It seems that Mercedes does not let go of his flagship twelve cylinder engine without a fight. At the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich at the beginning of this month, the German car manufacturer officially did it: the V12 stays in production until at least 2030. This announcement, since most luxury car manufacturers, including Mercedes issues, continues to scale the internal combustion engines in order to correspond to stricter rules. However, Mercedes has decided that one of the remaining few V12S worldwide will still wear a three -point star, as was confirmed in a recent interview with AutoCar UK
When we look back on Mercedes’ story with the V12 and limousines, it extends over three decades to 1991 when the W140 S-Class introduced the 6.0-liter M120. Later families such as the (M275), its (M285) models and the updated (M279) models such as Maybach 57 and 62, the AMG S 65, CL 65 Coupé, SL 65 Black and G 65 and later Maybach S -Class flagships. For decades, the Signature V12 has been the highlight of the line -up, a clear marker for ultimate luxury and prestige.
Today is the only Mercedes model with a V12 of the Maybach S 680. Under the bonnet there is a 6.0-liter twin turbo shop V12 with 621 hp and 664 pound foot torque, paired with 4matic all-wheel drive. In the United States, it contains a sticker price of $ 244,400 and is therefore one of the most suitable new twelve-cylinder sedans that are offered for sale.
Compare this with a Rolls-Royce spirit that starts at around $ 350,000, or with a Bentley Flying Speed Speed W12, which presses 300,000 US dollars in front of options, and at this level the price of the Maybach looks almost reserved, although it still delivers the refinement and exclusion that you can expect from a V12 flagship. Now fully optional versions can approach $ 290,000, but that remains far below the multimillion dollar hypercars, which also wear twelve cylinders.
Mercedes-AMG naturally also delivers the V12 engine to Pagani and keeps the tool alive for boutique supercar manufacturers. Better, in the Pagani, the V12 with a manual transmission, an extremely niche format intelligent.
However, the real challenge in the future of the 12-cylinder engine has to do with regulation. Europe’s Euro 7 rules will come into force at the end of 2026, and Mercedes still has to say how the V12 will adhere to. The European Commission has promoted its review of the 2035-ZULL emission goal by the end of 2025, which will decide whether Europe is liable to the end of the sale of combustion cars.
The EV acceptance in the EU is currently lower than expected. The proposals discussed include a new category for small, affordable electric vehicles and the detection of carbon neutral such as e-fuel and biofuels, which could make it possible to remain part of the mix, including hybrids and plug-ins. For a company like Mercedes-Benz, The The regulatory uncertainty could determine whether its V12 in Europe survives beyond 2030 or is limited to regions such as the USA, the Middle East and China.
While Markus Schäfer, CTO, AutoCar shared that the engine remains in production, it has not exchanged any details about shift changes, hybrid integration or emission loans. The most likely solution is therefore a form of electrification, either a mild hybrid or plug-in system, to extend the lifespan of the engine and at the same time improve efficiency.
Bugatti, for example, withdrew the Piëch era W16, which was hired in Veyron and Chiron, and has found a way to keep a sixteen cylinder in the new V16 tourbillon thanks to electrification and RIMACS technical input. Mercedes’ approach to the V12 could Be similar: Find a way to modernize without losing the aura of a engine that has defined the top luxury level for decades.
Pictures: Mercedes-Benz
