More than a few tears were shed when it was recently reported that Mercedes-AMG is considering killing off the potent SL 65 drop top. Well, prepare for the dam to break because it looks like the SL 65 isn’t the only thing that Mercedes-AMG is planning to get rid off in the near future. A new report, this time from Car and Driver, is shining the spotlight on Mercedes-AMG’s 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, V-12 engine, and that light, as far as its application on future Mercedes-AMG models, is about to be turned off completely soon.

I know that some of you might be thinking that this can’t happen. The AMG V-12 engine is one of the most incredible powertrains on the market today. Surely, Mercedes-AMG isn’t going to stop using it, right?

Unfortunately, the engine’s death certificate appears to be authentic. No less than AMG CEO Tobias Moers put pen to paper when he told Car and Driver that “eventually, the 12-cylinder engine will be phased out at AMG.” Granted, Moers didn’t elaborate on when the performance sub-brand will stop using the V-12s, but it is believed that its place in the powertrain hierarchy will be filled up by a hybrid powertrain that includes its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine. This setup is capable of delivering as much as 800 horsepower so, in theory, future models that will carry this hybrid powertrain won’t have to sacrifice power and performance.

For now, the V-12 remains available in a handful of Mercedes-AMG models, including coupe, convertible, and sedan versions of the S 65, as well as the G 65 SUV. For however long it lasts, the SL 65 will also keep using the V-12.

The good news is that just because AMG won’t be using it anymore, it doesn’t mean that other sub-brands can’t use it for themselves. The twin-turbo V-12 will remain a part of Mercedes-Maybach models, specifically the S650.

Still, it’s sad to see the AMG V-12 go away. It may not be the most economical engine in the world, and it certainly isn’t the most understated one either. But it has one of the best soundtracks of any engine in the business today, and if you’re a big fan of an engine that can deliver an aggressive growl when it’s not doing anything, the AMG V-12 is the one for you. Sad to say that its days on future AMG models are numbered.

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Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-AMG S65.

Read our full review on the 2017 Mercedes-AMG G65.

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S650.

Read our full review on the 2017 Mercedes-AMG SL 65.

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