NEWS:McLaren dismisses V12 engines as "a thing of the past" (Poll)

The V12 engine is synonymous with supercars, from classics like the Lamborghini Miura and Countach to modern-day screamers like the Ferrari FF and Pagani Huayra. The McLaren F1 – a car universally considered one of the most lust-worthy machines of all time – made use of a 6.1-liter V12 provided by BMWthat pushed out 618 naturally aspirated horsepower.

Though not a true successor to the iconic F1, McLaren's more recent MP4-12C makes 617 horsepower from just eight cylinders displacing 3.8 liters, albeit with the help of twin turbochargers. Such power capabilities have prompted McLaren managing director Antony Sheriff to proclaim, "The V12 engine is a thing of the past. The engine belongs in a museum."

We're not quite ready to archive away all thoughts of V12-powered supercars, but Sheriff has a point. V8 engines, even with turbochargers in tow, are easier to package than V12s and have significantly fewer moving parts, which is good for both power and efficiency. Sheriff suggests that even a V6 would be a possibility for future high-performance applications from McLaren.

And so, we leave this question to you, dear readers: Is the V12 engine a thing of the past? Take part in our informal poll below to voice your opinion.