Italian automobile company Lancia was the first to manufacture cars with V4 and V6 engines in series-production. This started with a number of V4-engine families, that were produced from the 1920s through 1970s.
The Lancia V4 pioneered the narrow-angle V engine design, more recently seen in Volkswagen's VR5 and VR6 engines. By using very shallow V-angles — between 10° and 20° — both rows of cylinders could be housed in an engine block with a single cylinder head, like a straight engine. A determining characteristic was the use of overhead camshafts (either single or double), in which a camshaft would serve the same function for all cylinders — in both cylinder banks.
Lambda
The first V4 was used in the Lambda from 1922 through 1931. It was a 20° narrow-angle aluminium design. All three engine displacements shared the same long 120mm (4.72in) stroke, and all were SOHC designs with a single camshaft serving both banks of cylinders.
Engines:
2.1L (2,119cc)75mm (2.95in), 49PS (36kW; 48hp) at 3250rpm
2.4L (2,370cc)79.37mm (3.12in), 59PS (43kW; 58hp) at 3250rpm
2.6L (2,568cc)82.55mm (3.25in), 69PS (51kW; 68hp) at 3500rpm
Artena
The Lambda engine was updated for the Artena. Bore was set at 82.55mm (3.25in) as in the 2.6L Lambda, but stroke was reduced to a more conventional 90mm (3.54in). Total displacement was 1.9L (1,927cc), with 55PS (40kW; 54hp) produced at 4000rpm.
Augusta
An all-new V4 was designed for the Augusta. Produced from 1934 through 1938, the Augusta's engine displaced 1.2L (1,196cc) with a 69.85mm ×78mm (2.75in ×3.07in) bore and stroke. Power output was 35PS (26kW; 35hp) at 4000rpm.
Aprilia
The engine was redesigned again for 1936's Aprilia. The first-series cars used a 1.4L (1,352cc) version with a 72mm ×82mm (2.83in ×3.23in) bore and stroke. Output was 47PS (35kW; 46hp) at 4300rpm.
A second series was unveiled for 1939 with an enlarged 1.5L (1,486cc) engine. It did not share its predecessor's dimensions, with bore and stroke now at 74.61mm ×85mm (2.94in ×3.35in). Power output was nearly the same at 48PS (35kW; 47hp).
Ardea
A small V4 (tipo 100) powered the compact 1939 Ardea. It was a 20° narrow-angle engine displacing just 0.9L (903cc). Bore and stroke were new again at 65mm ×68mm (2.56in ×2.68in), and output was just 28.8PS (21.2kW; 28.4hp) at 4600rpm. For the 1949 tipo 100B power was increased to 30PS (22kW; 30hp).
Appia
The V4 returned after the war with the 1953 Appia. It featured an even narrower 10° cylinder bank and just 1.1L (1,090cc) of displacement, fitting below Italy's 1.1-liter tax threshold. An initial 38PS (28kW; 37hp) of power grew to 43PS (32kW; 42hp) in 1956. 48PS (35kW; 47hp) was available in 1959.
Fulvia
Lancia's final V4 series were used in the Fulvia, remaining in production up until 1976. Designed by Ettore Zaccone Mina, it used a narrow angle (13°) and was mounted well forward at a 45° angle. The engine was a true DOHC design with one camshaft operating all intake valves and another operating all exhaust valves.
Displacement began at just 1.1L (1,091cc) with 59PS (43kW; 58hp) with a 72mm ×67mm (2.83in ×2.64in) bore and stroke. A higher (9.0:1) compression ratio raised power to 71PS (52kW; 70hp) soon after.
The engine was bored to 76mm (2.99in) to enlarge engine displacement to 1.2L (1,216cc) for the Coupé model. This, and some tuning, raised output to 80PS (59kW; 79hp), further enhanced up to 88PS (65kW; 87hp) for the HF model.
The engine was re-engineered with a slightly narrower bank angle and longer 69.7mm (2.74in) stroke for 1967. Three displacements were produced: 1.2L (1,199cc)74mm (2.91in) bore, 1.2L (1,231cc)75mm (2.95in) bore, and 1.3L (1,298cc)77mm (3.03in) bore. The latter engine is most common, with the first unit only sold in Greece. Three levels of performance were available: 87PS (64kW; 86hp) for common 1.3 Liter (commonly imported in USA and described as "highly tuned" by Road & Track at the time); 90PS (66kW; 89hp) for its 1.3s evolution and 101PS (74kW; 100hp) for the Rallye HF.
The engine was redone again for a new HF with an even narrower 11° cylinder bank and longer 75mm (2.95in) stroke for its final incarnation. A bore of 82mm (3.23in) gave it a displacement of 1.6L (1,584cc), and power shot up to between 114 and 132PS (84 and 97kW; 112 and 130hp) depending on tune.
See also
Volkswagen VR6 engine, for a more technically detailed article about narrow-angle V-engines
Crowe, James T., ed. (1968). "Toyota 2000 GT". Road & Track Road Test Annual: 110–113.
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