Whatever the Northstar VX12 is in, it will offer considerable appeal. As GM describes it, the XV12 is "small on the outside and big on the inside" and offers 12-cylinder performance in a V8 package, with fuel economy levels more in line with the smaller configuration's.
The 60-degree, all-aluminum dual overhead cam four-valve engine displaces 7.5 liters and produces 750 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Nearly all of this power shows up at about 1500 rpm and stays around until the redline is reached.
Northstar VX12 is made possible by a combination of GM technologies. "It showcases a wealth of new technologies under development at GM Powertrain," Indra says, "many of which will eventually find their way into GM engines of all shapes and sizes."
Packaging was the biggest challenge faced by Steve Kowalk, the Northstar XV12's project manager, and his team, since the point of the exercise was for the engine "to fit as many different types of vehicles as possible, while maximizing displacement, and then using Displacement on Demand to deliver the required power at all times."
Kowalk said they also minimized cylinder bore wall thickness to 7 mm and used a rear cam drive to create a more compact package and enable a lower hoodline.
GM's Displacement on Demand enables the V12 to run "seamlessly on six cylinders at times to maximize fuel savings," said Kowalk, adding that it's only one of several technological advancements on the Northstar XV12.