Editing V12 engine

{{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.

== Design ==
=== Balance and smoothness ===
Each bank of a V12 engine essentially functions as a [[straight-six engine]], which by itself has perfect primary and secondary [[engine balance]]. A four-stroke V12 engine has even firing order at V-angles of 60, 120, or 180 degrees<ref>. Engine Configuration and Smoothness Autozine Technical School https://www.autozine.org/technical_school/engine/Smoothness2.html
autozine.org
</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=December 2024|sure=y|reason=personal website}} Many V12 engines use a V-angle of 60 degrees between the two banks of cylinders.<ref>{{cite book|last=Nunney |first=Malcolm James |title=Light and Heavy Vehicle Technology |edition=Fourth |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |year=2007 |pages=13–14 |isbn= 978-0-7506-8037-0}}</ref> V12 engines with other V-angles have been produced, sometimes using split [[crankpin]]s to reduce the unbalanced vibrations. The drawbacks of V12 engines include extra cost, complexity, friction losses, and external size and weight, compared with engines containing fewer cylinders.

At any given time, three of the cylinders in a V12 engine are in their power stroke, which increases the smoothness of the power delivery by eliminating gaps between power pulses.

A V12 engine with a 180 degree V-angle is often called a [[flat-twelve engine]]. These are also sometimes called '[[Flat engine#Boxer engine|boxer]] twelve' engines, however this terminology is incorrect for the majority of 180-degree V12 engines, since they use shared crankpins and are therefore not configured as true boxer engines.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/rolls-royce-condor-ia-v-12-engine |title=Rolls-Royce Condor IA, V-12 Engine |date=2016-03-10 |work=National Air and Space Museum |access-date=2017-05-24 |language=en |archive-date=2017-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824095342/https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/rolls-royce-condor-ia-v-12-engine |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Theoretically, the rotating parts of a V12 racing engine could be lighter than a crossplane V8 engine of similar displacement due to the V12 engine not requiring counterweights on the crankshaft or as much inertial mass for the flywheel. In addition, the exhaust system of a V12 engine is much simpler than would be required for a crossplane V8 engine to achieve pulsed exhaust gas tuning. However, the use of V12 engines in motor racing is uncommon in the 21st century.

=== Size and displacement ===
A 60-degree V12 engine is typically narrower than a 90-degree V6 or V8 engine of similar displacement. However, the V12 engine is usually longer than V6 and V8 engines. The added length often makes it difficult to fit a V12 engine into a passenger car, but the length is not typically a problem for trucks and stationary applications. Due to its narrower width, the V12 is common as locomotive, armoured tank, and marine engines. In these applications, the width of the engine is constrained by tight [[Loading gauge|railway clearances]] or [[Lane|street widths]], while the length of the vehicle is more flexible.

In twin-propeller boats, two V12 engines can be narrow enough to sit side by side, while three V12 engines are sometimes used in high-speed three-propeller configurations. Large, fast cruise ships can have six or more V12 engines. In historic piston-engine fighter and bomber aircraft, the long, narrow V12 configuration used in high-performance aircraft made them more streamlined than other engines, particularly the short, wide [[radial engine]].

== Usage in marine vessels ==
[[File:V-12 Dörwald marine motor.JPG|thumb|1904 Craig-Dörwald racing boat engine]]
[[File:Two Main Engines, V12.jpg|thumb|right|Two large marine engines]]

The first V-engine (a V-twin design) was built by [[Gottlieb Daimler#First Daimler-Maybach automobile built (1889)|Daimler]] in 1889,<ref>{{cite web |title=Legend 1: 1.5 PS Daimler two-cylinder engine. |url= https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/classic/museum/1-5-hp-daimler-two-cylinder-engine/ |website=mercedes-benz.com |access-date=13 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref> then the first V8 engine was built by [[Antoinette (manufacturer)|Antoinette]] in 1903. These were followed by the first V12 engine in 1904, which was built by Putney Motor Works in London for use in racing boats.<ref name="Ludvigsen" >{{cite book |title=The V12 Engine |last=Ludvigsen |first=Karl |author-link=Karl Ludvigsen |publisher=Haynes |location=Sparkford, Yeovil | year=2005 |isbn=978-1-84425-004-2 |pages=14–19}}</ref> Known as the "Craig-Dörwald" engine after Putney's founding partners,<ref>{{cite web |title=Putney Motor Co |url= https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Putney_Motor_Co |website=gracesguide.co.uk |access-date=13 February 2020}}</ref> the V12 engine was based on Putney's existing two-cylinder engine with a [[flathead engine|flathead]] design, a V-angle of 90 degrees and an aluminium crankcase. As in many marine engines, the camshaft could be slid longitudinally to engage a second set of [[Cam (mechanism)|cam]]s, giving valve timing that reversed the engine's rotation to achieve [[astern propulsion]].<ref>M. Dörwald,'' The Automobile Commercial Vehicle Review'', August 1904.</ref> The engine had a displacement of {{convert|1120|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} a weight of {{convert|950|lbs|kg|abbr=on|order=flip}} and developed {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} racing boats, but little is known of its racing achievements.<ref name="Ludvigsen"/>

Two more V12s appeared in the 1909-1910 motor boat racing season. The Lamb Boat & Engine Company in the United States built a {{convert|1559|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} engine for the company's {{convert|32|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=1|order=flip}} 'Lamb IV' boat. The Orleans Motor Company built a massive {{convert|3464|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} flathead V12 engine with a power output quoted as "nearly {{convert|400|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}". In 1914, [[Panhard]] built two {{convert|2356|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} V12 engines with four valves per cylinder, which were designed for use in racing boats.<ref name="Ludvigsen"/>

Large V12 diesel engines are common in modern cruise ships, which may have up to six such engines.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wartsila.com/en/engines/medium-speed-engines |title=Medium-speed engines |publisher=Wärtsilä |access-date=29 January 2015}}</ref> An example of a currently produced V12 marine engine is the ''Wärtsilä 46F'' engine, where the V12 version has a displacement of {{convert|1157|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} and a power output of {{convert|14,400|kW|hp|-2|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wärtsilä 46F - diesel engine |url= https://www.wartsila.com/marine/build/engines-and-generating-sets/diesel-engines/wartsila-46f |website=wartsila.com |access-date=7 March 2020}}</ref>

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== Usage in airplanes ==
=== 1900s to 1930s ===
{{multiple image
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| image1    = Liberty V12.jpg
| caption1  = 1917 [[Liberty L-12]] airplane engine
| image2    = Renault130hp.jpg
| caption2  = Renault 12Dc airplane engine, circa 1925
}}

[[Renault]] introduced the first V12 engine for aircraft with their [[Renault 90 hp|90 hp model of 1912]]. This engine had a V-angle of 60 degrees, air cooling and an [[IOE engine|intake over exhaust]] (F-head) valve arrangement. The propeller was driven from the front end of the camshaft, thus spinning the propeller speed at half the speed of a typical crankshaft driven propeller, in order to improve the propeller efficiency.<ref name="Ludvigsen"/> The Renault engine was closely mimicked by the [[RAF 4]] and its derivatives,{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} which was used by various British military aircraft during World War I. The RAF 4 engine had a displacement of {{convert|13.2|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}}, weighed {{convert|637|lbs|kg|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} and produced {{convert|140|hp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} at 1,800 rpm.

In March 1914, a prototype version of the [[Sunbeam Crusader#Variants|Sunbeam Mohawk]] V12 engine was unveiled in the United Kingdom, based on the 'Toodles V' motor racing engine. The production version was rated at {{convert|225|hp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} at 2,000 rpm, making it the most powerful airplane engine in Great Britain at the outbreak of World War I.<ref name="Ludvigsen"/> During and after World War I, various companies in the United States produced the [[Liberty L-12]] engine. In Austria, the [[Austro Daimler]] V12 engines were used by the large flying boats of the Naval Air Force and produced up to {{convert|345|hp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}. By the end of World War I, V12s were well established in aviation, powering some of the newest and largest fighter and bomber airplanes.

After World War I, many [[Zeppelin]]s used V12 engines built by [[Maybach]] and [[Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft|Daimler]]. V12 engines powered the first transatlantic crossings by the Curtiss NC flying boats (using four Liberty L-12 engines), the first non-stop transatlantic crossing in a Vickers Vimy (using two [[Rolls-Royce Eagle]] engines) and the first transatlantic crossing by an airship in the R-34 class airship (using five [[Sunbeam Maori]] engines).

=== 1940s to present ===
[[File:YorkMerlin.JPG|thumb|1946 [[Rolls-Royce Merlin]] airplane engine in an [[Avro York]] ]]

V12 engines reached their apogee during [[World War II]] with engines such as the British [[Rolls-Royce Merlin]] and [[Rolls-Royce Griffon]], the Soviet [[Klimov VK-107]] and [[Mikulin AM-38]], the American [[Allison V-1710 engine|Allison V-1710]], and the German [[Daimler-Benz DB 600]] and [[Junkers#Junkers Jumo|Junkers Jumo]]. These engines generated about {{convert|1000|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} at the beginning of the war and over {{convert|1500|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} at their ultimate evolution stage. This rapid increase in power outputs was due to technology such as multi-speed [[supercharger]]s and high [[Octane rating|octane]] fuels, and the V12 layout was commonly adopted due to its low vibrations so that the powerful engines did not tear apart the light airframes of fighters.

The Allied forces used V12 engines with an "upright" design, while many German engines (aside from the [[BMW VI]], which was designed prior to World War II), used an [[Inline engine (aeronautics)#Inverted engine|inverted engine]] design, which had a lower centre of gravity and improved pilot visibility for single-engined designs. The only American-design inverted V12 engine of any type to see even limited service in World War II was the air-cooled [[Ranger V-770]], which was used in aircraft that were only used for training purposes within the United States, such as the [[Fairchild AT-21 Gunner]].

The Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 engine was used in several British aircraft including the [[Hawker Hurricane]] and [[Supermarine Spitfire]] fighters, and the [[Avro Lancaster]] and [[de Havilland Mosquito]] bombers. The Hurricane and Spitfire played vital roles in the [[Battle of Britain]]. The long, narrow configuration of the V12 contributed to good aerodynamics, while its smoothness allowed its use with relatively light and fragile airframes.

In the United States, the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine was produced under license by Packard Motor Car Company, which was used in the [[P-51 Mustang]] fighter. This engine was also incorporated into some models of the Curtiss P-40, specifically the P-40F and P-40L. Packard Merlins powered Canadian-built Hurricane, Lancaster, and Mosquito aircraft, as well as the UK-built [[Supermarine Spitfire (late Merlin powered variants)|Spitfire Mark XVI]], which was otherwise the same as the Mark IX with its British-built Merlin. The [[Allison V-1710]] was the only liquid-cooled V12 engine designed in the United States that was used on active service during World War II. It was initially used in the [[P-38 Lightning]], but the [[turbosupercharger]] system required bulky ductwork and had poor high-altitude performance. In 1943, a version using a more conventional mechanical [[supercharger]] began production.

After World War II, V12 engines became generally obsolete in aircraft due to the introduction of [[turbojet]] and [[turboprop]] engines that had more power for their weight, and fewer complications.

== Usage in automobiles ==
{{Listen|filename=Pagani Zonda R.ogg|title=Pagani Zonda R|type=sound|style=float:right;clear:none}}
In automobiles, V12 engines are less common than engines with fewer cylinders, due to their size, complexity, and cost. They have been mostly used for expensive sports and luxury cars thanks to their power, smooth operation, and distinctive sound.

=== 1910s ===
[[File:1916Packard1-35TownCarLimoKimballEngine.jpg|thumb|right|1916 [[Packard#1906–1930|Packard Twin Six]] engine]]

One of the earliest recorded uses of V12 engines in automobiles was in October 1913, when a custom-built racing car competed at the Brooklands circuit in the United Kingdom. The car was entered by [[Louis Coatalen]], who was chief engineer of the Sunbeam Motor Car Company. It was named 'Toodles V' (after Coatalen's pet name for his wife) and achieved several speed records in 1913 and 1914.<ref name="Ludvigsen"/> The V12 engine had a displacement of {{convert|9.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}}, an aluminum crankcase, iron cylinders with L-shaped combustion chambers, a cam-in-block valvetrain and a V-angle of 60 degrees. Each bank of the engine consisted of two-cylinder blocks with three cylinders each. Valve clearance was set by grinding the relevant parts, the engine lacking any easy means of adjustment. This reflected the intention for the engine to be later used in aircraft since any adjustment method that could go wrong in flight was to be avoided. As initially built, the V12 was rated at {{convert|200|bhp|kW|-1|abbr=on|order=flip}} at 2,400 rpm and weighed approximately {{convert|750|lb|kg|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}.

Amongst the first production cars to use a V12 engine were the 1915 [[Packard#1906–1930|Packard Twin Six]],<ref>{{cite web |title=1915 Packard Twin Six |url= https://larzanderson.org/history/the-collection/1915-packard-twin-six/ |website=larzanderson.org |access-date=21 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Counting to Twelve: The Packard Twelve and Twin Six |url= https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/packard-twelve-twin-six-history/ |website=ateupwithmotor.com |access-date=21 February 2020 |date=26 June 2010}}</ref> the 1915 ''National'' V12 engine{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} and the 1917 [[Weidely Motors Company|Weidely Pathfinder]];<ref>{{cite web |title=The Great Pathfinder – "King of the Twelves" |url=http://theoldmotor.com/?p=106867 |website=theoldmotor.com |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128005355/http://theoldmotor.com/?p=106867 |url-status=dead }}</ref> all of which were built in the United States.

=== 1920s to 1940s ===
[[File:1931Cadillac370AcoupeV12-engine.jpg|thumb|right |1931 [[Cadillac V-12#Series 370 (1931–1935)|Cadillac Series 370A]] engine]]

During the late 1920s, the number of marques offering V12 engines for their passenger cars increased and peaked in the 1930s. The lack of vibration and sound, inherent smoothness, and increased power were cited as key benefits for V12 engines.<ref>{{cite book |last=Georgano |first=G.N. |author-link=G.N. Georgano |title=Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886–1930 |publisher=Mason Crest |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-59084-491-5 |page=Chapter 3: Painless Sophistication |url-access=registration |url= https://archive.org/details/worldofwheels0000unse }}</ref> Automobile petrol produced in the 1920s and 1930s had lower [[octane rating]], leading to lower engine performance ratings, and [[Bushing (isolator)#History|vibration isolating engine mounts]] were rarely fitted to the passenger cars in the 1920s and the early 1930s. Adding more cylinders to the engine was one of several techniques for performance increase.

European passenger cars with V12 engines were:
*[[Fiat 520|Fiat 520 'Superfiat']] (1921–1922)
*[[Daimler Double-Six sleeve-valve V12|Daimler Double-Six]] (several models built at different times from 1926 to 1938)
*{{ill|Horch 12|de|vertical-align=sup}} (1931–1934)
*[[Hispano-Suiza J12]] (1931–1938)
*[[Maybach Zeppelin]] DS 7 (1928–1930) and DS 8 (1930–1938)
*[[Rolls-Royce Phantom III]] (1936–1939)
*[[Tatra 80]] (1931–1935)

American passenger cars with V12 engines were:
*[[Auburn Automobile|Auburn V-12 Speedster]] (1932–1934)<ref>{{cite web |title=1932 Auburn V-12 Speedster |url= https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AZ12/Arizona/lots/r241-1932-auburn-v-12-speedster/280418 |website=rmsothebys.com |access-date=21 February 2020 |language=en |date=21 July 2017}}</ref>
*[[Cadillac V-12]] (1931–1937) 
*[[Franklin (automobile)|Franklin V-12]] (1932–1934)<ref>{{cite web |title=1932–1934 Franklin V-12 |url=https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1932-1934-Franklin-v12.htm |website=howstuffworks.com |access-date=21 February 2020 |language=en |date=24 October 2007 |archive-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221103350/https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1932-1934-Franklin-v12.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Lincoln K series|Lincoln K-series/Model K]] (1931–1940)
** [[Lincoln Custom|Custom]] (1941–1942)
** [[Lincoln Continental#First generation (1940–1942, 1946–1948)|Continental]] (1940–1948)
*[[Lincoln-Zephyr|Lincoln-Zephyr V-12]] (1936–1942)
** [[Lincoln-Zephyr#H-series|H-series]] (1946–1948)
*[[Packard Twelve|Packard Twin Six]] (1916–1923 and 1932)
** Packard 905 (1916–1923)
** [[Packard Twelve]] (1933–1939)
*[[Pierce-Arrow|Pierce-Arrow Twelve]] (1932–1938)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1932-1938-pierce-arrow-twelve.htm |title=1932–1938 Pierce-Arrow Twelve |website=howstuffworks.com |access-date=2 September 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925143514/https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1932-1938-pierce-arrow-twelve.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** [[Pierce Silver Arrow]] (1933)

Economic hardships caused by the [[Great Depression]] meant that all American automakers except for Lincoln had discontinued production of V12 engines by the end of the 1930s. Lincoln themselves would cease V12 production in 1948, and no American automaker has built V12 engines since. Improvements in engine design, namely combustion chamber, piston form, fuel delivery system, and such enabled the lighter and cheaper V8 engines to surpass V12 engines in performance.

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=== 1945 to 1960s ===
[[File:1961 Ferrari 250 TR 61 Spyder Fantuzzi engine.jpg|right|thumb |1961 [[Ferrari Colombo engine]] in a ''Ferrari 250TR Spyder'']]
Following the end of the Second World War, the economic austerity and changes in taste in many European countries led to the demise of luxury automobiles with V12 engines in the 1940s and 1950s. Lincoln continued the limited production of luxury cars with V12 engines from 1946 to 1948. The American manufacturers focused on continuously improving V8 engines and their performances through the 1950s, leading to the first "horsepower war" in the 1960s.

In Italy, [[Enzo Ferrari]], who had long admired the V12 engines of [[Packard]], [[Auto Union]], and his former employer [[Alfa Romeo]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Ferrari: A Complete Guide to All Models | last = Acerbi | first=Leonardo|year=2006|publisher=Motorbooks |isbn=9780760325506|page=5}}</ref> introduced his first passenger car, [[Ferrari 166 Inter]], in 1948 and fitted it with {{convert|2.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} [[Ferrari Colombo engine|Colombo]] V12 engine. Dissatisfied with the reliability and crudeness of his Ferrari 250 GT, [[Ferruccio Lamborghini]] wanted to develop his own passenger cars that were more cultured and more reliable than the cars produced by Ferrari. His first passenger car, a grand tourer, was [[Lamborghini 350 GT|350 GT]] with {{convert|3.5|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} DOHC engine. Both manufacturers have a long history of producing vehicles with V12 engines, which continues uninterrupted to this day.

Cadillac experimented with V12 engines in 1963 and 1964 as a potential engine option for its first-ever front-wheel-drive car, [[Cadillac Eldorado]]. However, Cadillac was unsatisfied with the performance of its V12 engine, having little advantage over the large displacement V8 that was cheaper to enlarge for more power.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/why-gms-v-12-engine-of-the-future-never-made-production/ |title=Why GM's V-12 "Engine of the Future" never made it to production |first=Don |last=Sherman |date=20 May 2020 |work=Hagerty}}</ref>

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=== 1970s to present ===
[[File:Jaguar V12 engine.jpg|thumb|right|1971–1975 [[Jaguar V12 engine]] in a Jaguar E-type Series 3]]
[[File:AMG Mercedes V12.jpg|thumb|right |1991–1997 [[Mercedes-Benz M120 engine]] ]]

In Europe, several manufacturers added V12 engines to their line-up, as listed below:
* Jaguar: The [[Jaguar V12 engine]] was an all-aluminium SOHC design with displacements of {{convert|5.3|-|6.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} that was produced from 1971 to 1997 in the [[Jaguar E-Type|E-Type]], [[Jaguar XJS|XJS]], and [[Jaguar XJ|XJ.]] The first application for the engine was a 5.3&nbsp;litre version used in the Jaguar E-Type Series 3 sports car.<ref>{{cite web |title=V12 Engine 1971–1997 |url= https://www.jaguarheritage.com/jaguar-history/jaguar-engineering/v12-engine/ |website=jaguarheritage.com |access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Jaguar V12 : Evolution |url= http://www.xj13.eu/XJ13Blog/post/2010/07/14/The-Jaguar-V12-Evolution.aspx |website=xj13.eu |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130414084742/http://www.xj13.eu/XJ13Blog/post/2010/07/14/The-Jaguar-V12-Evolution.aspx |archive-date=14 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jagweb.com/jagworld/v12-engine/ |title=Technical history of the Jaguar V12 |publisher=Jag Web |access-date=29 January 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404101440/http://www.jagweb.com/jagworld/v12-engine/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
* BMW: Production of V12 engines began with the [[BMW M70]] SOHC engine introduced in the 1987 [[BMW 7 Series (E32)|E32 7 Series]] luxury sedan. The engine was also used in the [[BMW 8 Series (E31)|E31 8 Series.]] The engine was upgraded to a DOHC V12 engine in 2003, then to a turbocharged DOHC V12 engine which has been in production from 2008 to the present in the 7 Series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130722/CARREVIEWS/130719803|title = 2013 BMW 760Li review notes|date = 21 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url= http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09q3/2010_bmw_760i_760li-first_drive_review|title= 2010 BMW 760i/760Li |journal=Car & Driver |date=July 2009 |access-date= 2011-09-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://autoweek.com/article/car-reviews/2013-bmw-760li-review-notes |title=2013 BMW 760Li review notes |date=July 21, 2013 |magazine=Autoweek |access-date=7 February 2015}}</ref> BMW V12 engines have also been used in several Rolls-Royce models, beginning in 1998 with the [[Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph]].
* Mercedes-Benz: The company's first V12 engine was the [[Mercedes-Benz M120 engine|M120]], a {{convert|6.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} DOHC engine introduced in the 1991 ''Mercedes-Benz 600 SE'' luxury sedan. This engine was replaced by a SOHC V12 engine in 1998, then a turbocharged SOHC V12 engine which has been in production for 2003 to the present.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130826/CARREVIEWS/130829907 |title=2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG review notes |date=August 25, 2013 |magazine=Autoweek |access-date=29 January 2015}}</ref> Mercedes-Benz V12 engines have also been used in several Maybach models, beginning with the [[Maybach 57 and 62]] in 2002.
* Aston Martin: The 1999 [[Aston Martin DB7#V12 Vantage|Aston Martin DB7 V12 Vantage]] used the company's first V12 engine, a {{convert|362|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} DOHC design. Variations of this engine were used in the [[Aston Martin Vanquish|Vanquish]][[Aston Martin DB9|, DB9]], [[Aston Martin DBS V12|DBS V12]], [[Aston Martin Rapide|Rapide]], [[Aston Martin Virage|Virage]], and [[Aston Martin Vantage (2005)|V12 Vantage]]. This engine was replaced by a turbocharged DOHC V12 engine, which was introduced in the [[Aston Martin DB11]] and has been produced from 2016 to the present.
* Audi: The 2008–2012 [[Audi Q7|Q7]] SUV was powered by the [[List of Volkswagen Group diesel engines#5.9 V12 48V TDI CR DPF 368kW|Audi 6.0 V12 48v TDI engine]], which was the first V12 diesel engine used in a production car.

In the United States, no mass-produced V12 engines have been built since the 1940s, with U.S. manufacturers preferring to use large displacement V8 engines instead.

Japanese manufacturers rarely produce engines with large displacements, therefore V12 engines are very rare. The sole Japanese V12 engine is the 1997–2016 [[Toyota GZ engine]], a {{convert|5.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} DOHC design which was used in the [[Toyota Century]] limousine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toyota's new Century flagship loses V12 in favor of hybrid V8 |url= https://www.autoblog.com/2017/10/05/toyotas-new-century-flagship-loses-v12-in-favor-of-hybrid-v8/ |website=autoblog.com |date= 5 October 2017 |access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Japan's Only V12 Is Not Much To Look At |url= https://jalopnik.com/japans-only-v12-is-not-much-to-look-at-493135625 |website=jalopnik.com |date= 6 May 2013 |access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref>

In China, the 2009 [[Hongqi HQE]] limousine, powered by a {{convert|6.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} DOHC V12 engine, is the sole Chinese car to be produced with a V12 engine.{{citation needed|date=February 2020|reason=Need proof that this car actually reached production}}<ref>{{cite web |title=The Most Expensive Chinese Car, $1.2-Million Hongqi HQE, is Getting Ready for Volume Production |url= http://chinaautoweb.com/2010/11/the-most-expensive-chinese-car-1-2-million-hongqi-hqe-is-getting-ready-for-volume-production/ |website=chinaautoweb.com |access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref>

=== List of V12 production engines ===
{{Main|Category:V12 engines}}

=== Motor racing ===
{{Listen |filename=Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan (1961).ogg|title=1961 Ferrari 250 GT Drogo|filename2=Ferrari 512S (1969).ogg |title2 =1969 Ferrari 512S|filename3=Matra-Simca MS670B (1974).ogg|title3=1974 Matra-Simca MS670B|type=sound|style=float:right;clear:none|help=no}}

V12 engines have often been used in Formula One, particularly from the [[1966 Formula One season|1966 season]] to the [[1969 Formula One season|1969 season]]. The first V12 engine used in Formula One was in the 1964 [[Honda RA271]] racing car, and continued through to the 1968 [[Honda RA301]] racing car. The 1966 season saw V12 engines become popular, with new V12 engines from Ferrari, Maserati, and Weslake. Ferrari's engine debuted in the [[Ferrari 312]] racing car and was used up to the 1975 [[Ferrari 312B]], after which Ferrari switched to a flat-twelve engine. Maserati's engine was introduced in the [[Cooper T81]] and was used until the 1969 [[Cooper T86]]. The Weslake V12 engine was used from 1966 to 1968 and was introduced in the [[Eagle Mk1]] racing car. BRM produced V12 engines from the 1968 [[BRM P133]] racing car until the 1977 [[BRM P207]]. The [[Matra Sports V12 engine]] was introduced in the 1968 ''Matra MS11'' racing car and used until the 1978 [[Ligier JS9]]. Few V12 engines were used in the following decade, with the exception of the Alfa Romeo V12 which was first used by the 1979 [[Brabham BT48]] and then by Alfa Romeo until the 1982 [[Alfa Romeo 182]].

A resurgence of V12 engines in Formula One began in 1989, with the introduction of the [[Ferrari 640]] racing car. Ferrari continued to use V12 engines until the 1995 [[Ferrari 412 T2]] became the last Formula One car to use a V12 engine. The [[Lamborghini V12#Formula One|Lamborghini LE3512]] engine was used by various teams between 1989 and 1993. The ''Honda RA122-E'' engine was first used in the 1991 [[McLaren MP4/6]] and was raced until the 1992 [[McLaren MP4/7A]]. The ''Yamaha OX99'' engine was used in the 1990 [[Brabham BT59]] through to the 1992 [[Brabham BT60]]. The most powerful naturally-aspirated V12 engine used in Formula One was the ''Tipo 043'', used by [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] in {{F1|1994}}, which produced {{convert|850|hp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 15,800 rpm.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scuderia.com/2017/06/01/ferraris-f1-engines-pursuit-power/ |title=Scuderia Ferrari F1 engines |access-date=2021-08-17 |archive-date=2021-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515085321/http://www.scuderia.com/2017/06/01/ferraris-f1-engines-pursuit-power/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In prototype sports car racing, the highly successful 2006–2008 [[Audi R10 TDI]] used a [[Turbodiesel|diesel twin-turbo]] V12 engine. The [[Peugeot 908 HDi FAP]], introduced in 2007, also used a diesel twin-turbo V12 engine.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px" caption="Formula One engines">
File:Lambo V12 F1.JPG |1989–1993 [[Lamborghini V12#Formula One|Lamborghini LE3512]]
File:Honda RA121E engine front Honda Collection Hall.jpg |1991 [[Honda in Formula One#Spirit, Williams, Lotus, McLaren and Tyrrell (1983–1992)|Honda RA121E]]
File:Matra MS11 (3).jpg |1968 [[Matra MS11]]
</gallery>

== Usage in trucks ==
[[File:1960 GMC V12 702cid.JPG|thumb|1961 [[GMC V6 engine#702|GMC Twin Six]] engine]]

Several truck manufacturers have produced V12 diesel engines at various times. For example, the 1967–1982 [[Tatra T813]], built in Czechoslovakia, used a {{convert|17.6|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} [[naturally aspirated]] V12 diesel engine, and the 1983–present [[Tatra T815]] is available with a {{convert|19.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} V12 diesel engine in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. In the United States, V12 versions of the 1938–1995 [[Detroit Diesel Series 71]], the 1967–1999 [[Detroit Diesel Series 149]] and the 1974–1995 [[Detroit Diesel Series 92]] were produced. In Japan, [[Isuzu]] produced naturally aspirated V12 diesel engines from {{convert|14.0|to|22.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} in 1976–2000, for their heavy duty trucks: New Power, 810 and Giga.

Trucks using V12 gasoline (petrol) engines are rare, however several were produced in the United States from the 1930s until the 1970s. In 1931, ''American La France'' began producing firetrucks with V12 gasoline engines based on the ''Lycoming BB motor''. In 1935, the V12 engine used by the [[Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company|Pierce Arrow]] luxury car was fitted to firetrucks built by Seagrave (with production continuing until 1970, since Seagrave purchased the equipment to manufacture the Pierce Arrow engines themselves). The 1960–1965 [[GMC V6 engine#702|GMC Twin Six]] {{convert|702|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} gasoline V12 engine was basically the ''GMC 351'' V6 engine, doubled, with four rocker covers and four exhaust manifolds.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mort |first=Norm |title=American Trucks of the 1960s|year=2010|publisher=Veloce |isbn=978-1-84584-228-4 |pages=41–44|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lM_mr0ihODcC&q=GMC+twin+six+702&pg=PA42 |access-date=6 October 2010}}</ref> Peak power was only {{convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. However peak torque was {{convert|585|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}.
{{clear right}}

== Usage in railway locomotives ==
Many [[diesel locomotive]]s use V12 engines. Examples include the {{convert|3200|hp|MW|2|abbr=on|order=flip}} [[EMD 710|EMD 12-710]] and the {{convert|4400|hp|MW|2|abbr=on|order=flip}} ''GEVO-12'' engine (used in the [[GE Evolution Series#ES44AC|GE ES44AC]] North American locomotives).

V12 engines used in railway locomotives include:{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Manufacturer !! Type !! Bore !! Stroke !! Engine displacement !! rpm !! KW !! kg
|-
| MTU || R43 || {{convert|170|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|195|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|53113|cc|L|abbr=on}} || 1800 || 2400 || 6000
|-
| MTU || 2000 || {{convert|130|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|150|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|23892|cc|L|abbr=on}} || 1800 || 600 || 3000
|-
| EMD || 710 || {{convert|230.1875|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|279.4|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|139500|cc|L|abbr=on}} || 950 || 2500
|-
| GE || 7FDL || {{convert|228.6|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|266.7|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|131355|cc|L|abbr=on}} || 1050 || 2400 
|-
| Cummins || Qs || {{convert|170|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|190|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|51751|cc|L|abbr=on}} || 1800 || 2200
|-
| MAN || 2842 || {{convert|128|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|145|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|22390|cc|L|abbr=on}} || 2800 || 580
|-
| CAT || 3512 || {{convert|170|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|215|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} || {{convert|58560|cc|L|abbr=on}} || 1800 || 1500
|-
| Perkins ||
|-
| Wartsila || 200
|}

== Usage in armoured fighting vehicles ==
[[File:ChryslerV12TankEngine.jpg|thumb|right |1943 ''Chrysler A65'' prototype tank engine]]

The V12 is a common engine configuration for tanks and other [[armoured fighting vehicle]]s. Some examples are:
* German [[List of WWII Maybach engines|HL120TRM]] gasoline engine, used on World War II [[Panzer III]], [[Panzer IV]] and other tanks based on their chassis. The [[Maybach HL230]] and its variants was used on the [[Panther tank|Panther]], [[Tiger II]], [[Jagdpanther]], [[Jagdtiger]] (HL230 P30), then [[Tiger I]] and [[Sturmtiger]] which used the HL230 P45.
* British [[Rolls-Royce Meteor]] petrol engine (derived from the ''Rolls-Royce Merlin'' aero-engine) used in the World War II [[Cromwell tank]] and [[Comet tank]], and later in the [[Centurion tank]] and [[Conqueror tank]]. The [[Challenger 2]] tank was powered by the ''Perkins CV12-6A'' {{convert|26.6|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} diesel engine.
* Soviet [[Kharkiv model V-2]] diesel engine, used in the World War II [[T-34|T-34 tank]], [[Kliment Voroshilov tank]]s and [[IS-2|IS-2 heavy tank]]. Model V-44 12-cyl. 38.88 L diesel used on the late-war [[T-44]]. V-12 diesel engine used on [[T-72]], basically supercharged version of [[Kharkiv model V-2|V-2]].
* American [[Continental AV1790]] engine, produced in gasoline and diesel variants, used on all versions of the [[Patton tank]] and on the [[M103 heavy tank]]. A prototype ''Chrysler A65'' V12 engine was tested in the M4 Sherman tank in 1943, but it did not reach production.<ref>{{cite web |title=#68 The Chrysler Engine that could have been: The A-65 V12, Chrysler's home designed tank motor |url= http://www.theshermantank.com/sherman/68-the-chrysler-engine-that-could-have-been-the-a-65-v12-chryslers-home-designed-tank-motor/ |website=theshermantank.com |date= 6 August 2017 |access-date=8 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chrysler builds Sherman, Pershing, and M3 tanks for the Arsenal of Democracy |url= https://www.allpar.com/history/military/arsenal-of-democracy.html |website=allpar.com |access-date=8 March 2020}}</ref>
*French Poyaud V12XS25 diesel engine used on the [[AMX-40]]. The Maybach HL 295 (reiteration of Maybach HL234, a later version of the [[Maybach HL230]]) was also used on the [[AMX-50]] heavy tank.
*Japanese [[Mitsubishi]] SA12200VD air-cooled V-12 diesel engine used on the [[Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank]]. A 	Mitsubishi Type 100 air-cooled V-12 diesel was also used on the [[Type 4 Ho-Ro]] [[self-propelled gun]].

== See also ==
{{Commons category|V12 engines}}
* [[Flat-twelve engine|Flat-12 engine]]
* [[Straight-12 engine]]
* [[Straight-six engine]]
* [[W12 engine]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|35em}}

{{Piston engine configurations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:V12 engines| ]]
[[Category:V engines|12]]