Luxury car buyers may be hearing more about electrification every year, but when it comes to ultra-premium sedans, the appetite for massive combustion engines is far from over. Mercedes-Maybach has now made that crystal clear.
During a recent media interaction, Maybach executives confirmed that the iconic V12 engine is not disappearing anytime soon from the brand’s flagship lineup. In fact, the company says demand for the 12-cylinder powertrain remains especially strong in the United States, which continues to be Maybach’s biggest V12 market globally.
The statement arrives at a time when several global automakers are quietly slowing down their aggressive EV-only timelines and rethinking how quickly customers are willing to abandon gasoline engines.
Maybach Customers Still Want the V12 Experience
According to Maybach boss Markus Bauer, convincing traditional luxury buyers to move from a V12 to a smaller V8 remains a challenge. Buyers spending top dollar on ultra-luxury sedans still associate refinement, silence, effortless performance, and prestige with a 12-cylinder engine.
The current Mercedes-Maybach S680 uses a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 621 horsepower. While tightening emission norms have forced Mercedes-Benz to withdraw the V12 from several global markets, the engine continues to survive in select regions, including the United States.
Bauer reportedly stated that the brand’s ambition is to continue offering a V12 because “the V12 and Maybach go very well together.” That sentence alone signals how emotionally important the engine remains for the company’s identity.
For wealthy luxury buyers, the V12 is no longer just about speed. It represents exclusivity. In an automotive world increasingly filled with silent electric SUVs, the smoothness and character of a handcrafted V12 have become a rare status symbol.
The Combustion Engine Isn’t Dead Yet
Maybach’s position reflects a larger industry-wide shift currently unfolding across the automotive sector.
Over the past year, several major manufacturers have softened earlier commitments to become fully electric within this decade. Porsche recently confirmed that combustion engines will remain part of its lineup well into the 2030s. Ferrari has also reiterated that its future will continue to include petrol-powered performance cars, including V12 models.
Even brands that aggressively promoted electrification are adjusting course. Audi, Bentley, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Mini have all indicated that internal combustion engines will continue playing a significant role for longer than initially planned.
Mercedes-Benz itself announced a strategic “course correction” in 2025, acknowledging that global EV adoption has not accelerated at the pace many companies originally predicted.
Why Luxury Buyers Are Holding Back on EVs
The hesitation toward fully electric luxury cars comes down to more than charging infrastructure. Buyers in the ultra-luxury segment often value emotional appeal over efficiency figures.
A V12 engine delivers something EVs still struggle to replicate: theatre. The sound, vibration, power delivery, and engineering complexity create an experience that feels mechanical, alive, and deeply premium.
For many Maybach owners, replacing that experience with a silent battery-powered drivetrain feels less like progress and more like a compromise.
At the same time, luxury manufacturers understand that wealthy customers are less affected by rising fuel costs or environmental taxes. That gives brands like Maybach more flexibility to preserve iconic engines while balancing broader electrification goals elsewhere in their portfolios.
A Future Where Both Worlds Coexist
The automotive industry is increasingly moving toward a mixed future rather than an all-electric one. Electric vehicles will continue growing rapidly, especially in urban markets, but combustion engines, particularly in luxury and performance segments, are proving far more resilient than expected.
And for now, the V12 Maybach remains very much alive.
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