The Matra V12 engine is arguably the best-sounding V12 ever made.
Ferrari's V12 engines have produced some of the most iconic motor sounds, from roadgoing models such as the Ferrari 812 Superfast to Scuderia Ferrari F1 cars. But in the sea of engineering marvels, could the Prancing Horse's V12 be considered the best sounding among the rest?
YouTube channel VisioRacer shared the story of the French company Matra, which joined the motorsports scene as Matra Racing in 1965. The racing team had brought out a contender in the V12 conversation with the 3.0-liter MS9. Designed by French engineer Georges Martin, the all-aluminum engine produced 390 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque.
Despite the V12 screaming sound, the MS9 didn't perform as expected in Formula 1 due to factors such as high fuel consumption, insufficient power, and reliability issues.
When British F1 driver Sir Jackie Steward opted to use a Ford-Cosworth DFV in 1969, Matra won both the drivers' and constructors' championship titles, a first for the French company.
Matra didn't give up on its engine program, later developing an upgraded version called the MS12. Taking inspiration from the engine configurations of Cosworth, the MS12 carried over most of the MS9 design including the block and crankshaft.
The cylinder head got the most significant changes, enabling the engine to produce equal power levels as Cosworth at 10,000 rpm. As a result, the V12 was able to deliver 450 hp at 11,000 rpm (a 60 hp increase) and 253 lb-ft of torque at 8,000 rpm.
However, the racing team only scored five podiums and three fastest laps between the 1970-1972 F1 seasons.
Matra also took its screaming V12 engine to the endurance racing scene, with the team securing its first 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in the MS670 in 1972. Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo were victorious in P1, followed by teammates Francois Cevert and Howden Ganley in P2. In the following two years, the team bagged two drivers’ and constructors’ championship titles.
Specs-wise, the MS670 was powered by an MS73 V12 engine good for 480 hp, enabling a top speed of 199 mph at the Mulsanne Straight.
It was at the end of the 1974 season when Matra Racing announced its retirement from the sport. The racing program may have not carried on but Matra left us with a piece of engineering that could still be heard for the years to come. Does it sound better than a Ferrari? The answer will always be subjective so you be the judge.
Keyword: Listen To This V12 Engine That Sounds Better Than A Ferrari