Report: Mercedes Benz to phase out V12 engine

[Bartek S.]

The push by governments around the world for stricter emissions regulations for new cars has all carmakers, from mainstream makes like Toyota and GM all the way up to exclusive brands like Mercedes Benz and even Ferrari working on new methods to clean up their act. One trend we’ve already started to see is the downsizing of engines. Both Ford and GM, for example, are starting to place less emphasis on their big V8 engines in favor of more economical V6 engines, and this trend is being repeated at BMW and Mercedes Benz.

Mercedes is developing new technologies to boost the output of its compact four-cylinder engine range – the Diesotto being the most recent development.

While the Diesotto sits at the lower end of the engine spectrum, Autobild is reporting that Mercedes has cancelled plans for a future V12 engine codenamed M295 and will instead develop a new twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant. The M295 would have replaced the current M275 family of V12s but instead Mercedes will launch two new turbocharged V8s, with four different power levels.

From:motorauthority

 

[modena_360stradale]

from:motorauthority

NOOOOOOO!

Instead of having 6 Liter V12's, why don't they go back to the 3 and 4 Liter variety? For instance, Maserati's 450S had a 4.5 Liter V8 and pumped out 400 horsepower in the 1950's. Granted that may have been on alcohol fuels, but imagine what might be possible now.

 

[Tarek]

MB is just incomplete without V12s,i just can't imagine MB without'em!

 

[Gullwing]

MB is just incomplete without V12s,i just can't imagine MB without'em!

What did you do in the 80s????

 

[Wunderkind]

What did you do in the 80s????

But the M295 V12 engine is ready for use. All the development work is done.

The economics of the V12 is better now as there will now be 5,000-6,000 Aston Martin V12 cars on top of the 1,500-2,000 V12 Mercedes/Maybach sold annually. The Pagani numbers are insignificant.

It feels a lot like 1993 right now. The economy suck and calls for greener cars are gathering momentum. But I think we will see a V12 at the end of the day. BMW will launch their new V12 engine soon and Mercedes will follow. BMW and Mercedes are mortal enemies and best friends at the same time.

 

[LaArtist]

shait..i hate this news..
but MB wont be without a V12..they will probably keep this one going ..
as it is still in output better than the rivals..

so i belive the option will still be there..for those with deeeeep pockets..
but its sad that we wont see the new V12..which would have been a gem

on the other hand..those V8´s sound very interesting

 

[siko]

I don't like this either... I would have opted for smaller for efficient V12 instead of abandoning them.

 

[Monster]

I thought MB has cylinder de-activation system on the V12 back when it was launched in 1998 ? Not sure what happened to this afterwards. If they have deleted this feature, they can bring it back, and tell the government and all those environmental hippies that it is a V6.

 

[hannaz]

MB, please never stop the V12s. As mentioned above the economy of producing V12 will be optimised when Aston & Maybach use the same ones. So always be the topper with the V12.

 

[Gullwing]

I thought MB has cylinder de-activation system on the V12 back when it was launched in 1998 ? Not sure what happened to this afterwards. If they have deleted this feature, they can bring it back, and tell the government and all those environmental hippies that it is a V6.

That system is gone, you probably wont find any car with that system operating anymore.
The system would deactivate the valves for one bank. When this happend the cylinders would still be running up and down. The change in pressure would cause oil to be sucked into the cylinders and coat the spark plugs. The spark plugs would not fire after that. Big problems, check engine light, new plugs, wire boots, ignition rail... $$$$

Not sure how the Dodge system works.

 

[Monster]

That system is gone, you probably wont find any car with that system operating anymore.
The system would deactivate the valves for one bank. When this happend the cylinders would still be running up and down. The change in pressure would cause oil to be sucked into the cylinders and coat the spark plugs. The spark plugs would not fire after that. Big problems, check engine light, new plugs, wire boots, ignition rail... $$$$

Not sure how the Dodge system works.

Interesting info.

Honda has something similar as well with their current V6 engine.

 

[Tarek]

What did you do in the 80s????

Lol

I was so young back then,knows nothing yet

 

[cawimmer430]

I'm going to miss that silky-smooth V12.

But the replacement, a twin-turbo V8, sounds interesting, but it still is not a V12 and will never be. A V12 is all about status. You make more of an impact telling people that you drive a V12-powered car.

 

[cawimmer430]

Lol

I was so young back then,knows nothing yet

What Gullwing wants to say is that the first post-war Mercedes passenger car V12 debuted in the W140 S-Class in 1990. Prior to that the only V12-engine Mercedes ever produced was the DB-601 - 605 aircraft engine found in planes like the Messerschmitt BF-109 / 110 and Heinkel He-111 during World War II.

 

[Tarek]

^I know but V12s just got so associated with MB that one can't accept the brand without it

 

[cawimmer430]

^I know but V12s just got so associated with MB that one can't accept the brand without it

Especially if Lexus comes out with one.

 

[tennmb]

I've got an owner right now with one of those "awesome" V12 in the shop with a $4,500 repair, and he just had a $3,000 repair. And now his trade value on his 01 S600 with 75k miles is $9,000. Bye bye V12 and good ridance. So his repairs barely equate to the value of the car.

Five years down the road the V12s are a liability and dealers hate trading for them.

 

[SDNR]

Aha -- remember this thread

http://www.germancarforum.com/pit-g...b-bmw-v12-engines.html?highlight=V12+mercedes

Well I'm not very surprised ......everything is changing very fast right now.

 

[Cashmere]

rough times.....and this is only the beginning. I think we should expect much more bad news in the coming months.

 

[bmwownage]

Yes the Honda Accord V6 can shut cylinders down when you don't "need" them, basically most of the time, unless full throttle, the dash will show you that it is running in ECO mode, meaning some cylinders are shut down. I don't know how effective that is in terms of economy, but that car feels sluggish (power-wise), not sure whether it's because of the system.

But what's wrong with not having a V12? technology moves on and if 8cylinders can do the job of 12, why not?