- Mercedes-Possibly needs to ‘all the time provide the V12.’
- The brand new Maybach S680 for the USA has a 621-horsepower V12.
- The powertrain just isn’t out there in all markets on account of rules.
Automakers are doubling down on combustion engines. Regardless of the trouble to get customers to purchase electrical autos, folks can’t appear to stop gasoline. Some consumers are tougher to persuade than others, like those that need a Mercedes-Maybach.
Throughout a media roundtable for The Satan Wears Prada 2, Maybach boss Markus Bauer revealed, “it’s exhausting to persuade” somebody who needs a V12 to purchase a V8. The automaker continues to supply a V12 engine within the new Maybach S-Class, however it isn’t out there in each market on account of rules.
The dual-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine makes 621 horsepower within the S680, and it’s out there in the USA. “I am pleased that within the strongest V12 market, which is the US, we are able to proceed to promote the V12,” Bauer stated, in line with Road and Track, and it’s unlikely to vanish from Maybach’s lineup anytime quickly. He added:
“The V12 and Maybach go very properly collectively. Our ambition is all the time to supply the V12.”
Combustion Engine Revival
Within the final yr, quite a few automakers have pledged to maintain combustion engines round. Porsche stated simply over a month in the past that it’s going to maintain fuel engines round “far into the next decade.” Ferrari has promised to proceed constructing them, too, together with its V12.
Toyota, Bentley, and Audi have made related pledges. In June 2025, Mercedes-Benz introduced it might make a “course correction” and proceed constructing inside combustion engines longer than initially deliberate.
Volkswagen has hedged its bets, with its new EV platform able to supporting gasoline engines. Even Mini has deserted its plan to ditch the fuel engine as customers reject electrical autos.
Motor1’s Take: Maybach is aware of its prospects, and there’ll all the time be a subset of consumers who don’t need something lower than a V12 engine. It is good to know the powertrain shall be sticking round for some time.
