Editing V12 engine (section)

{{Short description|Piston engine with 12 cylinders in V-configuration}}
{{Other uses|V12 (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
[[File:Porsche 3512 engine rear-left 2019 Prototyp Museum.jpg|thumb|right |1991 [[Porsche 3512]] Formula One engine]]

A '''V12 engine''' is a twelve-[[Cylinder (engine)|cylinder]] [[Internal combustion engine#Reciprocating engines|piston engine]] where two banks of six cylinders are arranged in a [[V engine|V configuration]] around a common [[crankshaft]]. V12 engines are more common than [[V10 engine]]s. However, they are less common than [[V8 engine]]s.

The first V12 engine was built in 1904 for use in [[Boat racing|racing boats]]. Due to the balanced nature of the engine and the smooth delivery of [[Engine power|power]], V12 engines were found in early luxury automobiles, boats, aircraft, and tanks. Aircraft V12 engines reached their apogee during World War II, after which they were mostly replaced by [[jet engine]]s. In Formula One racing, V12 engines were common during the late 1960s and early 1990s.

Applications of V12 engines in the 21st century have been as marine engines, in railway locomotives, as large stationary power as well as in some European sports and luxury cars.