The V12 used to be the ultimate flex. It was an engine that separated the real exotics from everything else. Decades ago, it was the heartbeat of the world’s greatest supercars and ultra-luxury cruisers. But times have changed. Stricter emissions laws and the push toward electrification have put the V12 on life support, with most brands downsizing to turbocharged V8s or ditching combustion altogether.
Still, the legend isn’t dead yet. A select few manufacturers are keeping it alive. One of them is one of the world’s most prestigious luxury car brands, and still uses the V12 in the classic way we all know. Another is one of Italy’s most beloved supercar manufacturers, and it has paired it up with modern powertrain technology to create an absolute monster.
All the cars on this list are production cars you can currently order brand-new in 2025. All specs are from the manufacturer’s claims, unless otherwise stated.
There aren’t many cars that are more controversial than the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. A lot of people still find the idea that Rolls-Royce could make an SUV absolutely abhorrent. Even the ones who don’t mind the idea of a Rolls SUV will also point out that it looks ugly. While the design may be an acquired taste, one thing that is cool about the Cullinan is that it’s one of the only SUVs on the market to have a V12.
The Cullinan uses the same 6.75-liter V12 as the rest of Rolls-Royce’s ICE-powered models. This produces 563 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque in the standard version, and 591 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque in the Black Badge higher-performance version. Both versions have all the opulence that you’d expect from a Rolls-Royce. That includes a lot of personalisation options, ranging from having your own name or logo embossed into the seats up to incredibly unique services through the coachbuilt division.
The second out of three Rolls-Royces on this list, the latest version of the Phantom is another car that’s keeping that traditional V12-powered Rolls-Royce luxury alive. The 6.75-liter V12 produces the same power as the Cullinan (563 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque in the standard Phantom, and 591 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque if you go for the Black Badge). It’s as sumptuously-equipped as any Rolls-Royce should be, and its design is definitely a lot less controversial than the Cullinan’s! It can also be almost limitlessly personalised, with true VIP customers being able to access the benefits of the coachbuilt division just like in the Cullinan.
The third (and final!) Rolls-Royce here, the Ghost is the ‘baby’ of the brand. A smaller and more affordable (affordable is a relative term here) luxury sedan but barely any less opulent, it’s powered by the same 6.75-liter V12 as the rest of the ICE-powered Rolls-Royces, and has exactly the same power output. It’s also possibly the best-looking of all the Rolls-Royce models, with smoother and less controversial lines than its siblings. It also has some very advanced tech for a traditional luxury car. This includes a system that optimizes its transmission and comfort levels according to real-world data. It gets this through scanning the road ahead of it, and referring to GPS data that it gets in real time.
Mercedes-Benz has been a prime player in the luxury sedan market since it pretty much existed. That especially became the case once the S-Class was introduced to the world. The S-Class has set the standard by which all other luxury sedans are judged, and the Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic is the absolute pinnacle of that in today’s range. This is one of only two Mercedes-Benz models you can get that’s powered by a V12 now. It’s a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter unit, producing 603 bhp and 664 lb-ft of torque. That gives it a 0-62 time of 4.5 seconds, and a limited top speed of 155 mph.
As you might expect from such a luxurious and exclusive car, it’s had several special editions. One of them was designed in conjunction with the late Virgil Abloh, and featured unique touches that were added with his input. This model was also exclusively sold to artists and celebrities, with customers who got them including Alicia Keys (gifted to her by her husband Swizz Beats) and Lewis Hamilton.
The only other Mercedes-Benz model you can get that has a V12 is one that’s reserved for its highest-profile clients. This is the S680 Guard 4Matic, and it’s the only car on this list specifically designed to be armored! That means you’ll only ever see these being used by heads of state, A-list celebrities, and super-wealthy corporate executives. It has the same engine and power output as the Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic (603 bhp), but in the S680 Guard 4Matic, it has slightly less torque (612 lb-ft).
Mercedes-Benz doesn’t officially state any performance data for the S680 Guard 4Matic. But, it’s likely to be fairly similar to what the Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic is able to achieve.
The second SUV on this list, the Ferrari Purosangue is also one that’s been very controversial with enthusiasts. The thought of a Ferrari SUV just seems to be too much for many of them to comprehend. But the market for performance SUVs is incredibly strong, and no other one in that market will offer you a V12!
That V12 in question is a 6.5-liter unit that produces 715 hp and 528 lb-ft of torque. That’s good enough for a 0-62 time of 3.3 seconds, and a top speed of 193 mph. Those figures make it easily one of the fastest SUVs you can buy today. Plus, with that V12 engine up front, it sounds absolutely amazing.
Ferrari definitely seems adamant to keep the V12 going. As the Purosangue’s shown, Ferrari was very much insistent in offering a V12 in its first-ever SUV. While that may be a bit of a break from Ferrari’s traditions, the 12 Cilindri is a continuation of the front-engined V12 models that have helped the brand become famous. The successor to the brilliant 812 Superfast, the 12 Cilindri is powered by another variant of the same 6.5-liter V12 that’s in the Purosangue. This version of the V12 produces 819 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, giving it a 0-62 time of just 2.9 seconds. Interestingly, it’s also the first Ferrari grand tourer to not feature any analogue gauges.
There was a point where it looked like Aston Martin would completely abandon the V12. The Vantage and DB12 both do not have a V12 option in their current generations certainly made that seem like a possibility. But, it’s made several special-edition models over the years that have used a V12, and there’s now also a regular production model that has kept it firmly in the Aston Martin lineup. This is the latest version of the Vanquish. It’s powered by a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 that produces 824 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. That makes it the second most powerful V12-powered production car you can buy right now! It’s also the fastest series-production Aston Martin ever. It has a 0-62 time of 3.3 seconds, and can go on to a top speed of 214 mph.
If there’s any manufacturer that’s known for having outrageous V12-powered supercars, it’s Lamborghini. The V12 has been the centrepiece of Lamborghini’s identity since the very start, and Lamborghini wasn’t about to let it die with the advance of emissions regulations and electrification. Instead of fighting against new technology, Lamborghini decided to work with it. It kept the V12 alive by making it part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The 6.5-liter engine was paired with 3 electric motors, producing a combined output of 1,001 hp and 783 lb-ft of torque. That makes the Revuelto the most powerful V12-engined production car you can currently buy, and gives it absolutely monstrous performance. It has a 0-62 time of just 2.5 seconds, it tops out at 217 mph and has one of the best engine noises of any supercar currently on the market.
Sources: Aston Martin, Ferrari, Instagram (@highsnobiety, @therealswizz), Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce
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