best V12s

[tgr]

Who makes the best V12s - the Germans or the Italians?

Not counting Jaguar unless they still do one

It would be nice to own one one day... despite the crippling fuel bill that would entail

[whoami]

The British, of course.

[tgr]

I'm no expert: tell me more

[anonymous-user]

here you go:

[MJK 24]

A Lamborghini. On Carbs. Like this one:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_dD5_Q_wIOQ

[vournikas]

That's a broad church : "Best"

Best at what?

[tgr]

Sorry, should have said makes as in currently, present tense. So the Merlin is out, and Jag V12s also (unless they currently have one or are developing one)

Best at what? Perhaps we could give examples with their good and bad points relative to the competition? One of the aspects of a V12 is smoothness (allegedly, I have never experienced one) so balance, power, torque, sound, reliability, any other aspects which posters find relevant

[Olivera]

MJK 24 said:

A Lamborghini. On Carbs. Like this one:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_dD5_Q_wIOQ

Excellent. A favourite of mine is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJEROxhHdnk&li...

[AndyBrew]

ehum!!

[anonymous-user]

Olivera said:

MJK 24 said:

A Lamborghini. On Carbs. Like this one:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_dD5_Q_wIOQ

Excellent. A favourite of mine is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJEROxhHdnk&li...

Fantastic as they are, they don't count apparently. I say we just ignore the rules. Here's another from people with too much time on their hands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggEm-rfrw04

[spyder dryver]

More carburreted Lamborghini V12 madness...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LkQbVTWr4g

[anonymous-user]

AndyBrew said:

ehum!!

Is that made of Lego?

[aspirated]

Italians IMO

[vournikas]

A purely subjective choice, and the fact that I've never driven a V12 let alone owned one, would lead me to an Italian.

They've certainly got history with a V12 going back 60-odd years, what with Colombo and Bizzarrini designs powering the very earliest Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The latter seeing service (IIRC) from 400GT to Murcielago. Italian V12's always seem to sound awesome as well.

The exception, of course, is the AMG V12 fitted to Zondas which - to me - is the exception to a rule. German V12's seem to be about powerful refinement; Italian ones about power and noise.

[tgr]

Nice spot. Of course, Aston Martin. How does it compare to the Italian and German ones?

AMG would count as one of the best surely, based on the general standard of their engine building?

[lrs777]

For history, noise, volume and variety Italy piss all over the UK when it comes to V12 engines.
Definitely the definitive cylinder configuration though. Sound wise though a standard Jag v12 and standard Merc v12 and standard BMW V12 all sound pants next to any italian v12

[divetheworld]

AndyBrew said:

ehum!!

Agreed, or............

Edited by divetheworld on Friday 9th May 21:02

[steviegunn]

In cars:

1 - Colombo V12 (various Ferraris) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xJ6cVO_g9E

2 - Bizzarrini V12 (various Lamborghinis) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyj-DB_bpWs

In planes:

1 - Rolls Royce Merlin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EcCYA68m_w

[Jasandjules]

Think that Spitfire has the win.

[Chebble]

I can't believe that nobody has mentioned the BMW V12 in the McLaren F1 yet! Surely one of the greatest engines of all time, in terms of capability, resilience and of course, noise!