Mercedes-Benz approves the development of a new V12 unit

The S-Class will soon be powered with a brand new V12 unit. Mercedes-Benz has recently approved the development of the V12 unit, which incidentally is also being lined up for use in the DB9 and upcoming Rapide after its 2012 release date. Aston Martin currently uses a 6.0-liter V12 Duratec engine sourced through Ford.

It’s expected that the Rapide would use the same ford-sourced V12 unit when it enters production. There are talks that Rapide may have an upgrade later on, and that Aston Martin may stall the project in order to make use of the new Mercedes-Benz engine from the start of the Rapide’s production. The outcome remains unclear.
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dumpsty - 7/13/2009 10:59:23 AM

+4 Boost

I almost forgot that Ford did own Aston Martin until I read that AM is still using a 6.0L V12 (based on the) Duratec engine family.

Joe_Limon - 7/13/2009 11:06:39 AM

+2 Boost

When the rest of the world goes small, Benz decides to make a new 6.0 V12... looks like there still is good in the world.

bfghemicuda - 7/13/2009 12:09:52 PM

-1 Boost

Is bigger better or is more better?

pennfootball - 7/13/2009 1:02:47 PM

+4 Boost

Ok a larger V12 can suck in more air/fuel but a V12 also has advantages over a V8 in that the same displacement can make more power because it has better volumetric efficiency with 48-60 valves instead of 16-40 valves that are possible. another advantage is a V12 is naturally balanced without the need for counter rotating ballencing shafts if it is at a proper 60-62.5 degree angle.

Disadvantages of a V12 are
fuel consumption that is higher than a V8
Larger footprint creates packaging challenges
increased weight
increased parts count
increased time to put said v8 together from increased part count
Cost...cost...cost!

Joe_Limon - 7/13/2009 1:39:40 PM

+4 Boost

But look at the vehicles this engine is going into. People want to pay for the cost so they can have a v12, and the weight doesn't matter because astons and s-class's aren't lightweight, nor do they try to be. Given the needs of the manufacturer and the demands of the consumer, a v12 is the best option.

pennfootball - 7/13/2009 1:04:16 PM

+3 Boost

increased time to put said v12* together from increased part count I mean!

sector - 7/13/2009 1:27:48 PM

-7 Boost

I commend MB for a new V12, unlike BMW who resorts to cheating and cost cutting by turbo-charging everything they can get their hands on.

JRobUSC - 7/13/2009 3:30:35 PM

+4 Boost

and how many naturally aspirated V12's does Mercedes have in their lineup again? Oh yeah, zero, all their V12's are turbocharged. And before the 63 AMG's came along, how did Mercedes power their 32 AMG and 55 AMG models? Oh yes, with superchargers. What about all those "Kompressor" models? Were those naturally aspirated? No? Well shucks.

What about Audi? How does Audi power, well, at this point pretty much all of their models? That's right, forced induction, from the base A3 all the way up to the RS6.

Those damn lowdown dirty cheaters at BMW...

Yonder7 - 7/13/2009 1:41:13 PM

+5 Boost

sector: Most of V12 comming from Benz are Twin Turbo...
I think that the next MB V12 will be smaller but with more power and of course more efficient...I like Benz most of the previous BMW were natural aspiration engines...

JRobUSC - 7/13/2009 3:32:33 PM

+4 Boost

Hey, David999, nice to see you. I was concerned the average reader IQ on here was getting too high -- thank goodness you're back.

Yonder7 - 7/13/2009 3:33:50 PM

+5 Boost

You wish, Any MB V12 will make LS600 bite the dust any day...

JRobUSC - 7/13/2009 4:00:16 PM

+3 Boost

V12? Hell, that's overkill, you can do the same thing with any current MB V8.

JRobUSC - 7/13/2009 5:44:16 PM

+3 Boost

shhh! Sector might hear you. He doesn't know about them turbos on that there Benz V12.

kablaam - 7/14/2009 6:46:50 AM

+3 Boost

MT, Insideline, Car and Driver and my own real world tests :-) has the 335 at least 1/2 second faster to the 1/4 @ more than 3mph. Do you know what those trap speeds equate to in distances? Let's just say that the lonely BMW will be 75 feet ahead of the Lexus which equals about 4 car lengths and that will only increase as speeds increase.

Oh, but I forgot, the lexus gets the same performance.

Give me a break.