Aston Martin Says V12 Engine Will Stay Until 2026
Aston Martin exec states that they will continue to produce their V12 engine until European emissions regulations tighten up in the year 2026.
In a world of automakers turning to engines using fewer and fewer cylinders (and no cylinders, in some cases), we’re happy to see the likes of performance cars still using big engines. The more, the merrier, we say. However, we do understand the reasoning behind the downsizing. Efficiency is everything in this day and age, and, as fun as a V12 is, efficiency is certainly not a word often used to describe them. However, we’ll take what we can get while we can get it. Thankfully, Aston Martin is planning on keeping their V12 powerplants around for a few more years.
Not too long ago, Aston Martin was singing the tune of replacing all their high-performance cars with EVs. However, Car and Driver shed a beautiful shred of hope in our direction with recent news regarding the iconic brand’s V12 engines. They aren’t going anywhere! At least, not for a few more years. The best part? It came straight from the horse’s mouth.
The Source is Aston Martin’s CEO
In an online unveiling of the Aston Martin DBX707, CEO Tobias Moers answered the elephant in the room question about V12 production.
“Why should I get rid of the V-12 for the time being? The end of the life cycle for all these V-12s is the year 2026-2027,” Moers said in the unveiling.
The topic of the plans for V12 engines was especially hot after announcing that the new DBX707 will come with a twin-turbocharged AMG-sourced V8 engine. Don’t get us wrong, we love V8s too, but we can see where the concern is stemming from within this reveal. After all, it’s hard to beat the sound of a V12 engine. We’re all already struggling with the fact that they’re going away sooner or later. We don’t want it to be soon.
“The V-12 still has a bit of potential, and having the V12 Vantage shows there is still room for a V-12 in our sports car generation,” said Moers.
Stringent European Emissions Standards Will be the Death of the V12 engine
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. By the year 2026, emissions standards for vehicles in Europe will make high-performance internal combustion engines a struggle. Even under heavy acceleration, engines are expected to meet stringent regulations for emissions output. This all comes with a plan for Europe to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050.
While this is sad news, let’s focus on what we do know. Replacements for the Aston Martin DB11 and DBS are still slated to receive a V12 powerplant. The V12 Vantage also continues to warm our hearts with its big and loud engine. However, the DBX SUV is not going to receive the V12 engine, and, quite frankly, we’re pretty okay with that. Furthermore, Car and Driver points out that Lamborghini plans on using a hybrid version of a V12 engine to keep their iconic 12-cylinder engines on deck into the 2030s.
Photos: Aston Martin