Thread: V12 engine a thing of the past says McLaren exec

Engines are headed to shed cylinders in all areas of the automotive future. Don’t believe it? Try asking McLaren executive Antony Sheriff.

“The V12 engine is a thing of the past. The engine belongs in a museum,” he said to Dutch website Autovisie.

It’s a philosophy the company already adopted with its MP4-12C with its 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 making 617 hp, only a single horse shorter than the famed F1′s naturally aspirated V12 made. His, and McLaren’s, philosophy is that smaller turbocharged engines are more efficient, can be used to make similar power with less weight and displacement, and have fewer moving parts than a comparably performing V12.

That’s not a view shared by competing Italian companies like Ferrari and Pagani which both used V12 powerplants in current production cars. Despite big name industry stoicism, Sheriff said a V6 might even be in the future for McLaren, though the brand will never stray from its mid-engine setup.

While it might seem like a shock to think of the iconic F1′s manufacturer thinking of going to a V6, one thing Sheriff made clear stands out from the rest: weight. While other brands are still relying on larger engines which will eventually go the way of the dodo bird, McLaren is playing a quiet and sly gambit.

After all, horsepower isn’t everything. The F1 proved that in its staying power against hulking brutes like the Bugatti Veyron. Even with a V6, it’s completely conceivable that it could build an impressive supercar – just look back on (or forward to) the Acura NSX.

While it’s expected that the new F1 will be present this September at the Paris Motor Show, there have also been rumblings that the car will appear at Pebble Beach next week. If that’s the case then definitive information should be just around the corner.

Read the complete McLaren story at AutoGuide.com

that's all well and good but V12 rumble > all.

I think I was born at the wrong time...

That's the future and everyone has to accept it. If other car manufacturers are sticking with their V12s doesn't mean it's the right or the better choice to go for IMO ; )

I think it's funny he mentions the Acura/Honda NSX when looking to 6 cylinder examples, but says nothing about Porsche... a company who has built 6 cylinder cars that outperform and have achieved supercar performance (959, RUF (not a tuner, they are a manufacturer), GT1, etc) beyond the NSX with a history hitting 50+ years of development.

I agree 12 cylinders sound amazing but it's well known that FI engines easily eclipse 100% efficiency in output and less cylinders means less moving parts (as mentioned for reliability) but also less harmonics (via shorter crankshafts etc) meaning high revving, more powerful motors from smaller displacement.

Not surprised thats where McLaren stands but V12 engines are NOT a thing of the past... Atleast I hope not!

Originally Posted by Liquid Assets

Not surprised thats where McLaren stands but V12 engines are NOT a thing of the past... Atleast I hope not!

I think they are right that they will. We all know (logically) the less parts involved, the more reliable something becomes. We also know (physics) that the very long cranks needed for V12's are hard to keep straight the faster they spin (harmonics). Between these two factors which limit the reliability and output of this design, coupled with the fact they are very expensive to maintain (regular maintenance and otherwise) they will easily be eclipsed in all areas (power, reliability, serviceability, cost of ownership, fuel efficiency) by FI engines with less cylinders & displacement. Not to say I won't miss the sound of a V12, the smoothness of power delivery or the bragging rights of that motor under the hood

Give me back my V12 dreams!