The V12 engine is one of the most powerful engines used in automobiles. It is known for generating higher horsepower and efficient function. Due to complex working processes and manufacturing costs, it is usually found in high-end cars. Luxury and sports cars were the first to use these engines on a wide scale.
In this guide, we have provided all the necessary details about the V12 engine.
Historical Development
V12 was developed for racing boats in 1903. Its initial uses were limited to boats, ships, aircraft and military vehicles. The earliest record of V12 engine usage is from 1913 when a custom-built car with a V12 engine participated in a race.
In 1936, Rolls-Royce Phantom III became the first critically acclaimed commercial car to use a V12 engine successfully.
A lot of other sports luxury brands followed suit. Due to higher horsepower, V12 engine horsepower became the foremost choice for Ferrari, Jaguar and Lamborghini, Mercedes-Maybach, etc. Almost all manufacturers who use V12 have their own modified versions of the 12 cylinder configuration.
Anatomy of V12 Engine
It is a V-shaped engine with 12 cylinders (6 on each side) placed at the top of the crankcase. The difference between cylinders is 60°, with all the pistons working on a similar crankshaft. The cylinder bank of each side is 6, therefore the engine is automatically balanced regardless of the V angle. Therefore, a balance shaft is generally not required.
V12 engines are capable of generating and maintaining smooth energy flow due to the firing order. It fires on every 60° rotation of the crankshaft. With crankpins, the firing intervals become 60°, 120° and 180°.
Working of V12 Engine
V12 engines contain 12 pistons equally divided into two halves. The working principle of V12 is similar to any four-stroke petrol or diesel combustion engine. The whole working of an engine depends on the piston cycle. The piston moves downwards to collect air and fuel mixture.
Once the mixture is filled in the cylinder in which the piston is fixed, the piston compresses and moves upward. When the piston is completely up, the spark plug ignites the mixture and forces the piston to move downwards and complete a cycle. In a V12 engine, this cycle is happening in 6 different cylinders at different times, instead of all the pistons working at the same time. Therefore, the power delivery of V12 engines is smooth. The firing order of V2 engines varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the general order is 1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10. From this order and number of cylinders you can estimate just how big is a V12 engine.
V12 Biturbo Engine
The V12 Biturbo engines are similar to V12 engines but are equipped with additional turbochargers which compress the air intake. Twin charges are mounted on manifolds, each on one side to generate more pressure per square inch (PSI). These turbochargers are connected to the cylinder and work together to create more energy. Therefore, these engines are more efficient and generate less stress on the engine. This is one of the reason that Abu Dhabi and Dubai police car fleet include many cars having V12 and V12 Biturbo engines.
Future of V12 Engine
Environmental concerns have shifted the general focus towards alternatives such as electric or biofuel engines. However, many market-leading car manufacturers like Lamborghini still prefer this engine for their luxurious and sports cars. The engine not only delivers speed but also a smoother drive, which makes it a preferable choice for the luxury sports category.
If you are interested in experiencing the power of V12 engines, take a look at these used cars for sale in the UAE. You can also browse through, some of the best cars with the V12 engines are mentioned below:
- Ferrari 812 GTS 2021 for sale in the UAE
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2021 for sale in the UAE
- Lamborghini Aventador 2021 for sale in the UAE
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on car engines.
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