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Mercedes keeps its V12 option alive in markets where rules allow
As the automotive industry accelerates toward battery-electric vehicles, stricter emissions, fuel economy and noise rules are steadily reshaping the landscape. Mercedes-Benz AG has publicly embraced an electric future, but Stuttgart’s luxury marque is also preparing to preserve its thirsty V12 engines — where law permits.
Regulatory context: Euro 7 and what changes
Mercedes chief technology officer Markus Schaefer told Autocar that the company’s long-serving twin‑turbo V12 can be adapted to comply with the forthcoming Euro 7 rules. Euro 7 takes effect on November 29, 2026, and becomes mandatory for all new light-duty vehicles in the EU on November 29, 2027. The new standard tightens several limits beyond exhaust emissions: it introduces non-exhaust particle considerations from brakes and tires and lowers the regulated particle size for gasoline engines from 23 nanometers to 10 nanometers. The regulations also add durability and capacity requirements for electric-vehicle batteries.
Which Mercedes models could keep the V12?
Schaefer didn’t lay out the engineering changes or list specific lineups that will retain the V12, but current usage points to the M279 V12 staying in the flagship range. Autocar notes that the M279 is exclusive to the Maybach S 680 and also powers the S 680 GUARD 4MATIC.
Armored protection and pricing
The S 680 GUARD 4MATIC is Mercedes’ top civilian ballistic offering: its VPAM VR10 rating exceeds B7 protection levels, meaning the armored Sonderklasse can resist 7.62×54mmR rifle rounds and even two DM51 grenade blasts. When launched, the GUARD variant listed for €547,400, while the Maybach S 680 starts at €231,881. In the United States the Maybach S 680 is offered as a 2026 model from $244,400 before destination, taxes and options — a reminder that a factory-new V12 is now a true luxury purchase.
Engine specifications and performance
Despite its relatively old-school single-overhead-cam layout with three valves per cylinder, the M279 twin‑turbo V12 delivers prodigious output: 621 horsepower and 664 lb‑ft (900 Nm) in standard trim. The armored GUARD version is slightly detuned to about 603 hp and 612 lb‑ft (830 Nm). These figures keep Mercedes competitive among other V12-powered offerings from Ferrari, Rolls‑Royce, Aston Martin (Vanquish), Lamborghini (Revuelto), Gordon Murray’s limited supercars, and the Pagani Utopia.
Technical challenges to meet Euro 7
Upgrading a V12 to meet Euro 7 is not trivial. It will likely mean advanced gasoline particulate filters, tight control of combustion and secondary systems to reduce ultrafine particles, improved aftertreatment calibration, and careful attention to non-exhaust sources like brake and tire wear. Mercedes has not revealed its engineering path, but the company’s statement indicates they see compliance as feasible for selective markets.
Design and market positioning
V12 engines are as much about status and refinement as raw performance. Maybach’s S 680 positions the V12 as a statement of supreme luxury — a smooth, effortless powerplant for limousine customers who demand the quiet authority and exclusivity that only a multi‑cylinder flagship can provide. The GUARD model adds purpose-built security for clients requiring ballistic protection without sacrificing the ride quality and opulence of a high-end sedan.
Comparisons and the broader V12 landscape
Today, a new V12 is increasingly rare and expensive — $244,400 is one of the most accessible entry points into a brand-new V12 car. Boutique and exotic makers continue to push the envelope: Danish maker Zenvo is preparing a quad‑turbo V12 developed with Magle that reportedly produces 1,233 hp at 8,000 rpm. Meanwhile, established marques keep the V12 alive in halo models that cater to collectors and ultra-luxury buyers.
What this means for buyers and enthusiasts
For buyers in regions where Euro 7 or equivalent standards do not ban such engines, Mercedes’ confirmation is good news: the V12 will live on beyond 2030 in select markets. Enthusiasts can expect continued availability of the M279 in Maybach and GUARD derivatives, preservation of the V12’s unique character, and ongoing competition from exotic brands that continue to innovate in high-displacement, high-output powertrains.
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