Whatever happened to V4 engines?

[Steve McF]

Back in the 1960s and 70s the V4 engine was fairly common finding itself in things like Ford Corsairs and Transits as well as Saabs.

These days, V6 and V8 engines are commonplace, and you would think that a V4 would be easy to make if you are already producing 6 and 8 cylinder versions.

So where are they? Does anyone still offer one? I suspect the manufacturing cost of a V4 versus a straight 4 is probably behind why no one seems to bother with them,  but then again, there are flat 4s etc.

 

[chris aka zaphod]

I'd guess that as many family-sized vehicles are FWD, these days, that is would be difficult to allign a V4 in the bay?

[sgould]

They get plenty of V6 engines in transversely.  In fact I think some of the shallow V engines Lancia(?), VW etc were designed that way to shorten them so they would fit sideways.

[Fliptop]

V4s tended to be used longitudinally in the 60s and were all about packaging a 4-pot into a small-ish engine bay.  They were also strong compared with an inline engine.  Now that most 4-cyl cars are FWD and use a transverse layout, the benefit is minimal, and the inherent balance and vibration problems of a V4 make them less attractive.

[Milowokie]

They turned in flat-fours.

Loads about in Subarus, and in my much missed ALFA Sprint (and 33). ALFA last did a 4 pot boxer with the 1st generation of the 145/146....replaced with a in-line four twin spark engine.

[Geoff1951]

They get plenty of V6 engines in transversely.  In fact I think some of the shallow V engines Lancia(?), VW etc were designed that way to shorten them so they would fit sideways.

Also the last Mitsubishi Galant, possibly the best looking car I've owned. Definitely the best-sounding.