There is something very special about a V12 engine, and it’s not just the sheer performance they can offer. While a V8 rumbles and a V10 howls, a V12 positively sings. They are sadly a dying breed these days due to emissions regulations, but they leave quite a legacy.
Here are 10 of the best sounding V12 cars ever.
McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is a true legend of the automotive world. Designed by F1 boffin Gordon Murray, this incredible piece of engineering features a naturally aspirated V12 built by BMW.
A little-known fact is that the McLaren F1 was nearly powered by a V12 supplied by Isuzu.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Small but mighty! When Aston Martin shoehorned its naturally aspirated V12 into the little Vantage body, something very special was created. Arguably the greatest modern Aston, it has the soundtrack to match those handsome looks.
Maserati MC12 Corsa
We could have chosen the Ferrari Enzo for this spot as the Maserati MC12 uses the same unit. However, the Maserati’s engine has a greater focus on motorsport and so is arguably the more purebred engine. Either way, it sounds incredible.
The road-legal MC12s were something of a formality in order to meet GT1 homologation rules.
Lamborghini Miura
Frequently touted as the world’s first true supercar, the Lamborghini Miura was the car that stunned the world when launched in 1966. Its glorious V12 engine actually lived on for decades with small alterations making it eligible for newer models.
The first Miura show car lacked an engine because engineers couldn’t get the V12 to fit the night before.
Ferrari 250 GTO
Ferrari’s famed Columbo engine is the stuff of legend. It’s the foundation for Ferrari’s front-engined V12 history, and a motor that sounds incredible in the process. Pure Italian music.
Aston Martin Vulcan
Hosting a 7.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine designed for the track, this is one of the most beastly machines on this list. The Aston Martin Vulcan might be restricted to the track, but that also means it doesn’t have to silence itself to comply with the rules of the road.
Pagani Zonda
When Pagani hit the scene, there were doubts as to its longevity – the supercar game can be cruel. However, its bombastic machines lived on and today are still powered by a V12 AMG engine.
Ferrari 412 T2
The very last Ferrari F1 car to be powered by a V12 engine, the 412 T2 of 1995 was music to the ears of many motorsport fans. It wasn’t super successful in terms of victories, but its amazing sound won it many fans.
Jaguar XJR-9
A true Group C Le Mans legend. The Jaguar XJR-9 is powered by a 7.0-litre V12 engine that rocketed this racer along the Mulsanne Straight at a blistering pace. Its aerodynamic body is impressive, but that sound even more so.
Lamborghini SCV12
The Lamborghini SCV12 is the Italian marque’s final ‘pure’ V12 engined car. Being a track-only model it can shout as loud as it likes, and believe us, it does just that.
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Keyword: Top 10 V12 engine sounds