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V4 engine is one of the most famous types of engine. This article explains the V4 engine design, applications, and advantages.
What is a V4 Engine?
A V4 engine is a four-cylinder reciprocating engine in which all the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration and use a common crankshaft.
A V4 engine has two sets of pistons installed in the front and behind another or on the opposite side of the motorcycle.
The most common and latest design is the vertically mounted V4. Depending on the Ducati Panigale V4 and Street Fighter models, two groups of cylinders can place in front of the other group. Another design is to install the engine horizontally. There are cylinder banks on either side of the motorcycle, one on the right and the other on the left.
Compared to in-line 4-cylinder engines, V4 engines are less popular. However, V4 engines are still used in bikes, automobiles, and other applications in recent times.
V4 engines are so rare in practice because they are heavy, bulky, and costly for general use or mass production. Only motorbikes and some other automobiles have used them, while many other vehicles don’t use them. If you compare the few vehicles manufactured with the V4 engine with the sum of all vehicles, the proportion of these few vehicles is almost negligible.
V4 Engine Design
Maximum V4 engines have two crankpins shared with opposite cylinders. Three main bearings are supported to the crankshaft.
These engines may use different V angles if the two pistons share a crankpin at a 90° V angle. Due to reason, the engine has added benefit of a perfect primary balance that decreases vibrations. This design can also generate smaller locking torques than an in-line 4-cylinder engine, and the short crankshaft is stiffer, making it less prone to torsional vibrations.
The drawback of a V4 engine is that, compared to an I4 engine, the V4 engine is wider and requires two-cylinder heads, two exhaust manifolds, and two valve trains instead of only one valvetrain, one manifold, one cylinder head,1 or 2 camshafts for 4 cylinders in-line engine. Due to these additional parts, V4 engines have complex designs and high costs.
These engines have a wider size than I4 engines due to the difficulty of combining an exhaust system, intake system, and auxiliary transmission while maintaining a compact size. A 60° V4 engine has a more complex design compared to a 90° V4 engine, but the 60° design doesn’t have a precise primary balance (if the crankpins aren’t separated).
Read also: Different Types of Engines
What are the advantages of the V4 Engine?
- This type of engine is smoother compared to an I4 engine.
- The V-angle eliminates secondary vibrations, and the linear power curve is essential for an engine. This engine doesn’t need to turn for the torque curve like an in-line 4-cylinder, so the power is always available.
- The V4 can generate more power than an in-line 4-cylinder engine. This is because the crankshaft of V4 engines is stronger, shorter than usual, and less prone to torque-induced twisting. In other words, you can increase the speed power by increasing the revolutions of the crankshaft.
- Compared to an I4 engine, the crankcase of this engine is the best fit to regulate the airflow in it. This minimizes pumping losses and transfers the maximum amount of combustion energy to the wheels.
- This engine has an outstanding configuration, which offers very high tensile strength and rigidity compared to the I4 engine.
Why are V4 engines so uncommon?
The V4 engine is very rare due to the following reasons:
1) Cost
The V4 engine rarely uses in the production of cars, and the method can only be found under the hood of an obscure and finely-niched car. Due to this, the designing and manufacturing costs of a V4 engine become higher than an I4 engine.
2) Complexity
The two-cylinder heads and two exhaust manifolds of this engine require two separate valve trains, which complicates the manufacturing process.
3) Weight Distribution
Weight distribution is also a problem. The center of gravity of the V4 engines is higher than the center of gravity of the flat 4-cylinder engines.
However, V4 has its benefits; naturally, it is shorter than an inline 4-cylinder, ideal for packaging. Compared to a flat-four-cylinder engine, the more upright cylinder head makes the V4 engines easy to operate and maintain.
Applications of V4 Engines
- Automobiles: V4 engines are most frequently used in entry-level luxury vehicles, compact sports cars, and small to mid-sized passenger cars because of their fuel efficiency.
- Racing: They are employed in different racing series, such as motorcycle road racing, touring car racing, and Formula racing.
- Motorcycles: V4 engines are used in different touring and sport motorcycles because of their compact design and smooth power delivery.
- Light aircraft: V4 engines are also used in some light aircraft, mainly experimental and home-built aircraft.
- Marine applications: They are employed in smaller boats like smaller speedboats and personal watercraft.
- Industrial equipment: In different industrial applications, these engines are to power agricultural machinery, pumps, and generators.
What is the difference between a V4 Engine and an I4 Engine?
The difference between a V4 and I4 engine is given below:V4 Engine I4 Engine The cylinders of these engines are positioned in the “V” config. The cylinders of these engines are positioned in a straight line. They have weight distribution problems. They don’t have much weight distribution problems. These engines have high costs. These have low costs than V4 engines. They have excessive noise. They also have noise, but it is controllable through a rotating balance shaft. These engines have a complex design. They have easy construction. V4 engines are heavier than I4 engines. These are light. V4 engine has three main bearings. It has five main bearings.
FAQ Section
Does a V4 engine have more or less power when compared to an in-line 4?
Both of these engines have power by considering the identical capacity of both engines. However, V4 is more complex and expansive than I4.
Why is there no V4 engine?
The V4 engines are not in the market because they have complex designs, high costs, and weight distribution issues.
Why are 4 cylinders not called V4?
The 4-cylinder engines don’t know as V4 engines because they don’t have a shape like a letter V such as a V4.
Which vehicles have a V4 engine?
- ZAZ-965
- Lancia Fulvia
- M422 “Mighty Mite”
- Ford Transit Mark 1
- Saab Sonett V4
Which engine is better V4 or V6?
V4 engines are usually more fuel-efficient, lightweight, and compact, making them ideal for small to mid-sized cars and motorcycles. In contrast, the V6 engine offers smoother operation and more power, making them best suitable for larger vehicles and applications that need higher performance.
Is V4 faster than inline 4?
Yes, V4 engines are faster than I4 engines due to their increased horsepower output. One primary reason for this is the crankshaft design. The crankshaft of the V4 engine is shorter and more rigid than that of an I4 engine, resulting in enhanced strength. Additionally, the V4 engine generates less friction, as it operates on three main bearings, compared to the I4 engine’s minimum requirement of five bearings.
Read More
- Different types of Engines
- Different types of Internal Combustion (IC) Engine
- Barra Engine
- I4 Engine Working and Construction
