Yamaha is developing a new V4 engine for MotoGP, a significant change of direction for the Japanese manufacturer. According to an inside source confirmed by Autosport, the project is at an advanced stage. This new engine would have a displacement of 1cc, suitable for current regulations until the switch to 000cc planned for 850. This new approach would allow Yamaha to remain competitive by taking advantage of the technical concessions granted to it, similar to those of Honda.
The arrival of Luca Marmorini, a former F1 engineer at Ferrari and Toyota, in 2022, probably played a key role in this strategic decision. Marmorini would have pushed Yamaha to abandon the traditional inline four-cylinder engine in favor of the V4. In addition, the hiring of Max Bartolini, former technical director at Ducati, at the beginning of 2024, reinforces the idea that Yamaha is firmly committed to a technical overhaul in MotoGP.
Julius Bernardelle, a renowned engineer in the world of motor sports, explained on moto.it the advantages of the V4 engine for Yamaha and why this choice is a good one for the modern MotoGP setup.
The V4 is now preferred due to the evolution of the MotoGP chassis which have become longer, making the need for longitudinal compactness less criticalThe increased wheelbase allows the use of a V4 engine without any major drawbacks.
The design of current MotoGP engines gives a decisive advantage to the V4, annihilating the advantages of the Yamaha inline four cylinder.
The V4, with a 90 degree angle between the banks and a crankpin timing of approximately 70 degrees, allows for ideal torque distribution. This configuration, combined with a separate 2-in-1 exhaust, is currently the best solution for optimum torque delivery in MotoGP. For an in-line engine, such a configuration would cause significant imbalances.
The V4 benefits from a design with fewer main bearings than the inline engine, which reduces internal losses and improves the mechanical efficiency of the engine.
A V4 is narrower than an inline-four, allowing for better integration with modern aerodynamic solutions. This is becoming more and more essential in today's MotoGP setups.
Bernardelle concludes that the performance of an engine in motor sports is never absolute, but that it is necessary to choose the solution that best adapts to the technologies and regulations of the moment. Yamaha , moving to V4 seems like the natural and necessary evolution to compete with teams like Ducati, leader in this field.
