V4 Engines: Why Don’t We See More V4s In Cars?

The story of the V4 engine is a hindsight view through innovation and experimentation. Its roots can be traced back to the development era of automobile racing. One of the earliest applications was in the 1898 Mors rear-engined car, crafted in France. This pioneering V4 engine was notable for its reduction in vibration, a key selling point at the time. However, automotive engineering was rapidly evolving, and by 1901, this V4 had been replaced by a more conventional inline-four engine.

In the 1907 French Grand Prix, a car entered by J. Walter Christie featured a mammoth 19,891 cc V4. Mounted transversely and powering the front wheels, this engine was the largest ever used in a Grand Prix race. Although the car retired early in the race, it later set a speed record of 101.9 mph, an example of the potential of V4 engines in high-performance applications.

The transition of V4 engines from racing to production cars was a significant milestone. The first notable foray into this arena was by Lancia with its V4 engine in the 1922 Lancia Lambda. This engine was a narrow-angle design with just 20 degrees between the cylinder banks and a single cylinder head. It was ahead of its time, using aluminum for the block and head. Lancia continued to produce V4 engines until 1976, replacing them with flat-four engines.

Through the mid-20th century, V4 engines found their place in various applications. Their compact size made them suitable for smaller vehicles and specific use cases where space was at a premium. The Ford Taunus and Saab Sonett are notable examples, leveraging the V4’s unique characteristics for both performance and practicality.

General Motors even looked at developing a compact V4 engine at a time when smog regulations and an oil crisis prompted downsizing among automakers.