In recent years, Yamaha has been the only brand that in MotoGP did not use the V4 engine. After Suzuki left, the signature of the three fingerboard was as the only representative of a configuration that, despite having certain advantages, also has certain shortcomings that are difficult to solve.
The V4 engine has two cylinders forward and two others back, and the angle between them can varies, R. although they are usually around 90º. In fact, in MotoGP almost everyone has that angle. On the other hand, in a four online the cylinders are in parallel and transversely to the chassis.
As an advantage of the V4 there is a theoretical best acceleration at the exit of the curve, and the four online, in theory, allows a higher peak speed and a stability in the passage by curve. This is due to crankshafts, which in the V4 are shorter and more light, and in the four longest and heavier online. Therefore, when they face each other, each one has their strengths, although rolling together it can become more effective the v4 being able to accelerate better.
Thus was born the Yamaha V4 project
Returning to the origins of this project, you have to go back only a few months, until September 2024 when Lin Jarvis who was then the general director of Yamaha Motor Racing, confirmed that they were working on the V4 and developing it.
Since then we did not know more to some tests in Valencia, where Augusto Fernández is supposed to be discreetly. But now it has been Yamaha herself who has made public that they would try it in the tests that are carrying out in Barcelona and not only that, but have published a tweet in which you can listen to the engine working.
– Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (@yamahamotogp) June 11, 2025
This shows that the engine is a reality and that in Yamaha they are in the final phase, to see if what they have is sufficiently competitive as a basis to replace the four online as soon as possible or if, on the contrary, you still have to continue evolving.
In any of the cases, we must not forget that current engines, whether four online or V4, only have this season and next because in 2027 we will have new cylinder limits. Therefore, that Yamaha is fully involved in this process, demonstrates the brand’s interest and commitment for being competitive in MotoGP.
By the way, if you wonder if this time we have passed the audio through AI, yes, we have passed it and confirms that, in effect, the sound is compatible with a V4 engine.
