Mercedes-Maybach Boss: Buyers Want V12 Engines

Automakers are doubling down on combustion engines. Despite the effort to get consumers to buy electric vehicles, people can’t seem to quit gasoline. Some buyers are harder to convince than others, like those who want a Mercedes-Maybach.  

During a media roundtable for The Devil Wears Prada 2, Maybach boss Markus Bauer revealed, “it’s hard to convince” someone who wants a V12 to buy a V8. The automaker continues to offer a V12 engine in the new Maybach S-Class, but it is not available in every market due to regulations.  

The twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine makes 621 horsepower in the S680, and it is available in the United States. “I’m happy that in the strongest V12 market, which is the US, we can continue to sell the V12,” Bauer said, according to Road and Track, and it’s unlikely to disappear from Maybach’s lineup anytime soon. He added:  

“The V12 and Maybach go very well together. Our ambition is always to offer the V12.”  

Combustion Engine Revival

In the last year, numerous automakers have pledged to keep combustion engines around. Porsche said just over a month ago that it will keep gas engines around “far into the next decade.” Ferrari has promised to continue building them, too, including its V12.  

Toyota, Bentley, and Audi have made similar pledges. In June 2025, Mercedes-Benz announced it would make a “course correction” and continue building internal combustion engines longer than initially planned.  

Volkswagen has hedged its bets, with its new EV platform capable of supporting gasoline engines. Even Mini has abandoned its plan to ditch the gas engine as consumers reject electric vehicles.  

Motor1’s Take: Maybach knows its customers, and there will always be a subset of buyers who don’t want anything less than a V12 engine. It’s nice to know the powertrain will be sticking around for a while.