Automakers have proven themselves more than capable of coming up with creative solutions to high-revving, large displacement, naturally aspirated engines. For example, Ferrari has already replaced its naturally aspirated V8 for an even more powerful twin-turbo V8. Lamborghini will soon be adding a hybrid system to its V12, which, impressively, will remain naturally aspirated.
Obviously, this is all done for the sake of meeting emissions standards. As for Aston Martin, its NA V12 has also already been swapped out in favor of a twin-turbo V12, but its new AMG-sourced twin-turbo V8, as some may argue, is the better engine. Does this mean that twin-turbo V12 doesn’t have a future? Nope.
Autocar reports that Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer has gone on record in an interview saying the company’s V12 very much has a future. Like Lamborghini, Aston Martin will hybridize the engine. “We see a path that enables us to conform with CAFE regulations [US fuel economy standards] with hybridization,” he said. “The idea was to priorities keeping the V12, which we think is the beating heart of the company, and offset it with a pure electric version. But as that’s matured, you see this application of hybridization instead.”
We already know the Aventador successor will feature a hybridized V12, and now that Aston Martin is planning to do the same for its future flagships could possibly represent the start of an industry trend among supercar brands. Now, some may continue to argue that only a naturally aspirated V12 will suffice, but Palmer has some words for those purists: “A purist might argue that it’s better naturally aspirated or not hybridized,” Palmer said. “But nevertheless, 12 cylinders is 12 cylinders.” We couldn’t agree more.
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