• News
      • Appointments
      • EV Powertrain
      • Emissions
      • Engine Components
      • Electronics
      • Facility Developments
      • Forced Induction
      • Fuel Cell Technologies
      • Fuels & Lubricants
      • Heavy-duty & Diesel Engine Technologies
      • Hybrid Powertrain Technologies
      • Industry Forecasting
      • Legislation
      • Materials & Surface Treatment
      • Metallurgy
      • Mild-hybrid & 48V Technologies
      • New powertrain
      • Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions
      • Quality Control
      • Prototyping
      • Sustainable fuels
      • Testing
      • Traction Control Systems
      • Transmissions Technologies
      • Webinars
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March 2025
    • January 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Subscribe to Automotive Powertrain Technology
    • Transmission Technology International
    • Subscribe to Transmission Technology
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Autonomous Vehicle
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Automotive Powertrain Technology International
  • News
      • Appointments
      • EV Powertrain
      • Emissions
      • Engine Components
      • Electronics
      • Facility Developments
      • Forced Induction
      • Fuel Cell Technologies
      • Fuels & Lubricants
      • Heavy-duty & Diesel Engine Technologies
      • Hybrid Powertrain Technologies
      • Industry Forecasting
      • Legislation
      • Materials & Surface Treatment
      • Metallurgy
      • Mild-hybrid & 48V Technologies
      • New powertrain
      • Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions
      • Quality Control
      • Prototyping
      • Sustainable fuels
      • Testing
      • Traction Control Systems
      • Transmissions Technologies
      • Webinars
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. January 2025
    3. September 2024
    4. June 2024
    5. Subscribe to Automotive Powertrain Technology
    6. Transmission Technology International
    7. Subscribe to Transmission Technology
    Featured

    In this Issue – March 2025

    By Lawrence ButcherMarch 27, 2025
    Recent

    In this Issue – March 2025

    March 27, 2025

    In this Issue – January 2025

    December 9, 2024

    In this Issue – September 2024

    September 26, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Automotive Powertrain Technology International
Features

Lamborghini’s first V12

Lawrence ButcherBy Lawrence ButcherMay 20, 20214 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Share
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Lamborghini this week joined the string of manufacturers currently outlining their approaches to decarbonizing their vehicle fleets. True to the style of the exuberant Italian marque, not for them a bland title like Aston Martin’s Project Horizon or VW’s Accelerate. It has opted for ‘Direzione Cor Tauri’, which translates as ‘Toward Cor Tauri’, in reference to the brightest star in the Taurus constellation.

The company has laid out a three-stage process leading to 2030, which will see the steady electrification of its range, via PHEVs to BEVs. The reality is that any pure EV Lamborghini will inevitably be based on the same platform as Audi and Porsche’s offerings – the e-tron and Taycan. This is a shame because, at its very inception as a car manufacturer, Lamborghini pushed the boundaries of road-car powertrains.

Thankfully, when outlining its new direction the company said that the next couple of years will be a celebration of the IC engine, and the Sant’Agata marque has much to celebrate in its back catalog.

When Ferruccio Lamborghini first set out to produce a GT car in the mid-1960s, he drew on the talents of a trio of engineers: Giampaolo Dallara, Paolo Stanzani and Giotto Bizzarrini. Anyone with a knowledge of motorsport over the last 50 years will instantly recognize at least two of these names, with the first having gone on to found one of the most successful race-car constructors in the world.

However, it was Bizzarrini who laid the foundations of an engine that would become synonymous with Lamborghini: the quad-cam V12. When he joined Lamborghini, he had already designed a diminutive, short-stroke, four-cam V12 engine for Ferrari, which was to have been used in the 1.5-liter Grand Prix formula, but never raced. Lamborghini asked if Bizzarrini could enlarge the design to three liters, matching Ferrari’s then-current offering (and one-upping it, as Maranello’s engine was still only a twin cam). Bizzarrini apparently replied, “I’ll make it bigger and more powerful”, and even agreed to not receive payment until his confidence was proved on the dyno.

Giotto Bizzarrini (left) with Ferruccio Lamborghini (center) and Gian Paolo Dallara (right) in 1963.

The result, which ran for the first time in May 1963, was a V12 displacing just shy of 3.5 liters, producing up to 370bhp at a heady (for the period) 9,500rpm. Sporting a 60° bank angle, it featured two valves per cylinder and a pair of chain-driven cams on each cylinder bank. Advanced for its time, its cast-alloy crankcase housed a seven-bearing billet-steel crank, supporting forged-steel rods and light alloy forged pistons. Induction was via vertically mounted, 36mm Weber carburetors – as was standard racing practice for the day – and power was transferred to the road through a 5-speed synchromesh transmission coupled to a limited-slip differential on the rear axle.

With the race-bred prototype completed, Bizzarrini left Lamborghini’s employment and production of components began. Though it was every inch a racing engine, Lamborghini had no intention of entering motorsport, viewing cars of the time that did double duty on track and road as compromised. This approach would stick with the company through its many changes of ownership, and it never embraced competition in the way its fellow Italian brands did.

The initial, raw V12 did appear in the first Lamborghini produced, the 350 GTV, but the car was unrefined and met with a less than enthusiastic welcome at the 1963 Turin motor show. The entire package needed fettling, and so it was, reappearing five months later as the 350 GT.

The task of calming the engine was given to Dallara. Out went the dry sump lubrication system, and side-draft 40mm Webers replaced the downdraft units (the move to a wet sump raised the engine height, necessitating this change to accommodate an air cleaner assembly). Other detail changes included moving the distributors to a more accessible location and, notably, the compression ratio was dropped from 11 to 9.5:1. In detuned form, the V12 was rated at 270bhp and the revised 350 GT, when it debuted in 1964 at Geneva, proved an instant hit.

That original V12 would go through a host of evolutions over the years, eventually growing to 6.5 liters and well over 650bhp, but the underlying architecture would remain unchanged for nearly 50 years. It was only usurped under VAG’s ownership and distant relatives of Bizzarrini’s V12 were still rolling out of the factory in 2010.

Lamborghini does indeed have much to celebrate when it comes to IC engines. Flamboyant tag lines aside, I would be mightily surprised if whatever electric platform underpins its first EV model is anywhere near as long lived as that first V12.

Share. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Related Posts

GaN: The next frontier

February 27, 2025

Tech Insider: VAG EA888 Evo 5

December 30, 2024

Tech Insider: Bugatti Cosworth V16

December 28, 2024
LATEST NEWS

CATL releases trio of battery technologies

April 24, 2025

Toyota invests US$88m in hybrid transaxle assembly line at West Virginia plant

April 24, 2025

Next-gen Honda fuel cell module to make North America debut

April 24, 2025

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • ÖVK (Austrian Society of Automotive Engineers)
Featured Listings
  • Wattalps
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us
  • Download Media Pack
  • Meet the Editors
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Related UKi Topics
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Testing
  • Autonomous Vehicle
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice and Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by