Weber looks to bring V4 engine to the masses

[hemidakota]

Weber looks to bring V4 engine to the masses

Posted Jul 23rd 2006 4:32PM by Eric Bryant



AUTOBLOG NEWS - - Weber Automotive, a leader in the manufacture of engine blocks and crankshafts (many of the magnesium VW Beetle engine blocks were cast by Weber), has designed a small V4 engine in an attempt to provide an alternative to inline fours in emerging markets such as China.

The V4 configuration has had its fair share of success in the realm of high-performance motorcycles, and Weber claims that its cube-like shape makes it well-suited to compact cars as well. Not only is the 70-degree bank angle said to offer a packaging advantage, but it's supposedly up to 75 lbs lighter than a typical 2.0L I4 of similar power.

Fans of the Yamaha VMax and Honda VFR may also be glad to hear that a 90-degree crank is used. This gives the engine a firing order that effectively is like two 90-degree V-twins which run 180 degrees out of phase, and thus leads to an exhaust noise that can best be described as that of a miniature V8.

The company has posted some specifications on its site, and if they are to be trusted, this engine might be rather interesting, indeed. If someone wants to toss this into a decent sport compact, we'd be more than happy to thrash it around for a while.

[Source: Automotive Design and Production]

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[SRTGallardo]

I don't know about that though. Strait 6's are much tougher than V6's from what I've seen.

[MikeCandler]

Quote: Originally Posted by SRTGallardo

I don't know about that though. Strait 6's are much tougher than V6's from what I've seen.

What about the Grand Nationals? Not saying an inline motor is not better overall but in MANY cases a V will do just fine

[SRTGallardo]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeCandler

Quote: Originally Posted by SRTGallardo

I don't know about that though. Strait 6's are much tougher than V6's from what I've seen.

What about the Grand Nationals? Not saying an inline motor is not better overall but in MANY cases a V will do just fine

True but it aint no Skyline or Supra.

[veritas]

Or the Jeep I6... As far as durability goes, I'd vote the AMC/Jeep I6 as the best ever.

[SRTGallardo]

Quote: Originally Posted by veritas

Or the Jeep I6... As far as durability goes, I'd vote the AMC/Jeep I6 as the best ever.

That engine has some power. Pops has a 93, not a single problem. I was wondering if anybody had yanked that engine and made a drag car out of it. I was thinkin about it. Make it a complete sleeper.

[boostdog]

Quote: Originally Posted by SRTGallardo

Quote: Originally Posted by veritas

Or the Jeep I6... As far as durability goes, I'd vote the AMC/Jeep I6 as the best ever.

That engine has some power. Pops has a 93, not a single problem. I was wondering if anybody had yanked that engine and made a drag car out of it. I was thinkin about it. Make it a complete sleeper.

there's a woman that had a straight 6 in an old dart at our local track... and was actually pretty fast. i surprised!

[fusion]

Quote: Originally Posted by SRTGallardo

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeCandler

Quote: Originally Posted by SRTGallardo

I don't know about that though. Strait 6's are much tougher than V6's from what I've seen.

What about the Grand Nationals? Not saying an inline motor is not better overall but in MANY cases a V will do just fine

True but it aint no Skyline or Supra.

What do you mean? They all queen some crazy 1000+hp dynos...

[SRTGallardo]

Dyno queens don't count

[westrock]

I just don't really see a point to using a V4, except when there is a specific need. It may not be as long a straight 4, but its a lot wider, a turbo manifold would be very clumsy. The intake manifold and throttlebody are going to be high so its going to need extra height clearance. 4 baby camshafts if you want DOHC, and more complex belt/chain.


Unless you want a rear wheel drive car with a very short hood or maybe in a motorcycle, I just don't see the superiority of the design. It was kind of like those Kicker square subwoofers (L7??), sure it has some benefits and its interesting, but there are practical reasons the design isn't used (and its not because they thought of it first).

If they really wanted to go for something a special, a 4 cylinder version of the Volkswagen VR6 motor would have been a better goal. That way you get all the niceties of a straight 4, but its a little more compact like a V. A VR4 would be pretty compact.

BTW, in the specs they list the top of the line Turbo 2.0L as 295HP....not bad