We all know Bentley, Bugatti, Aston Martin, McLaren, Lamborghini or Ferrari. All of these manufacturers have two things in common: they are luxury brands and all have produced at least one V12 engine. Others even continue to perpetuate the Holy Grail, famous W16. But the latter know very well that due to the inevitable electrification of their mileage, all good things come to an end. And this is long before that the end of heat engines, which is scheduled for 2035.

Downsizing will kill the cylinders

For several years “abbreviation” is a big trend among engineers who are getting more and more stringent specifications. Anti-pollution standards, especially on the Old Continent, are comingEuro7, make the development of thermal vehicles even more difficult. Reducing the number of cylinders mechanically reduces both consumption and emissions.

Indeed, the smaller the engine, the less it consumes in principle. A small number of cylinders leads to less frictional losses and less fuel. Finally, a smaller engine is also lighter, which reduces the mass that needs to be moved. To compensate for the loss of output power, turboand compressor or even a electric motor can be used. Today this practice is widespread and we see many manufacturers developing 3 or 4 cylinder engines and abandoning the larger 6 or 8 cylinder engines.

Typical example:

The legendary Mercedes-AMG C63S.

The current C63S has a powerful 550 hp twin-turbo V8. and emits 192 g/km.

Mercedes should continue downsizing and install the A45S AMG 4-cylinder engine in order to pollute less. pic.twitter.com/JgSaPpvwK5

— Henry (@Henri_pg) June 26, 2021

Inevitable loss of know-how

German media outlet Automobilwoche recently interviewed Paolo Tumminello, an automotive philosopher and professor of design at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences, on this topic. “Big engines mark the end of an era. It’s true that electric motors are lighter and more efficient,” he says. “Combustion engines, on the other hand, are some of the best designs man has ever devised.”

Indeed, we are rightly talking about the art of designing and assembling engines. 3.8-liter V6 unit a Nissan GT-R for example, is assembled entirely by hand by six craftsmen, also known as “Master Takumi”. The design professor adds: “For our civilization, the removal of a few cylinders, a major monument of the machine age and a symbol of brilliant genius, is a tragic loss.”

Hybridization to the rescue of large cars

The second-hand market is developing very well, especially for models with a large displacement engine. Ribs are rising, and understandably so. In an increasingly sanitized world with electric motors devoid of any charm, used models have grown in popularity over the years. Because the end of thermal models also sounds like the end of the thrilling sounds of big engines. But maybe not right away!

Indeed, for those with the means, there are still V10 and even V12-powered cars available for sale in the market. And for some brands, they even intend to make them long-lasting. Under one condition, transfer a hybrid module. For example SF90 A galloping horse is a perfect example. Equipped with a V8 4.0 biturbo block with a capacity of 780 hp, the latter is associated with an electric motor with a capacity of 220 hp.

Lamborghini boss Stefan Winkelmann also confirmed that the successor to the Aventador will be well equipped with a new version of the V12.