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From gasgoo.com:

March 4, 2008 – China has developed and successfully tested run its first V 12 Cylinder engine for upscale cars, state media Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.

The engine codenamed CA12GV is a gas engine developed by First Automotive Works and designed for Hongqi E class sedans. This success of this engine means FAW has grasped key technologies with V type engines. This is another technological breakthrough made by First Automotive Works after it developed JB8 engine.

The V12 engine will start volume production as of April, 2009, according to the Xinhua News Agency report. It will be used to power passenger vehicles built on Hongqi E-class platform.

From China Car Times:

FAW have joined a very special motoring club - the marques that can make V12 engines!

FAWs first self developed V12 engine, codenamed, CA12VG, will be used in the next line up of FAWs own luxury brand cars, Hong Qi. The V12 could be used in the next Audi based Hong Qi model, or the Hong Qi SUV, we do know the V12 will be in full production by April 2009.

 

[ash]

wow what is FAW thinkign, these days car manufactureres are thinking of ways to smaller their engines under v6 and 4 cyl.....i think this is very bad move in wrong directtion

hybrid and battery are future

 

[BringIt]

Well, yes and no. The market for "extreme waste and showing-off" will always be there; for top officials, CEO's, and movie stars. So why not have a home-grown option beside all of the luxury imports? Why let foreigners make all the money in China?

Though FAW should make this V12 extremely fuel efficient. Have a cylinder cut off system so it runs as an I6 most of the time - even better, add a mild hybrid system to shut the V12 down during deceleration and stops. Along with a multi-speed dsg gearbox, it can be as efficient as a typical V6.

Do it right, FAW. It will sell better too.

 

[dragin]

Like the V-12, FAW is a heavyweight in the industry.

But instead of trying to blaze a new path, FAW has chosen to take the easier road of imitating the global big boys. It doen't seem that investment in such dated technology is a wise move.

By comparison Chery, Chang'an, and BYD seem to have much more vision.

 

[Joest]

Well, Hong Qi wants to be a premium brand. They can't achieve that with the engine they're using today (they even used the Chrysler/Simca/Talbot 2,2l !)

I'm French. Apart from Delahaye and Hispano-Suiza in the 30s, there have never been any French V12. Citroen, Peugeot and Renault never had the guts to built one. And now, they're just small player on the global market.

So, I won't blame FAW/Hong Qi for having ambitions!

 

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More about FAW V12 engine in Autoblog.

When you think of V12 engines, what typically comes to mind? German luxury sedans? Italian exotics? Think again: Chinese automaker FAW has taken the wraps off a new 6-liter V12 that will begin production in about a year from now. The engine will drive the new Hongqi HQE limousine, China's homegrown take on the Rolls-Royce Phantom previewed by the HQD concept car at the 2005 Shanghai Auto Show.
Established in 1953, First Automobile Works is, as you can guess, China's first automobile manufacturer, and remains one of the largest in the country. Hongqi ( "red flag") is FAW's flagship line, which also includes the (ahem) self-driving HQ3 that we reported on previously. In addition to its own range of vehicles, FAW also makes the Toyota Prius and several Volkswagens and Audis under local joint ventures. While the Hongqi HQE may find its share of buyers in China's burgeoning luxury market, we wouldn't expect to see it on American streets any time soon unless it's parked in front of the Chinese embassy.

 

[phaeton]

Does not that engine cover say 4.3L ?

If you also count the plastic cylinder lines it equals eight (4 on each side) :nono: