The Announced End of Thermal V12s: What to Do in 2026?

For a century, the naturally aspirated V12 engine embodied the ultimate achievement of high-end automotive engineering. Twelve cylinders in a V configuration, a silky rev range, an inimitable sound, patrimonial prestige. From the Ferrari 250 GTO to the Lamborghini Miura, from the Aston Martin DB5 to the BMW 7 Series V12, this engine defined what an exceptional car was.

In 2026, the thermal V12 has entered its final phase. Manufacturers’ official announcements, European Euro 7 emissions standards, and the transition to electrification make the gradual disappearance of the V12 inevitable. Not tomorrow morning, but within a 5 to 10 year horizon depending on the brand.

Here is the complete state of play, the models still available, and the questions every enthusiast is asking in 2026.

Why the Thermal V12 Is Disappearing

Several factors are converging to make the survival of the naturally aspirated V12 increasingly difficult:

European Euro 7 emissions standards (coming into force progressively 2025-2027). CO₂ and pollutant limits far stricter than Euro 6 standards, particularly difficult to meet for large-displacement engines.

CAFE regulation (Corporate Average Fuel Economy), which imposes an average emissions figure across a manufacturer’s entire range. A manufacturer that sells V12s must offset this with very low-emission models (electric or hybrid), which makes the equation difficult.

Development and certification cost. Keeping a V12 engine compliant with modern standards costs hundreds of millions of euros. Without sufficient volume, the return on investment becomes impossible.

Shifting demand. Part of the premium clientele is moving toward electrification (Porsche Taycan, the upcoming Lamborghini Lanzador), shrinking the potential market for the pure thermal V12.

Societal pressure and brand image. Maintaining a thermal V12 is progressively becoming a political statement in certain parts of the world, something many manufacturers would rather avoid.

The V12 is not disappearing out of any lack of goodwill from the brands. It is disappearing through regulatory and economic arithmetic.

State of Play by Brand in 2026

Each premium manufacturer has taken its own direction on the V12. Here is the map for 2026.

Ferrari: The Naturally Aspirated V12 Preserved Until Further Notice

Ferrari is the manufacturer holding out the longest on the pure naturally aspirated V12. The brand has explicitly declared its attachment to this emblematic engine.

Ferrari 12Cilindri (launched in 2024): 6.5 L naturally aspirated V12, 830 hp at 9,500 rpm. Successor to the 812 Superfast, it proves that Ferrari is still investing in the naturally aspirated V12. No hybridisation, no turbo  the naturally aspirated format preserved.

Ferrari Daytona SP3 (very limited production, 599 units): 6.5 L naturally aspirated V12, 840 hp. Icona edition celebrating Ferrari’s heritage. All units allocated.

Ferrari’s commitment: the brand has stated it wants to keep the naturally aspirated V12 for as long as regulations allow. The 12Cilindri could be the last generation of a purely naturally aspirated Ferrari V12, although nothing is confirmed beyond that.

Lamborghini: The V12 Hybridised, No More Pure Naturally Aspirated

Lamborghini has already taken the step with the Revuelto (2023), the first plug-in hybrid V12 Lamborghini.

Lamborghini Revuelto : 6.5 L naturally aspirated V12 (preserved) + 3 electric motors. 1,015 hp combined. The V12 remains, but is now assisted by electrification.

Lamborghini’s commitment : the brand has confirmed its entire range will be hybrid from 2025 onward, and that no new 100% thermal V12 will be developed. The Aventador (production stopped at the end of 2022) remains the last purely naturally aspirated V12 Lamborghini.

Aston Martin: The V12 in Limited Production

Aston Martin keeps V12s in its current range, but as limited series rather than mass production.

Aston Martin Valour (110 units, 2023): 5.2 L twin-turbo V12, 715 hp, manual gearbox. A tribute to Aston’s historic manual V12s. All units allocated.

Aston Martin Valiant (very limited edition associated with Fernando Alonso): twin-turbo V12, track-focused philosophy.

Aston Martin’s commitment : current focus on the V12 as a limited edition, with the main range gradually transitioning to hybrid V8 and electrification. The brand’s future is being written around the V8 and electric power.

Rolls-Royce and Bentley: The V12 Soon to Be Replaced

Rolls-Royce has already ended V12 production on the Wraith, Dawn and Phantom Coupé. The electric Spectre is progressively replacing the V12 models.

Bentley stopped production of the W12 in 2023 (not strictly a V12, but its equivalent in the Bentley range) in favour of V8 and hybrid power.

BMW, Mercedes: The V12 Already Gone

BMW stopped its V12 in 2022 with the end of the M760Li. Mercedes stopped its V12 in 2021. German V12s now belong to history.

The Last 5 Naturally Aspirated V12s Still Produced in 2026

For enthusiasts who want to experience a naturally aspirated V12 before it disappears, here are the models still available or recently produced:

1. Ferrari 12Cilindri (2024) 6.5 L naturally aspirated V12, 830 hp. Currently in production.
2. Ferrari Daytona SP3 (20222024) 6.5 L naturally aspirated V12, 840 hp. Production ended, secondary market only.
3. Aston Martin Valour (2023) 5.2 L twin-turbo V12, 715 hp, manual. All units allocated.
4. Lamborghini Revuelto (2023) 6.5 L naturally aspirated hybridised V12, 1,015 hp combined. Currently in production.
5. Pagani Utopia (2022) 6.0 L twin-turbo AMG V12, 864 hp, manual gearbox available. Currently in production but ultra-limited.

To these can be added recently used V12s (Aventador, 812 Superfast, DBS Superleggera, Vanquish), available on the secondary market.

Should You Buy a Thermal V12 Before It Disappears?

This is the question that comes up most often among enthusiasts in 2026. Our analysis:

The Case for Buying (a Wealth-Preservation Rationale)

Historic V12s have always held or gained value over time. A Ferrari F12berlinetta, a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, a manual Aston Martin Vanquish are valued today in a stable or rising manner.

The planned scarcity of thermal V12s could reinforce this trend over the next 10 years. Models produced in 2024-2026 (12Cilindri, Revuelto, Valour) are therefore serious candidates for capital appreciation.

The Case Against Buying (a Usage Rationale)

All the economic arguments against owning a supercar apply here: initial depreciation, V12 maintenance costs (services running to several thousand CHF), high insurance, capital tied up.

Moreover, buying for wealth preservation means keeping the car for a long time (typically 10+ years) without driving it much which considerably reduces the pleasure of actually using it.

Our Recommendation

For a wealth-focused collector with significant means, selectively buying an emblematic V12 (12Cilindri, Revuelto, or established used models such as the 599 GTB, the F12berlinetta, the Aventador SVJ) can make sense.

For a driving enthusiast who simply wants to experience a naturally aspirated V12, a car subscription remains the most rational formula: enjoy the experience for several months, without bearing the wealth risks of ownership.

Experience the V12 on Subscription with Nuvero

Several emblematic V12s may be available in the Nuvero fleet, depending on availability. This is probably the best way in 2026 to experience a naturally aspirated V12: fully enjoying the car for a few months, without committing to 10 years of ownership.

And After the V12? The Future of Supercars

The naturally aspirated V12 is disappearing, but supercars are not. The technological transition offers several possible futures:

Plug-in hybrid V8 : the formula adopted by Ferrari (296 GTB, SF90 Stradale), McLaren (Artura), and Aston Martin (Valhalla). Performance preserved, emissions reduced, partial electric range.

Plug-in hybrid V12 : the path followed by Lamborghini (Revuelto). The V12 preserved, but electrically assisted. A compromise between tradition and modernity.

100% electric supercars : Rimac Nevera, Lotus Evija, Pininfarina Battista, Mercedes-AMG EQXX, and future models announced by Lamborghini (Lanzador) and Porsche (Mission). Exceptional performance (0-100 in under 2 seconds), a radically different sensory experience.

Hydrogen combustion : an experimental path pursued by Toyota and certain niche brands. Not yet mature, but potentially the true long-term alternative to thermal power.

The future is probably not just one of these paths, but a coexistence of several technologies depending on use cases and customer profiles.

FAQ: The End of Thermal V12s

When will the thermal V12 truly disappear?

There is no precise date, but production will gradually decline between 2030 and 2035 depending on the brand. Ferrari will probably be the last to keep pure naturally aspirated V12s.

Are there still naturally aspirated V12s in 2026?

Yes the Ferrari 12Cilindri is still in production with a naturally aspirated V12. The Lamborghini Revuelto retains a naturally aspirated V12 (hybridised).

Does a hybrid V12 sound like a pure V12?

Yes, in essence, though with a few nuances. The V12 sound remains, but it can be occasionally modulated by the electric system depending on the mode. The experience remains very close to that of a pure naturally aspirated V12.

Should you buy a V12 before the end of production as an investment?

Possibly, but with discernment. Emblematic models (Ferrari Daytona SP3, 12Cilindri, Aston Martin Valour) have strong wealth-preservation potential. More accessible models are less certain.

Can you drive a V12 daily in Switzerland?

Yes, with no legal restriction. High fuel consumption (15-25 L/100 km in normal use) remains the main practical constraint. There are no low-emission zones (LEZ) in Switzerland to date.

Which historic V12s would you recommend for a first wealth-preservation purchase?

Ferrari 575M Maranello, Ferrari 599 GTB, Lamborghini Murciélago, Aston Martin DB9 or DBS, Mercedes SLR McLaren : historic V12s with accessible valuations and excellent long-term value retention.

Conclusion: The End of the V12 Is Not the End of the Thrill

The gradual disappearance of the thermal V12 marks the end of a historic era in the automobile. But it also opens up a fascinating period: one in which experiencing a naturally aspirated V12 becomes a rare and precious experience, and where hybrid and then electric supercars redefine mechanical pleasure.

More than ever, the car subscription makes perfect sense: enjoy the last thermal V12s for a few months, without committing to 10 years of owning a technology at the end of its cycle.

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