Lamborghini V12 Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Lamborghini V12
From left to right: Giotto Bizzarrini, Ferruccio Lamborghini and Gian Paolo Dallara at Sant'Agata Bolognese in 1963, with a Lamborghini V12 engine prototype.
Overview
Manufacturer	Lamborghini
Production	1963-2011
Layout
Configuration	60° V12 petrol engine
Displacement	3.5: 3,465 cc (211.4 cu in), 3.9: 3,929 cc (239.8 cu in), 4.8: 4,754 cc (290.1 cu in), 5.2: 5,167 cc (315.3 cu in), 5.7: 5,707 cc (348.3 cu in), 6.0: 5,992 cc (365.7 cu in), 6.2: 6,192 cc (377.9 cu in), 6.5: 6,496 cc (396.4 cu in), 2nd gen 6.5: 6,498 cc (396.5 cu in)
Cylinder bore	3.5: 77.0 mm (3.03 in) 6.2: 87.0 mm (3.43 in) 6.5: 88.0 mm (3.46 in) 2nd gen 6.5: 95.0 mm (3.74 in)
Piston stroke	3.5: 62.0 mm (2.44 in) 6.2: 86.8 mm (3.42 in) 6.5: 89.0 mm (3.50 in) 2nd gen 6.5: 76.4 mm (3.01 in)
Block material	Cast aluminium alloy
Head material	Cast aluminium alloy
Valvetrain	double overhead camshaft, 3.5/4.0/4.8: 2-valves per cyl, 5.2/5.7/6.0/6.2/6.5: 4-valves per cyl
Compression ratio	6.2: 11.6:1 6.5: 11.1:1 2nd gen 6.5: 11.8:1
Combustion
Fuel system	3.5/3.9/4.8/5.2: 6 Weber carburettors, 5.7/6.0/6.2/6.5: electronic multi-point sequential fuel injection
Fuel type	Petrol/Gasoline
Oil system	3.5/3.9: wet sump, 6.2/6.5: dry sump
Cooling system	Water-cooled
Output
Power output	3.5: 273.7 PS (201.3 kW; 270.0 bhp) 6.2: 580 PS (427 kW; 572 bhp) at 7,500 rpm 6.5: 640 PS (471 kW; 631 bhp) at 7,500 rpm 2nd gen 6.5: 700 PS (515 kW; 690 bhp) at 8250 rpm
Specific power	3.5: 79.1 PS (58.2 kW; 78.0 bhp) per litre 6.2: 93.7 PS (68.9 kW; 92.4 bhp) per litre 6.5: 98.5 PS (72.4 kW; 97.2 bhp) per litre
Torque output	6.2: 650 N⋅m (479 lbf⋅ft) at 5,500 rpm 6.5: 660 N⋅m (487 lbf⋅ft) at 5,200 rpm 2nd gen 6.5: 690 N⋅m (509 lbf⋅ft) at 5,500 rpm
Dimensions
Dry weight	253 kg (6.5 litres)/235 kg (2nd gen 6.5)
Chronology
Successor	Lamborghini V12 L539

The Lamborghini V12 is a very powerful V12 petrol engine that was built by the famous car company Lamborghini. It was the first engine ever made by Lamborghini. This amazing engine was used in many of Lamborghini's most famous sports cars for nearly 50 years, from 1963 to 2011.

The first car to use this engine was the Lamborghini 350GT. The V12 engine helped Lamborghini cars become known for their incredible speed and performance.

What is a V12 Engine?
- Why 12 Cylinders?
The Start of the Lamborghini V12
- Designing a Legend
How the Lamborghini V12 Works
- Fuel System Evolution
- Valves and Cooling
Different Versions Over Time
- Engine Size and Power
Where the V12 Engine Was Used
Images for kids
See also

What is a V12 Engine?

A V12 engine is a type of internal combustion engine. It has 12 cylinders arranged in two rows, forming a "V" shape. Each row has six cylinders. This design helps the engine run very smoothly and produce a lot of power.

Why 12 Cylinders?

More cylinders mean more power strokes, which makes the engine run more smoothly. It also allows the engine to produce a lot of power, which is perfect for high-performance sports cars like Lamborghinis. The "60 degree" in its description means the two rows of cylinders are angled 60 degrees apart.

The Start of the Lamborghini V12

The first Lamborghini V12 engine was designed by a brilliant engineer named Giotto Bizzarrini. He was asked by Ferruccio Lamborghini to create an engine that would be more powerful than anything Ferrari had at the time.

Designing a Legend

Bizzarrini designed a 3.5-liter V12 engine that could produce a lot of horsepower. This was a huge achievement for Lamborghini, a new car company at the time. The engine was built to be very strong and reliable.

How the Lamborghini V12 Works

The Lamborghini V12 engine uses petrol (gasoline) as its fuel. Over the years, it changed and improved a lot.

Fuel System Evolution

Early versions (like the 3.5-liter and 3.9-liter) used carburettors. These mix air and fuel before it enters the engine.
Later versions (from 5.7-liter onwards) switched to electronic fuel injection. This system is more precise and efficient, spraying fuel directly into the engine's cylinders.

Valves and Cooling

The engine has a double overhead camshaft system, which helps the valves open and close very precisely.

Older versions had 2 valves per cylinder.
Newer, more powerful versions had 4 valves per cylinder. More valves help the engine breathe better and make more power.

The engine is also water-cooled, which means a liquid circulates to keep the engine from getting too hot.

Different Versions Over Time

The Lamborghini V12 engine grew bigger and more powerful over its long life. It started as a 3.5-liter engine and eventually became a 6.5-liter monster.

Engine Size and Power

3.5-liter (1963): This was the first version, making about 274 horsepower.
6.2-liter (early 2000s): This version was much more powerful, producing around 580 horsepower. It was used in cars like the Lamborghini Murciélago.
6.5-liter (later 2000s): The final versions of this engine reached up to 640 horsepower.

The engine's weight also changed. The 6.5-liter version weighed about 253 kg (558 pounds). The second generation 6.5-liter was a bit lighter at 235 kg (518 pounds).

Where the V12 Engine Was Used

This iconic engine powered many of Lamborghini's most famous cars.

The V12 engine was a key part of Lamborghini's identity for decades. It helped them build some of the fastest and most exciting sports cars in the world.