Is McLaren's Managing Director Right? - "The V12 Engine Is A Thing Of The PAST.."

According to recent reports, McLaren's managing director, Antony Sheriff has said that "The V12 engine is a thing of the past. The engine belongs in a museum."

Considering the legacy of the marque's famous -- and some would say best supercar ever -- McLaren F1, which was powered by a BMW V12, that's a pretty bold statement. Question is, how valid is it?

At this stage you have to argue that cars need to be lighter, less complex -- which, in turn, keeps costs down -- and need to be able to be packaged for smaller engine compartments. Remember, after years of growing in all directions, it's time for vehicles to take a step in the other direction and shrink. In addition, with the advancement of forced induction technology, turbochargers lack lag and superchargers have become more reliable.

On the other hand, it's hard for me to believe that the V12 powerplant, which has no TRUE competitor, is dead as a door nail.

There's just nothing that compares to a naturally aspirated V12, sorry folks.

That said though, what say YOU?

Is the V12 a museum piece OR is it still the go-to motor for high-end performance vehicles?

pennfootball - 8/8/2012 10:36:28 AM

+4 Boost

There is no engine as smooth and ballanced and as powerful as a V12...They just want to pinch pennies and keep weight low so they don't have to do as much R&D to make them emmisions compliant becasue they are cheap. A luxury car is a V12 a Ferrari is a V12...There will always be a market for a 12 cylinder car becasue of the sound, feeling, insta-torque and the sheer will of man to have a car with a personality.

kjg48359 - 8/8/2012 11:40:26 AM

+2 Boost

Like all human endeavors, there is an art component and a science component to everything that we do. And both are always advancing. But the high end cars where a V12 would be used are more about the art of engineering that what would be the practical side of mass produced vehicles. Without that art to enrich our lives, we would not be stretching our imaginations, or desires. Let us hope that time will allow art to continue to be supported. But in the end, it is those that can afford the art to continue to support such endeavors to keep the dreams alive.

bperlow - 8/8/2012 6:20:27 PM

0 Boost

Maclaren is right. V12s are too big and dont give bang for the buck power. People with phallic insecurity need a V12 with the wannabee sound. Seeing porsche 911 turbos and GTRs pass these V12 cars is priceless. Id like to see porsche make a turbo4 again.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 8/8/2012 7:23:09 PM

+1 Boost

F12 Berlinetta // LP 700-4 // AMG 65 ............

Now go crawl back under your rock.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 8/8/2012 7:24:03 PM

+1 Boost

BTW there is no Porsche Turbo or GTR in the world that would beat a 599 GTB or GTO in a mile race, Standing or rolling.