7 Wild V-12-Powered Prototypes and One-Offs That Almost Rewrote Car History
Key takeaways
- These largely secret, 12-cylinder-powered dream machines came close to achieving automotive glory.
- If you dig deep enough into automotive history, you’ll quickly discover that a surprising number of automakers stuffed V-12 engines inside some very unexpected vehicles.
- Here’s a look at seven of our favorite secret V-12 prototypes and other one-off models, and our take on how they could have changed the automotive world if they’d been allowed to enter production.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
These largely secret, 12-cylinder-powered dream machines came close to achieving automotive glory.
If you dig deep enough into automotive history, you’ll quickly discover that a surprising number of automakers stuffed V-12 engines inside some very unexpected vehicles. Sometimes, this was for research purposes as companies pushed the limits of technology. Others were convinced that more cylinders was the answer to the highest possible levels of performance. Then there are the outliers, cars that were built by brands or individuals responding to a very specific need that, seemingly, only a V-12 could satisfy.
Here’s a look at seven of our favorite secret V-12 prototypes and other one-off models, and our take on how they could have changed the automotive world if they’d been allowed to enter production.