Top Gear UK, series 13, episode 7. Jeremy Clarkson delivers a heartfelt review of the new Aston Martin V12 Vantage Coupe, stating “I just have this horrible, dreadful feeling that what I’m driving here, is an ending” in reference to his fear of V12 powered performance vehicles soon going extinct. This episode debuted on August 9th 2009.
I distinctly remember watching this episode when it came out and feeling a bit conflicted by his message, despite the exceptionally well produced review. Obviously V12 engines will never be a majority powertrain for performance vehicles, but to think they were on the brink of extinction just felt over blown to me. So, was Clarkson right or wrong?
Well, as it turns out, that V12 Vantage that Clarkson drove did earn a place in history, but not because it was the final V12 Vantage, but simply because it was the first V12 Vantage. Aston Martin brought a new V12 Vantage to the market in 2022 for their second generation of the Vantage, available in both coupe and roadster variants (although limited to just short of 500 combined examples).
It is now 2024, and thankfully, the V12 is not only alive, but new ones are actively being developed. Gordon Murray has ushered in a new era of the famed analog supercar with his new T.50 and T.33 product lines, which are powered by Cosworth developed V12s that deliver some of the fastest revving engines ever made. Aston Martin is continuing to showcase its dedication to the V12, recently stating that the successor to the DBS will feature a twin turbo V12 and that they plan to develop hybrid V12 powertrains to satisfy customer demand. Ferrari has two active series production vehicles with naturally aspirated V12 engines, one of them being revealed only weeks ago to replace the 812 Superfast. Lamborghini recently replaced their aging Aventador with the new Revuelto, a plug in hybrid naturally aspirated V12 flagship. Rolls-Royce also recently revealed their series II Cullinan, which maintains the famed V12 engine.
No surprise that most of the V12 powered vehicles today are highly limited in production and exceptionally expensive but the presence of the V12 feels stronger than the picture originally painted by Clarkson in 2009. Here are some notable V12 powered cars being produced in 2024.
- Aston Martin V12 Vantage (Coupe & Roadster)
- Aston Martin Valkyrie
- Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate
- Ferrari 12 Cilindri
- Ferrari Purosangue
- Ferrari Daytona SP3
- GMA T.50
- GMA T.33
- Lamborghini Revuelto
- Mercedes-Maybach S680
- Pagani Utopia
- Rolls-Royce Ghost
- Rolls-Royce Phantom
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan
- Zenvo Aurora (forthcoming)
To be fair, the list is not huge. The number of V12s on the market has decreased over the past 15 years. Gone are the days where you could purchase several V12 powered AMG vehicles from your local Mercedes-Benz dealership, such as the SL65, CL65, and S65 (not to mention the non-AMG 600 series of those models). BMW has taken a similar path with the absence of their V12 powered flagship M760Li, last seen in 2022. Audi and Bentley, while not specifically focused on V12s, have been known for their continuous use of the W12 powertrain, but those are now being phased out of Bentley’s lineup in favor of V8s, hybrids, and EV offerings. Audi has not offered their W12 powered A8L since 2018. Despite the decreasing number of V12 vehicles, they have always occupied the ultra luxury market segment, offering excessive power and prestige for the flagship models.
However, to say that V12s are dead or quickly making their exit still feels inaccurate in 2024. As the automotive world shifts further into EVs and PHEVs, the experience delivered by a V12 engine only becomes more and more revered by enthusiasts and collectors. In the years since that first generation V12 Vantage came out in 2009, I’ve seen so many other journalists drive the newest V12 powered supercar, making the same kind of swan song statement about the V12 engine as Clarkson did 15 years ago, but guess what? The manufacturers keep fooling us!
Everyone feared that the Aventador would be Lamborghini’s last V12 flagship, and yet here we are with the Revuelto, which itself will spawn various special editions over its production cycle. Enthusiasts said the same thing about the Ferrari F12, and then the 812 Superfast replaced it and people made the same claims, and now here we are with the Ferrari 12 Cilindri moving forward. Bugatti, famed for their W16 engine, recently stated that the successor to the Chiron will be powered by a V16(!), despite the company now being owned by the electric hypercar powerhouse Rimac.
As far as I am concerned, until an OEM’s leadership team makes a direct public statement about ending R&D for their V12s, I trust they will continue to deliver more sonorous V12 performance vehicles, whether they be hybridized or naturally aspirated. Will V12 engines be around forever? Doubtful, but the automotive world has always rewarded products and brands that evoke an emotional connection and an appreciate of excess. Even in the world of electrification, I find it hard to believe that automakers will turn their shoulders on the soulful experience delivered from V12s. Considering some of the recent innovations from Gordon Murray, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin, it feels like the V12 still has many more tricks up its sleeve for the future.