"M4 Program". At the beginning of WWI and after losses inflicted by the Germans, in France the possibility of trying to attack Germany with managing bombers such as the Voisin, Caudron and Farman opens up. This program was about obtaining 200/220 CV engines.

-The M4 Program was to be financially and industrially supported by the Michelin family.

-The military were the ones who named it after that program.

-They should be able to transport enough bomb loads at a planned distance to be considered strategic.

-At that time there were automobile factories capable of building these engines, such as Renault, Panhard and Peugeot. (see all of them).

-The Peugeot engine was the L112, an 8-cylinder V-engine that gave 200 CV at 2,000 rpm.

-With double overhead camshaft it is distinguished by a beautiful distribution transmission based on multiple gears.

“Peugeot L112”

“Peugeot L112”

-Another contestant engine was the Renault 12-cylinder V-engine that gave 220 CV with a single overhead cam.

-It was the Renualt 12E model, and as a curiosity it had the V at 52°.

It was water cooled and the cylinders were paired two by two, so that there were three groups per side.

-Below we show a cross section with the water pump underneath.

“Renault 12E”

-The third engine of the M4 Program was the Panhard (from Panhard et Levassor) V12-J model from the year 1916.

“Panhard V12-J”

-This water-cooled engine had individual cylinders and it gave 220 CV at 1,300 rpm.