Initially the V4 engine was designed by Ford for a new entry compact car intended for the US market to be called the Ford "Cardinal", which eventually evolved into the Taunus 12m P4. Ford abandoned the "Cardinal" project and instead built the Ford Falcon for North America. Ford then sought other uses for the V4 engine which was initially tested in the Saab 96. Ford bought several Saab 96s for testing and eventually sold the cars back to Saab with the V4 engines in them. Saab tested the V4s at their Trollhättan test track which stimulated Saab to acquire the V4 engine for their 95, 96, and 97 (Sonett) introduced in August 1966 (1967 production model). The V4 engine eliminated the need to mix oil with fuel for the two-cycle Saab "Shrike" engine and provided better low end torque. Saab dealers offered the first owner a "Lifetime Warranty" for the V4 for US$50.