When we mention Yamaha, what immediately comes to mind is a motorcycle or musical instrument such as the piano, organ and guitar. That’s because in this field Yamaha is often mentioned. They are also a known product in the world. But did you know that Yamaha is also good at cars? Even the technology they have is used by several manufacturers to produce legendary cars.

Yes, all this time Yama Motor Company, a company founded in 1955 and most of its shares owned by the Yamaha Corporation, is indeed well known in the business of motorbikes and ATVs. In Indonesia when we talk about scooters, we will call Yamaha NMax, which is currently the king. They also have Aerox, FreeGo and even the WR 155 R which is a mainstay in the adventure segment.

Even though without many people knowing this fork manufacturer is also skilled at producing popular products on four wheels. They turned out to be great at mixing car engines. Not just an ordinary machine, they have successfully designed “name” power-boosting hits in the automotive world. Maybe this information is not widely known or even new to you. Here are some cars whose engines were built from Yamaha interference:

Toyota 2000GT

The beginning of the story of Yamaha splashing into the world of four wheels starting with Toyota. Actually Nissan, but Toyota succeeded in continuing until the realization stage. Marked by the birth point of the Toyota 2000GT, the crank of today’s Toyota sports car. Not only the engine, Yamaha has a hand in designing the car as a whole. Legendary? Obviously, in the 60s when the image of Toyota was often underestimated, they had the ambition to beat up historical models like the Jaguar E-Type or the Porsche 911. They were no less beautiful.

The Toyota 3M boosters for the 2000GT receive a Garputala DOHC aluminum cylinder head. The supply of combustion resources relies on the Mikuni-Solex 40 PHH carburetor. Presenting a balance of power, weight, and ended with the melodious strains of the six-cylinder unit. Decade after decade passed, the cooperation of the two continues. Often times Yamaha is asked to design the top-end of a machine.

Another famous Yamaha design is the arrangement on the engine coded A. 4A-GE to be precise. Yamaha helps Toyota complete the latest song in the automotive world to be played by various nostalgic icons such as the Corolla Sprinter and Corolla “Twin Cam” GTi. The cylinder head is composed with double camshaft and 16 valves. Not finished yet, then in its lifetime the 20V comes on top of this four cylinder block. Light, powerful, and friendly to be modified into the choice of speed lovers.

Toyota Altezza RS 200

There are still many parts of Yamaha’s role in Toyota engine design. Example when collaborating to make 3S-GE, filling the engine room Celica, MR2, Rav4, to IS200. Not to forget the 2ZZ-GE, once carried by Lotus Exige. Especially for the Altezza RS 200, it fits into the fifth and final generation of the 3S-GE engine. What was later referred to as BEAMS (Breaktrhrough Engine with Advanced Mechanism System). Using a variable-valeve timing system, titanium valve, and 7600 rpm engine speed that produces 207 bhp and ejects at the rear wheels.

Lexus LFA

Yamaha’s ability was then recommended by Toyota in its luxury brand, Lexus. Yep, Yamaha started by making cylinder heads for the Lexus IS-F used in the N / A V8 engine. Then they worked on LFA. Unmitigated they designed a 4.8 liter V10 unit 1LR-GUE on the Lexus LFA. Contains 10 cylinders but claimed to be lighter than the heart of the V6 2GR-FE. Uniquely, having experts in the field of tone-producing instruments, there are special touches so that this machine has a distinctive sound. “Roar of an Angel” as Lexus engineers call it.

Ford Taurus SHO

The capability to make the engine also glimpsed by Ford. Yamaha was once given the task of creating work for the Ford Taurus SHO. Not an ordinary machine because SHO stands for Super High Output, meaning there must be a performance orientation. The result is a 60-degree tilted 3.0-liter V6 booster, positioned sideways behind the bonnet. Performance? No kidding.

The total output reaches 223 PS and is capable of reaching 7,300 rpm – it is said that it can exceed 8,000 rpm. Looks normal, right? But this value is fantastic for a 3.0 liter engine in the late 80s. It even exceeds the output of the Ford Mustang Foxbody even though it has a V8 engine.

This V6 unit continued to be adopted until the second generation. It was only after entering the third generation that the Taurus SHO got the heart of the American taste, the V8 207 Ci (3.4 liters) with 241 PS power. The engine was no longer completely from Yamaha, because the cylinder block was supplied by Cosworth. Even so, there was still Japanese interference on the cylinder head.

Volvo XC90 V8

Apart from America, the Swedish manufacturers were interested in the capabilities of Yamaha’s power-boosting composers. Volvo needed a V8 engine to meet the extravagant demands of the US market. It’s just that they don’t have the skills. Buying a whole machine is not possible because it has to fit in the engine room, which is often filled with side 5-cylinder units. The V8 itself was present for the first time on the XC90.

Volvo also comes with special specifications. From design to manufacturing executed by Yamaha, there is a 4.4 liter B8444S V8 unit. Power extraction reaches 319 PS at 5,950 rpm along with a strong torque of 440 Nm. Unique because it is not split 90 degrees like the V8 in general. The tilt angle is listed as 60 degrees but does not correspond to the 60 degree V6 on the Taurus SHO.

Not only the XC90, the B8444S can be found on the S80 too. In addition, the 8-cylinder heart made by Yamaha for Volvo is also used by the Noble M600 supercar. Thanks to internal overhaul and additional twin turbo and variable boost, the minimum power output reaches 456 PS to as high as 659 PS.