Zenvo Automotive previews the most powerful V12 engine ever fitted to a roadcar

Zenvo Automotive will shortly breathe life into ‘Mjølner’. With four turbos and producing up to 1250bhp alone, pushing up to 1,850bhp when incorporated with the electric hybrid system, it will be the most powerful V12 engine ever fitted to a production roadcar. The first example of the carefully crafted, hand-built unit has now been completed, as the Aurora development programme continues at pace.

Developed with the team at MAHLE Powertrain, the beating heart of Aurora is a newly designed, bespoke 6.6-litre V12 engine, which will be built at MAHLE Powertrain in Northampton, UK, alongside the hybrid system. With the birth of this new milestone powerplant, the Aurora programme has taken a significant step forward, and an extensive testing phase will get underway ahead of the first prototypes entering testing.

“A key part of the Aurora programme is around delivering an emotional connection for drivers and passengers, designed to stimulate the senses,” explains Jens Sverdrup, Zenvo Automotive, Chairman. “Sound and visceral drama is what Aurora will be all about, and the engine is a vital element in this, which we will turn up to 11. At Zenvo, we are a team of passionate, genuine ‘car guys’, and it is not every day that a V12 engine is born, so it is very proud moment and very exciting to finally showcase Mjølner. The fact it is the world’s most powerful roadcar engine was not something we set out to achieve, but is a result of us pushing what we know is possible. This is a hugely important milestone, and the next step will see – and hear! – it come to life, and it has been designed to deliver at every level, which shows the progress we continue to make.” 

The design of Mjølner is based on experience and proven practices within the road car sector, whilst pushing the boundaries of performance. This engine has been carefully considered in all aspects from the initial design phase, from driver engagement and comfort, through to meeting current and future emissions legislation around the world. Despite its high performance levels, with its 9,800rpm redline, this is a bespoke engine developed specifically for the road, rather than being some more compromised when motorsport-derived. The engine will feature the MAHLE Jet Ignition system, which has been in development at MAHLE Powertrain for over a decade and is a key enabler for ‘Lambda1’ operation. This will be pre-requisite for future emissions requirements. This engine, in V12 format, is the first implementation of this new modular architecture from Zenvo Automotive. From here, the concept will continue to be developed and used in different layouts across future product lines and models within the Zenvo family.

“Watching the development of this engine from the ground up has been a labour of love,” comments John Hollingworth, MAHLE Powertrain, Sales & Marketing Director. “There have been some real engineering challenges along this journey, which have really put our engineering teams to the test, but they have more than delivered at every step. Now, seeing the hardware come together to start the next phase of engine testing is a real achievement. It is a true testament to our engineers and the way they have risen to this challenge, developing a road engine unlike anything else in the world. It really showcases their expertise, pushed to the absolute maximum across our business. We are so close to hearing the soundtrack of the Mjølner engine, and everyone is waiting with anticipation to hear that first roar into life. It will be a defining moment in automotive history.”