Hear The Roar of a V12 Engine

V12 Matra: The Best-Sounding Engine Ever?

Ferrari’s V12 powerplants have culminated in some of the most iconic audio spectacles ever heard, from highway models like the Ferrari 812 Superfast all the way to the Scuderia Ferrari F1 series. But with so many noteworthy machines, could we really distinguish the Prancing Horse’s V12 as being the most delightful-sounding out of them all?

The YouTube channel VisioRacer shared a intriguing story behind the French company Matra. After its beginning in 1965, the racing arm of Matra emerged onto the scene with a game-changing V12 — the 3.0-liter MS9. Its groundbreaking engineer, Georges Martin, showcased his amazing craftsmanship by producing 390 horsepower and 198 lb-ft torque from an entirely aluminum motor.

In spite of the resounding roar of the V12 engine, the MS9 was not as successful as predicted in Formula 1 owing to excessive fuel usage, power inadequacy, and constant reliability problems.

French Made An Ear-Bleeding F1 V12 Engine

In 1969, when renowned British Formula One racer Sir Jackie Stewart chose to employ a Ford-Cosworth DFV engine, the French firm Matra achieved history by attaining victory in both the driver and constructor championship awards.

Matra persistently pursued their motor program, ultimately crafting an extended version known as the MS12. Modeled after the engine configurations of Cosworth, the MS12 kept a resemblance to the MS9 plan including its block and crankshaft.

The cylinder head underwent extensive modification, allowing the engine to generate an equal magnitude of power as the Cosworth at 10,000 revs per minute. Thus the V12 yielded 450 horsepower at 11,000 rpm for a gain of 60 hp and 253 pounds-feet of torque at 8,000 rpm.

Despite this, the racing crew managed to yield only five steps of honour and three quickest tours amid the F1 seasons from 1970 to 1972.

Matra raced its extensively modified V12 engine to the enduro racetrack, winning its initial 24 Hours of Le Mans success in 1972 due to the MS670. Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo earned first place in P1 and Francois Cevert and Howden Ganley then came in second for P2. In the consecutive two years, the squad acquired both drivers’ and constructors’ championship trophies.

Specifications-wise, the MS670 featured a potent MS73 V12 engine for a maximum of 480 horsepower, allowing it to accomplish a top velocity of 199 mph on the Mulsanne Straight.

At the close of the 1974 season, Matra Racing declared its departure from the world of competitive motorsports. Although the organization’s program was done, they still left us with an influence that lingered for a long time afterwards. Can it rival the classic roar of a Ferrari? That is up to you; ultimately, opinions will vary depending on each individual.