In the late 1990s, Volkswagen was looking for a way to create a powerful and unique engine that would set their vehicles apart from the competition. The solution they came up with was the W12. This innovative engine consisted of two narrow-angle VR6 engines that were fused at an angle.

The result was an extremely powerful engine that could generate a tremendous amount of torque. However, the W12 also had some drawbacks. It was notoriously difficult to service, and it often vibrated excessively, making for a less than a smooth ride.

Nevertheless, the VW W12 was a revolutionary engine that helped to put Volkswagen on the map as a leading manufacturer of high-performance cars.

In this article we are going to discuss the different vehicles that offered this massive, and unique engine!

1. Audi A8 (2001) 

The 2001 Audi A8 was a work of engineering brilliance. It was the first production car to ever have a W12 engine (VW also had a mid-engine concept car call the Volkswagen W12), and it was a true monster of a machine. With 6.0 liters of displacement and all-wheel drive, the A8 had plenty of power on tap.

And thanks to its advanced suspension, it could handle like a dream. Unfortunately, the A8 was also very expensive, and it didn’t sell very well. But for those lucky few who were able to get their hands on one, it was a truly special car.

Of course, there were plenty of other variants of the A8 that did quite well, however the added cost of the W16 just didn’t quite work out.

2. Bentley Bentayga (2015 – Current)

On the outside, the 2015 and on Bentley Bentayga has all the grace and power one would expect from a Bentley. But pop the hood, and you’ll find a beast of a different nature: the W12 engine. This powerhouse provides an impressive 600 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful and fastest SUVs on the market today.

Not only does it have the strength to tow over 7,000 pounds, but it can also reach top speeds of 187 miles per hour. In other words, this is one SUV that lives up to its name. Whether you’re taking it off-road or just cruising down the highway, the Bentley Bentayga is an incredible vehicle.

The Bentayga is actually one of my personal favorite vehicles that have the W12 engine, as it has been depreciating quickly, resulting in this being a Bentley that many people could afford to buy. It also has all of the capability you would want from an SUV, just with an incredible amount of luxury.

3. Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005 – Current)

If you’re looking for a ride that’s sure to turn heads, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is the car for you. This luxurious vehicle comes with all the bells and whistles, including a powerful W12 engine.

The Flying Spur is Bentley’s flagship sedan, and it’s easy to see why – it’s both stylish and practical, with plenty of space for passengers and luggage. Whether you’re driving to the office or hitting the open road, the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is sure to make your journey a comfortable one.

The Flying Spur is a great option for those people that want to have a crazy amount of luxury, but also want to be able to daily drive their car, instead of being driven in their car.

4. Bentley Continental GT (2003 – Current)

Bentley Motors has been known for luxury and performance since its founding in 1919. The Bentley Continental GT is a grand tourer that lives up to the Bentley name. It was first introduced in 2003 and has been in production ever since. It is powered by a W12 engine, which is a unique configuration that Bentley pioneered.

The W12 engine has two banks of six cylinders arranged in a V shape, with each bank offset. This layout allows for a compact engine that delivers excellent power and performance. Bentley continues to use the W12 engine in its latest models, indicating that it is a tried and true recipe for success. Thanks to the Bentley Continental GT, Bentley continues to be a leader in the luxury automotive market.

The Continental GT was revolutionary for the brand when it was released, as it was both luxurious, but also sporty. This was something that Bentley had never done before, but has now been spread throughout their lineup.

5. Spyker C12 La Turbie (2006) 

You wouldn’t be to blame, if you had never heard of Spyker, much less this vehicle! However Spyker created the La Turbie in 2006 with the W12 from VW as the heart of the vehicle. In this application, it pushed out 500hp, and had a top speed of 202mph. You were able to row the gears with a six speed transmission.

Unfortunately, this vehicle, and the one we are about to talk about, were both cancelled not soon after release, and not many were made.

6. Spyker C12 Zagato (2008)

The Spyker C12 Zagato is a work of art. From the outside, it’s a sleek and stylish supercar that commands attention. But it’s what’s under the hood that really sets this car apart. The C12 Zagato is powered by a W12 engine, which is a unique configuration that combines the best of both worlds.

It delivers incredible power and torque, while also providing excellent fuel economy. In addition, the W12 engine provides exceptionally smooth acceleration.

This was the other car by Spyker, with the first car being the La Turbie we discussed above! Much like the La Turbie, the Zagato was not built for very long, and very few were built.

7. Volkswagen Phaeton W12 (2004 – 2011) 

Volkswagen’s top-of-the-line sedan from 2004 to 2011 was the Volkswagen Phaeton W12. As its name implies, the Volkswagen Phaeton W12 had a W12 engine. This unique engine configuration consisted of twobanks of six cylinders, arranged in a V-shape, with each bank having its own crankshaft.

The Volkswagen Phaeton W12 was available in both a standard and long-wheelbase version, and it came with a host of luxury features. While the Volkswagen Phaeton W12 was discontinued after the 2011 model year, it remains an impressive example of Volkswagen’s engineering prowess.

8. Volkswagen Touareg W12 (2005 – 2010) 

The Volkswagen Touareg W12 is a workhorse of an SUV. It’s comfortable, efficient, and stylish all at the same time. But what really sets it apart from the competition is its engine.

The W12 engine is a Volkswagen exclusive, and it provides the Touareg with plenty of power and torque. It’s a great choice for those who need an SUV that can tow and haul heavy loads.

And with its all-wheel drive system, the Touareg can tackle any terrain. So if you’re in the market for an SUV that can do it all, then the Volkswagen Touareg W12 should be at the top of your list.

How was the W12 engine made?

The W12 engine is a fascinating piece of machinery.ey figure out how to make an engine with 12 cylinders in a W configuration. By joining two VR6 engines at the crankshaft, they were able to create an engine with an incredible amount of power. However, the W12 engine is not without its drawbacks.

The main problem is that it is very difficult to balance the engine, due to the uneven firing order. As a result, W12 engines are usually only found in high-end luxury cars where buyers are willing to pay for the increased performance.

Is a W12 engine better than V12?

W12 engines have been around for nearly a century, and they offer a number of advantages over their V12 counterparts. For one, W12 engines are more compact, which makes them ideal for use in small vehicles. Additionally, W12 engines tend to be more fuel-efficient than V12 engines, due to their smaller displacement and lower number of cylinders.

Finally, W12 engines typically produce less exhaust emissions than V12 engines, making them more environmentally friendly. While W12 engines do have some disadvantages (such as higher manufacturing costs), they are generally considered to be superior to V12 engines in terms of performance and efficiency.

What cars have a W16 engine?

VW didn’t stop at the W12 engine, no, they also created a W16 engine as well, with a similar setup to the W12. W16 engines are typically found in high-end sports cars and luxury vehicles. A W16 engine has 16 cylinders arranged in 4 banks of 4. This configuration provides a smoother ride and increased power.

W16 engines are often used in racing cars, and they are also found in a few select production vehicles. The Bugatti Veyron and Chiron are examples of cars that is powered by a W16 engine. This engine produces an astonishing 1,000 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful W16 engines ever made.

Conclusion

The W12 engine is an impressive piece of machinery. It’s compact, efficient, and powerful. But what sets it apart from the competition is its unique configuration. So if you’re in the market for a high-end luxury car, then the W12 engine should be on your radar.