Mercedes-Benz ends V12 engine in Europe, updates V8 for S-Class
Mercedes-Benz stops V12 engine production in Europe because of strict environmental rules like Euro 7. New V8 offers 603 hp, while V12 remains in US, China, and other markets.
Mercedes-Benz is discontinuing its V12 engine in Europe and several other markets due to increasingly strict environmental regulations, including the upcoming Euro 7 standard.
The 6.0-liter M279 engine, previously featured in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, will be replaced in Europe by an updated V8 producing 603 horsepower. This new V8 offers comparable performance to the outgoing V12.
This change will also affect countries that follow European certification standards, such as Norway, Iceland, and India. However, the V12 will remain available in key markets including the United States, China, South Korea, and the Middle East.
In the U.S. version, the V12 delivers 621 horsepower and 900 Nm of torque, outperforming the V8. Despite this difference, Mercedes will use the S680 model name across all versions.
The phase-out of V12 engines reflects broader industry trends toward stricter emissions requirements. By 2026, such engines will have become rare even among top-tier luxury vehicles.