In recent years, we have attended numerous rumors and theories about the real possibility of Honda launching a High performance V4 sports mount under the acronym Fireblade … or any other.
We just have to look back to confirm this fact. Whether patents, corporate ads about new models, or cabals in the form of news from renowned international media, that matter has always been in the candlestick of the present time to this part.
A high performance V4 Sports Honda: Does the brand truly consider it?
In advance and a full -fledged response to this issue, since the writing of SMN we sincerely believe that it does not. The reasons are several, but very well argued, although Yuzuru IshikawaHRC executive chief engineer, has left this door open in a recent interview granted to the Italian media Gpone.
In any case, as he argues on the subject, the possibility of a high performance V4 Honda V4 would not go through the next renewal of the current regulation that prevails in MotoGP.
By 2027 the engines that drive the motorcycles registered in the championship will not be able to exceed 850 cc. The idea is to reduce their benefits, in the search for more security, more sustainability and more spectacularity if possible.
On this subject, Ishikawa explains: “Until 2019, we always prioritize road use for Fireblade. Since 2020, we have been thinking about the track and, in fact, the name changed RR to RR-R. The objective since its creation has been lightness and manageability, and that is why the 4-cylinder engine online is better than the V4. When the market needs change, if more power and performance are required, obviously we should consider the V4.”
Another possibility that Honda ended up producing a high -performance V4 sporting mount would go through a road model, but that it was only oriented to the track. However, the reputed Japanese technician clarifies that “Like the Fireblade, we believe that the concept of road motorcycle is essential for the Superbike category, but there could be the possibility in the future of a model only for circuit, a pure competition motorcycle.”
Concludes: “Honda’s challenge is to build exciting models, with the possibility of also being used in circuit, so perhaps in the future we focus more on sportsmanship. Honda will continue to develop high -performance engines both for road and circuit, but we will not focus on motorcycle type engines for production models. I don’t think that is the Honda address.”
On the other hand, we must not forget that Honda officially presented in the last EICMA 2024 its V3 engine equipped with an electrical compressor. Subsequently, the brand itself acknowledged that it had been rolling on the track with a prototype driven by this mechanic, and that it could also participate in the 8 hours of Suzuka with it as a proof.
In short, everything together shows that Honda has no intention, for the moment, to develop a high performance V4 sports.
While he is still thinking, we urge you to take a look at our special on this mechanical singlar throughout the history of the Japanese firm: Special 45 years of the V4 Motor of Honda: “The power of dreams”
