2011 Aston Martin Virage

[Slash]

What I don't understand is why you would use a V12 engine when you can easily get V8s that make the same power, and same liter size and good components. Just doesn't make sense to me. Then, the car wouldn't be as heavy and would likely perform better.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Ever heard Aston Martin's V12?

 

[Zenith]

What I don't understand is why you would use a V12 engine when you can easily get V8s that make the same power, and same liter size and good components. Just doesn't make sense to me. Then, the car wouldn't be as heavy and would likely perform better.

-V12's (usually) have the best balance
-Higher revs
-Smoother
-Sound (To some, this is subjective of course)
-Packaging. A V12 is probably easier to fit under the hood of an Aston than a V8 of comparable displacement.

Not everything is about horsepower bragging rights, especially for a GT car like an Aston.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Wait weren't v8s used for their compactness vs a v10 and v12?

Putting in an engine with more cylinders for compactness doesn't add up.

 

[Zenith]

Wait weren't v8s used for their compactness vs a v10 and v12?

Putting in an engine with more cylinders for compactness doesn't add up.

Yes, but not in every application. Take the following with a grain of salt, I'm not an expert.

V8's work well in most cars because thier proportions fit the engine bays. Not too long, not too wide.

For long cars like a Lamborghini Murcielago or an Aston Martin DBS however, a long engine V12 has less issues with packaging. With a V12 you have less displacement per cylinder so the shape of the whole thing changes to be longer and slimmer.

Of course, I've never put a V12 into a car so if someone knows better, please correct me.

 

[Slash]

-V12's (usually) have the best balance
-Higher revs
-Smoother
-Sound (To some, this is subjective of course)
-Packaging. A V12 is probably easier to fit under the hood of an Aston than a V8 of comparable displacement.

Not everything is about horsepower bragging rights, especially for a GT car like an Aston.

True, but not on the sound. Nothing beats a the sound of a fat juicy pushrod V8.

 

[McLaren]

What I don't understand is why you would use a V12 engine when you can easily get V8s that make the same power, and same liter size and good components. Just doesn't make sense to me. Then, the car wouldn't be as heavy and would likely perform better.

Because the V8 & a more nimble Aston was already built.

 

[Grand Prix]

True, but not on the sound. Nothing beats a the sound of a fat juicy pushrod V8.

Again, subjective. One can like examples of every engine configuration, in the same way one can enjoy songs from every genre of music. I like pushrod V8s and carburetted V12s, but I also like the sound of the Stratos V6, several Jaguar and BMW Straight 6s, etc. The Auto Union V16 and BRM V16 are also quite beastly. Then there's the Mercedes supercharged Straight 8s too.

If supercar and grand tourer manufacturers were after speed and efficiently only, they would just put in a twin-turbo V6 of some sort. In fact, Jaguar tried that once, with the XJ220. It was very fast, only problem was, for that car, everyone that ordered one was expecting a V12 engine in it... And the McLaren F1 came out a year later, shattering its speed record.

Point being, people buy these cars for a combination of factors. If people want V8 powered GT cars, they already exist. Some people just prefer the smoothness and melody of Straight 6 and V12 engines.