Yamaha is working on a new V4 engine for MotoGP, moving away from its traditional inline-four-cylinder philosophy. It’s currently the only manufacturer in the top class using this type of engine, but now it’s aligning with solutions used by rivals.
Max Bartolini, Yamaha’s technical director, explained to Crash.net that no significant differences in engine performance are expected, as the impact will be more on the overall bike design:
– With the V4, everybody thinks about the engine itself. But I think the biggest advantage is from the layout of the bike, more than from the engine. In terms of pure power, honestly, listening to our engine department, it shouldn’t be a big difference. But there are some ways to manage the layout of the bike that will be a little bit easier with the V4.
Regarding tyre compatibility, Bartolini noted that the V4 has advantages as well: ‘Also to go more in the direction of the tyres, because it’s always a matter of making the tyres work. Yamaha was pretty good with Bridgestone. And for sure they have had many good races also with Michelin. But Michelin is more [about] using the rear tyres than the front. This is kind of where the engine layout can help; to build the bike around the engine in that direction. So that is the challenge. Honestly, to make the engine is difficult, but I think it’s more [important] to make the bike around the [V4] engine’.