V12 engines: are we facing the extinction of one of the most special configurations?

V12 engines are among the most special in the industry, and everything points to us having to say goodbye to them sooner than we think. Many brands have at least one model that is, or has been, powered by this type of engine. These are: BMW, Bentley, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz. That said, we must not forget Cosworth, which will develop, from scratch, the V12s that will power the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50.

What is it about the V12 engine that has made it the most revered engine configuration?

One of the characteristics that has brought this engine to glory is, of course, its refinement. If a six-cylinder inline engine offers perfect primary and secondary balance, imagine a V12, which has twice the number of cylinders. This configuration makes the engine smoother, which is why premium brands use it. Who was the first manufacturer to dare to fit one to its models? Packard in 1916.

To this smoothness we must add power, and they are more powerful than V8 or V10 engines of the same displacement. This is because the moving parts are smaller, have less reciprocating mass and can accelerate and produce more power. Do you already know why Ferrari has a V12 for each of its 73 years? Besides smoothness, refinement and power, we must also highlight its sound, which is very distinctive, so much so that it can even be multifaceted. According to some experts in the field, the sound of V12s is “musical, orchestral and even fascinating.” The V12 engine is one of the purest, most elegant, and offers one of the best sounds.

Which are the best V12s ever created?

Now that we may have to say goodbye to this engine in about five years, let us review the best V12s ever created. In first place is the Ferrari Colombo V12. This engine powered all of Ferrari’s road models during their first 20 years, as well as many of its most famous racing cars. It started as a 1.5-litre engine and ended up as a 3.3. Think of the TestaRossa, the GTO, the Tour de France, the 250 SWB, the 250 LM and the 275 GTB/4, and you will be thinking of models powered by this engine.

In second place is the Lamborghini Bizzarrini V12. This engine powered all Lamborghini models, from the original 350 GT of 1963 to the last Murciélago in 2011, with displacements from 3.5 to 6.5 litres, which makes it one of the most durable and versatile engines. The four-valve heads of the 1985 Countach Quattrovalvole gave it a second life. In third place on the podium is the McLaren-BMW V12. It was one of the most distinctive and exciting V12s ever created, not to mention that it was, at the time, easily the most powerful production engine.