The W12 is without a doubt one of the most fascinating engines known to man. It looks like it shouldn't work, and yet gives models like the Bentley Flying Spur its soul. Volkswagen today unveiled a brand new W12 engine, which wears the TSI badge, complies with the latest emissions standards and brings class-leading fuel economy.
Photo: Volkswagen
Unless we're mistaken, the W12 has never worn the TSI badge. Audi's A8 L W12 is naturally aspirated, while Bentley doesn't use that Germanic nomenclature. If VW is getting its hands dirty, that can only mean the next Phaeton will be something very special.
The 6-liter W12 TSI is also quite the monster. It delivers 608 PS (6,000 rpm) and a maximum torque of 900 Nm (1,500 - 4,500 rpm). The fastest model to be equipped with this mill will get from 0 to 100 km/h in less than four seconds.
That's not all, as the technological elements used make the new W12 TSI the most economical twelve-cylinder engine in the luxury car segment. CO2 emissions according to the NEDC are less than 250 g/km. We can compare that to the 299 grams of the BMW 760i or the 268 grams of the Mercedes S60 Long and see that VW's claims are correct.
The Germans aren't telling us everything, but what they did let slip is very interesting. For example, as part of the improvements, two combustion methods that have been used in parallel on the W12 up till now – Audi's FSI direct injection and Bentley's TMPI multi-point injection – were combined.
The cylinder bores received APS coating, and the oil circuit is suitable for off-road use with a switchable oil pump. That means the Bentayga will use it.
For efficiency, they used a cooling system with integrated temperature management, plus dual fuel injection with high pressure direct and low-pressure manifold injection
Volkswagen engineers fitted the W12 TSI with twin-scroll biturbo charging, cylinder bank deactivation (the left one), as well as a start/stop system that reduces fuel consumption and emissions.
To better control the car movement while cornering, adaptive engine mounts, such as the ones used by Porsche, were introduced.
We believe these more advanced features will be reserved for the next generation of Bentley Continental GT, not the Phaeton or Audi A8. This coupe will come out in 2017, rumored to be based on a shorter version of Porsche's MSB platform (for the Panamera).
The 6-liter W12 TSI is also quite the monster. It delivers 608 PS (6,000 rpm) and a maximum torque of 900 Nm (1,500 - 4,500 rpm). The fastest model to be equipped with this mill will get from 0 to 100 km/h in less than four seconds.
That's not all, as the technological elements used make the new W12 TSI the most economical twelve-cylinder engine in the luxury car segment. CO2 emissions according to the NEDC are less than 250 g/km. We can compare that to the 299 grams of the BMW 760i or the 268 grams of the Mercedes S60 Long and see that VW's claims are correct.
The Germans aren't telling us everything, but what they did let slip is very interesting. For example, as part of the improvements, two combustion methods that have been used in parallel on the W12 up till now – Audi's FSI direct injection and Bentley's TMPI multi-point injection – were combined.
The cylinder bores received APS coating, and the oil circuit is suitable for off-road use with a switchable oil pump. That means the Bentayga will use it.
For efficiency, they used a cooling system with integrated temperature management, plus dual fuel injection with high pressure direct and low-pressure manifold injection
The extra tech
Volkswagen engineers fitted the W12 TSI with twin-scroll biturbo charging, cylinder bank deactivation (the left one), as well as a start/stop system that reduces fuel consumption and emissions.
To better control the car movement while cornering, adaptive engine mounts, such as the ones used by Porsche, were introduced.
We believe these more advanced features will be reserved for the next generation of Bentley Continental GT, not the Phaeton or Audi A8. This coupe will come out in 2017, rumored to be based on a shorter version of Porsche's MSB platform (for the Panamera).
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