to a bike
they reputedly had a 100% recall rate on the new V4 engine... for failures in the timing, camshaft and valve mechanisms

[zorro]

I dunno the wisconsin v4 in my grandfathers hay bailer worked a treat. :lmao:

The next stationary machine I am keen on is a Wisconsin or Petter, they sound alright on song and not many around that I know of.

Older outboards run v4s, go alright. Reckon the only advantage would be better torque.

[Troutman]

Another guess:

Due to lack of torque with the V4 configuration, an in-line four would have superior drivability, performance and real-world fuel economy. If a V4 weighed less it might work in a roadster though.

[XUV]

i wouldn've thought a v4 would save much room , placed either way , as it's basically square .......

[Martin_D]

V4 Ford Transit van was a pretty cool thing back in the day...

[mjrandom]

Boxers are V configuration just 180 degrees between banks.

[AVENGE]

Boxers are V configuration just 180 degrees between banks.

Thats not a V Configuration. Its called a Flat Engine, or as most say Horizontally Opposed/Boxer Motor.

[Jag530G]

Yeah at the same time they ran the same V4 engine in the Ford Zephyr in the UK..... They only used it for a short time,
it was an epic fail and that is why we don't see them anymore. :teach:

The Ford V4 was expanded into a V6. It was made in Cologne Germany, hence it is known as the Cologne V6. Ford sold the V4 design to Saab who used it for many years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taunus_V4_engine

Cheers, Matthew

[zorro]

Thats not a V Configuration. Its called a Flat Engine, or as most say Horizontally Opposed/Boxer Motor.

Same principle, well sort of. I believe, Martin may be able to verify, the oil system works a bit differently as the crank doesn't sit lower than the bores.

I'm only going off info a bloke gave us when we looked at buying an old council bus to convert into a transporter, the motor sat on its side

[Rick76]

Yet they're popular on motorcycles? And I can only assume because they're compact. Does anyone know what the largest bike V4 is?

Not sure if it's the biggest but... Yamaha VMAX is 1679cc. 147.2kW[197hp]@9000rpm & 166.8Nm[123ft-lbs]@6500rpm.

1426

[macca_779]

Boxers are V configuration just 180 degrees between banks.

Big difference with the way the load acts on the crank


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[calais190]

I have no credible source to quote, however don't inline motors produce more torque than V configured engines? Those little cars with the <2L need all the torque they can get.

[CLUBRED]

Not sure if it's the biggest but... Yamaha VMAX is 1679cc. 147.2kW[197hp]@9000rpm & 166.8Nm[123ft-lbs]@6500rpm.

See, I was like that'd be alright, until I paid more attention to the rpm figures..

[LuisS]

V4 Ford Transit van was a pretty cool thing back in the day...


........oh Martin :rolleyes:

Lancia also had a V4

[Martin_D]

........oh Martin :rolleyes:
Lancia also had a V4

Nothin wrong with a Transit Luis - if its rockin dont come knockin.... :eek:

[VL Executive]

The next stationary machine I am keen on is a Wisconsin or Petter, they sound alright on song and not many around that I know of.

Older outboards run v4s, go alright. Reckon the only advantage would be better torque.

I have a Wisconsin twin cylinder on a ride on mower. 18 Hp TJD series odd fire. Have seen a V4 Wisconsin as well. These engines like to suck the fuel though.

[Juscommune]

It's a combination of cost, complexity and practicality. Where we might start seeing V4s is in Hybrids where two engines can fit into the one space.

[aussiemuscle308]

I'm sure if they built a car small enough that a V4 would be a tight fit for, it wouldnt be worth driving
it'd be good for micro cars like the SMART 24, etc. hybrids too like mentioned above by Justcommune.