Today, when we are getting surrounded by downsized hybrids and silent EVs, Mercedes-Maybach is holding onto one of the best engines the automotive industry has ever seen – the V12. And according to Maybach boss Markus Bauer, customers still demand it.
“If somebody comes in and says, ‘I want a V12,’ it’s hard to convince them to buy a V8,” Bauer recently stated. Interestingly, the biggest market for the engine is now the United States. Buyers in Europe no longer get access to the V12-powered S-Class, largely due to emissions regulations. Instead, European customers receive electrified V6 and V8 options.
Right now, the glorious 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 survives exclusively in the Mercedes-Maybach S680. The engine produces 621 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, delivering effortless speed with the sort of silk-smooth character only a V12 can provide. Maybach has also introduced a new flat-plane-crank twin-turbo V8. It’s powerful, refined, and modern. But even Mercedes knows it doesn’t quite replace the V12.
For now, Mercedes-Maybach says it will keep the 12-cylinder powerhouse alive for as long as regulations allow. And honestly, that feels like very good news for car enthusiasts everywhere.
Source: Road and Track
