All the Difference Between V12 and V8 Engine | dubizzle (2024)

Fast acceleration is the major feature that attracts car enthusiasts. Acceleration of a vehicle is dependent upon a number of factors like body type, load capacity and others. Majorly it depends on the engine capacity of the vehicle. Generally, sports cars use vertical engines (V12 and V8). Though V12 and V8 primarily differ only on the basis of the cylinder, there are many subtle differences between these engines.

In this guide, we will elaborate on V12 Vs V8 in more detail.

Comparison Between V8 Engine and V12 Engine

The topic of V12 engine Vs V8 engine has long been discussed by car enthusiasts. Both the engines are used by leading car manufacturers in their supercars and are known for their performance. However, due to the change in the number of cylinders, there is a slight difference in engine efficiency.

We have mentioned all the details about specifications and performances of both the engines in the following headings.

Design

The anatomy of engines is different from each other, as they contain different numbers of cylinders at different angles. The cylinders are mounted at 90° generally, it can also be at 45°, 60° or 72°. Despite being on balanced angles it uses an additional balance shaft to reduce vibrations.

The V12 engine contains 12 cylinders (6 on each side) mounted on the crankcase. Unlike V8 engines, V12 cylinders can have a V angle of only 60°. Due to this, it does not require a balance shaft as there is only one angle.

All the Difference Between V12 and V8 Engine | dubizzle (1)

Size

Continuing the list of V12 Vs V8 engine, V8s are larger and heavier in size. One reason for this is that it contains heavyweight crankshaft balance to maintain the weight of cylinders. Furthermore, the complex crankshaft design for reducing vibrations increases the number of engine parts. Therefore, a V8 engine can weigh up to 200 kg depending upon the material used in it. However, due to a lesser number of cylinders, it is smaller in size on the contrary to V12 engines.

All the Difference Between V12 and V8 Engine | dubizzle (2)

In similar displacements, V12 engines are lighter than V8 engines. The presence of only one V angle excludes heavy balance shafts. The bore diameter is 95mm and the cylinder stroke is 76.5 mm which makes it only 848 mm wide (more than V8). However, it is heavier than a V8 engine and can weigh anywhere between 250 to 300 kg.

Efficiency

The efficiency of an engine depends on a number of factors like compression ratio, thermal efficiency and brake capacity. From a physical perspective, a V12 engine must be more efficient, as it contains a greater number of cylinders. In the following paragraphs, we have compared V8 and V12 engines on the basis of ideal parameters used to measure engine efficiency.

All the Difference Between V12 and V8 Engine | dubizzle (3)

The thermal efficiency of V8 engines is between 29% to 40%. In contrast, the thermal efficiency of a V12 engine can be 50%. However, the maximum brake power capacity of the V12 engine is 19,300 hp, and the V8 engine is 10,000 hp. The engine compression ratio of the V12 engine is 9.5:1, and the V8 engine is 13.7: 1.

Output

The output of the engine is measured on the basis of the torque and horsepower it produced. Torque is a rotational force that differs from horsepower. The maximum torque that can be generated by a V8 engine is 650 ft-lbs. Whereas the maximum horsepower is 707.

The V12 engines can generate a torque of 509 ft-lbs with a horsepower of 850.

Sound

Engine sound also matters for car enthusiasts. Discussing about V8 Vs V12 sound, V12 engines have a firing order from right to left pistons and a 90° crankshaft which makes less sound. On the contrary, the filing order in V8 engines has an irregular firing sequence which increases the sound. Therefore, V8 engines have a distinctive throbbing sound in comparison to V12 engines.

This was all about the V12 Vs V8 engines. Both the engines have their own configurations and power generation capabilities. If V8 engines are used in cars because of their compressed size, V12 are used because of their efficiency. If you want to experience these engines, browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE. We have also shortlisted some of the best models with V8 and V12 engines.

  • Buy used Lamborghini Aventador 2020 for sale in the UAE
  • Buy second-hand Mercedes-Benz AMG 2020 for sale in the UAE

Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on car engines.

All the Difference Between V12 and V8 Engine | dubizzle (2024)

FAQs

All the Difference Between V12 and V8 Engine | dubizzle? ›

The cylinders are mounted at 90° generally, it can also be at 45°, 60° or 72°. Despite being on balanced angles it uses an additional balance shaft to reduce vibrations. The V12 engine contains 12 cylinders (6 on each side) mounted on the crankcase. Unlike V8 engines, V12 cylinders can have a V angle of only 60°.

What is the difference between a V12 and a V8 engine? ›

Between V12 and V8, a V12 has two banks of six cylinders contrary to a V8 which has two banks of four cylinders. When comparing V6 and V10 engines, V10s have two banks of five cylinders while V6s have two banks of three cylinders.

What is the difference between a V12 engine and a normal engine? ›

The V12 have a 12 cylinder and 12 pistons, with six cylinders opposed to each other but shares a single crankshaft. The V8 is also have 8 cylinders and pistons, shaped four opposing four, with the same crankshaft. The V6 likewise is shaped opposing each other with six cylinders and pistons, three here, three there.

What is a V12 engine good for? ›

In automobiles, V12 engines are less common than engines with fewer cylinders, due to their size, complexity, and cost. They have been mostly used for expensive sports and luxury cars thanks to their power, smooth operation, and distinctive sound.

Which car has a V16 engine? ›

Bugatti Tourbillon's naturally-aspirated V16 was first teased in February 2024, however details of its engine were kept carefully under wraps. Cosworth can now reveal more technical insight into the hypercar's hybrid engine.

What engine is the fastest? ›

Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut (330 MPH)

It is the fastest car in the world right now. No other car has reached, surpassed, or even challenged the Jesko Absolut. It has a twin-turbocharged 5.0 liter V8 engine with an output of 1,600 HP on E85 fuel and 1,200 on regular gasoline and a torque of 1,106 pound-feet.

Is V8 or V12 faster? ›

When it comes to sheer power and acceleration, the V12 is second to none. With more cylinders contributing to combustion, the engine can generate significant power and torque, especially at higher RPMs.

What is the difference between a W12 and a V8? ›

A V8 has two rows of four cylinders that power the engine, whereas the W12 has four rows of three cylinders. Adding 4 cylinders can add more power, such as with the Bentley Continental GT V8 compared to the W12 version, where the V8 has 542 horsepower compared to the W12 with 626 horsepower.

Are V12 engines street legal? ›

Are V12 engines street legal? if they meet emissions standards, yes.

Are V12 engines reliable? ›

Some of the most common issues include oil leaks, coolant leaks, and vacuum leaks. In addition, Mercedes V12 engines are known for their high rate of wear and tear, which can lead to premature engine failure.

Which sounds better, V8 or V12? ›

Engine sound also matters for car enthusiasts. Discussing about V8 Vs V12 sound, V12 engines have a firing order from right to left pistons and a 90° crankshaft which makes less sound. On the contrary, the filing order in V8 engines has an irregular firing sequence which increases the sound.

Why is the V12 engine special? ›

Since the V12 engine uses two even sets of cylinders, it produces ample power with minimal noise and vibration. The perfect balance allows the V12 to rev higher and take in more air and fuel, increasing speed. The V12 also holds up better than other engines, even when tackling high speeds.

Why are V12 engines going away? ›

But times have changed in recent years due to the huge pressure placed on the world's automakers to dramatically decrease emissions. This has meant that V-12 cars, which are among the most inefficient models on the planet, have been targeted for extinction.

Is there a V24 engine? ›

A V24 engine is a 24-cylinder piston engine where two banks of twelve cylinders are arranged in a V configuration around a common crankshaft. The majority of V24 engines, however, have been "dual V12" engines where two separate V12 engines are placed in line with each other.

Are there V20 engines? ›

A V20 engine is a twenty-cylinder piston engine where two banks of ten cylinders are arranged in a V configuration around a common crankshaft. Large diesel V20 engines have been used in diesel locomotives, haul trucks, electric generators and marine applications.

Which car has the strongest engine? ›

Most powerful production cars
VehicleYearPower
Hennessey Venom F520221,355 kW (1,817 hp; 1,842 PS)
SSC Tuatara20221,305 kW (1,750 hp; 1,774 PS)
Koenigsegg Jesko20231,195 kW (1,603 hp; 1,625 PS)
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+/Centodieci2021/20221,176 kW (1,578 hp; 1,600 PS)
43 more rows

Is a W12 more powerful than a V8? ›

A V8 has two rows of four cylinders that power the engine, whereas the W12 has four rows of three cylinders. Adding 4 cylinders can add more power, such as with the Bentley Continental GT V8 compared to the W12 version, where the V8 has 542 horsepower compared to the W12 with 626 horsepower.

What does the V in V12 stand for? ›

But, you may wonder what the 'V' means in V6 and V8. The 'V' represents the way cylinders are arranged in your engine. V-type engines have cylinders placed in a V-like shape, or to put it the other way, in two equal rows. This design is commonly used since it requires less space and can fit in most cars.

What is the difference between a V8 and a V16? ›

In an V8 engine, 4 Valve's for intake systems and 4 Valves for Exhaust System. In an V16 Engine, 8 Valve's for intake system & 8 Valve's for Exhaust system.

What is faster V6 or V12? ›

A V6 cylinder turbocharged can produce a power output more than a V12. So only the engine capacity doesn't make any engine more powerful. Yes, it is the main chunk power house, but there are a lot of other factors.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6143

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.