As even BMW moves to cull its V12 engine, we pay tribute to the mightiest cylinder layout...
and went to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the very first time as well. The latter was three firsts rolled into one, as it was also the first time I drove an Aston Martin and experienced a V12.was also built in 2015, so it seems fitting for this Six of the Best. It may not be the fastest or most dramatic V12 on this list, but our choices are almost always driven by nostalgia, and that LM weekend with a V12 Vantage S will always be one of my favourite memories from PH.
It was, no doubt about it, a cool car. The centrally placed exhaust, the sleek nose , the four headlights staring at you like some sort of creepy crawly. And, of course, that wonderful 7.3-litre Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 engine, with 555hp. I could keep waxing lyrical about what a poster-child the Zonda was, but, perhaps unsurprisingly, there aren't any listed in the PistonHeads classifieds, and that is the name of the game for this task. Damn.
For now, some history. Beginning its life with the significant disadvantage of being the successor to the captivating E-Type, the XJ-S was immediately criticised for not being an E-Type. Pundits baulked at the styling, particularly the 'flying buttresses', as well as its voracious thirst. Concerns, however, were soon allayed, as the motoring community came to appreciate the refined power, comfortable road feel, and the luxurious setting you got with this true grand tourer.