It goes without saying that in today’s age of downsized engines and hybridisation, V12 engines - already quite a rare configuration - are looking rather vulnerable.
Now it looks as though Mercedes-AMG is getting ready to drop the 12-cylinder performance cars from its line-up, although it’s not going to happen imminently.
Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers recently told
that the V12 engine will eventually be phased out from AMG.
This will spell the end of the 463kW SL65 and S65 AMG models, although these will at least stick around until the end of their current life cycles, the US publication reported. At this stage there is no word on whether there will be a new-generation G65 AMG as a last-hurrah for 12-cylinder AMGs, although this report certainly makes that seem less likely.
But this isn’t necessarily the end of the road for the 6-litre twin-turbo V12 as AMG will continue to produce it for Mercedes-Maybach models.
But what will replace the current V12 AMG monster models?
“At the top of our line-up, we will follow another path,” Tobias told Car and Driver.
Although he didn’t elaborate on what this path will entail, the logical assumption is that some of the 4-litre twin-turbo V8 models will be paired with an ‘EQ Boost’ hybrid system, similar to that featured in the new straight-six ‘53’ AMG models.