Nothing screams premium more than a V12 engine under the hood, once reserved for ultra-exclusive limited edition brands, it has since filtered its way down, albeit very slightly, to more mainstream cars.

Has this cheapening of the V12 image lessened the uniqueness? In most cases, no, but there are more than a handful of failed attempts that despite having a big engine failed to live up to the designer's expectations.

For every good V12 there has to be a dud out there, here are some of the ones we like and some to avoid.

10 One Of The Sickest - Ferrari 812 Superfast

Ferrari 812 Superfast
Via Mecum Auctions

In Ferrari-speak, only range-topping luxury grand tourers get the Italian carmakers premium V12 engines where effortless performance is almost taken for granted among more discerning customers seeking refinement first, speed later. The 2018 launch of Ferrari's 812 Superfast fits these criteria perfectly, although looking at the figures might suggest otherwise.

Ferrari 812 Superfast
Via Mecum Auctions

Mounted up front is a new 6.5-liter normally aspirated V12 that generates 800hp, enough to catapult its occupants to 60mph in 2.8 seconds, pulling strongly all the way to its maximum 211 top speed. On the inside, while all this drama is going on, drivers and passengers are treated to a spacious leather-trimmed cockpit, a far cry from some of Ferrari's sportier models.

9 Best Avoided - Jaguar XJR-15

Jaguar XJR-15
Via Girado

Jaguar's XJ220 came and went with a bit of a fizzle rather than the bang gearheads had hoped for, downgrading its engine from a V12 to a V6 didn't early set the motoring world buzzing. However, TWR working in the background on what was a true Jaguar supercar complete with a V12, based closely on a Le Mans Group C XJR-9 racer.

Jaguar XJR-15
Via Girado

The XJR-15 made its debut in 1990 and would be a limited production car with owners able to compete in a single-make racing series. Under the hood, Jaguar's 6-lite V12 is tuned to deliver 450hp at the rear wheels, gearing restricting top speed to 190mph. That same brutal combination of power and gearing made the XJR-15 a beast to drive, spinning its wheels on every gear under acceleration accompanied by a deafening soundtrack that made ear defenders essential.

RELATED: The Greatest V12 Engines Ever Made

8 One Of The Sickest - Lamborghini Sian

Lamborghini Sian
Via CNET

Every year we are teased with news that Lamborghini's flagship will be the last to feature a V12 engine, only for a few months down the line another even crazier V12 monster breaks cover.

Lamborghini Sian
Via CNET

Breaking cover in 2020 with a planned run of 63 cars, the Sian was meant to represent the ultimate Lamborghini V12 road car, packing a 6.5-liter mild hybrid drive train that delivers a combined 807 hp. Flat out, this Lambo can hit 217mph. If the mention of hybrid has gearheads worrying this is the end, fear not the Italian carmaker has announced plans for another two V12 powered cars.

7 Best Avoided - Vector M12

Vector M12
Via GT Spirit

Breaking into the supercar market is not an easy task, most that attempt it fail miserably, leaving a handful of production cars in a less than perfect state. Just like the M8 that preceded the M12, Vector had already been there once.

Vector M12
Via GT Spirit

Launched in 1995, the Vector M12 was a step in the right direction. Opting for cheaper and more reliable Lamborghini sourced V12 engines eliminated many of the problems associated with earlier cars. The almost shared identity makes us wonder why would anyone buy the M12 when a Lamborghini is quicker and similarly priced?

6 One Of The Sickest - Pagani Zonda Roadster

Pagani Zonda Roadster
Via Car Revs Daily

If there was any justice in the world, everyone would be driving one of these beautifully styled carbon-fiber roadsters. Pagani single-handedly transformed carbon-fiber construction into artwork, each carefully laid join seamlessly matching its neighboring panel.

Pagani Zonda Roadster
Via Car Revs Daily

The Zonda has been discontinued dozens of times, only to reappear in another limited edition version, sporting even more power and performance. Pagani is on par with established brands for design and performance, and the Zonda Roadster with its roof removed makes listening to the Mercedes sourced 7.3-liter an even more exciting experience.

RELATED: These Are The 10 Best Pagani Zonda Special Editions

5 Best Avoided - Ferrari F50

Ferrari F50
Via Opumo

Happy Birthday! Ferrari, launched the F50 to celebrate the brand's anniversary and promised gearheads the kind of experience a Formula 1 driver enjoyed, only in a road car. The much-vaunted F1-derived V12 engine might have had its basic roots in motorsport, but in reality, being bigger and heavier, it didn't deliver the same thrills.

Ferrari F50
Via Opumo

At least the carbon-fiber tub remained true to F1 technology, using the engine and transmission as a load-bearing member stiffened the chassis with the plan to improve handling. Unfortunately, it didn't, at least not for road use where owners complained of hard suspension and a back-breaking ride.

4 One Of The Sickest - Aston Martin Vulcan

Aston Martin Vulcan AMR
Via Aston Martin Media

The chances of seeing Aston Martin's Vulcan up close are pretty remote, this track-only limited edition will most likely be locked away in a private collection gathering dust. Shame really, we believe any sports car should be driven, after all, that kind of power is begging for a blast along the back roads.

Aston Martin Vulcan AMR
Via Aston Martin Media

It's all about the numbers with the Vulcan, a naturally aspirated 7-liter V12 producing 820hp and a top speed estimated to be over 225mph. Despite being a track car one owner not content with attack days spent 18-months making his personal Vulcan road legal.

3 Best Avoided - Lamborghini Countach

Lamborghini Countach
Via Collecting Czrs

Every boy's dream supercar the Lamborghini Countach sold more posters than actual cars such was the dramatic impact of this wedge-shaped missile. Under the rear deck, later cars equipped with 5.2-liter V12 engines delivering 455hp made it one of the fastest cars on sale in 1985.

Lamborghini Countach
Via Collecting Cars

However, the dramatic shape made this one of the hardest cars to maneuver, sitting so low to the ground with zero rearward visibility made parking one of these a challenge in itself, assuming owners had sufficiently strong muscles to manage the heavy clutch and gearshift. As a showpiece on the driveway, it's hard to beat any Countach, driving one, however, is a more physically and mentally demanding process.

RELATED: 5 Best Lamborghinis Ever Made (5 Sick Ferraris We'd Rather Drive)

2 One Of The Sickest - Mercedes-AMG SL65 Black Series

Mercedes AMG SL65 Black
Via: Mercedes-Benz

The "ordinary" AMG SL65 is already plenty quick enough for most gearheads, but this hasn't deterred the in-house tuning divisions from building an even faster version dubbed the Black Series.

Mercedes AMG SL65 Black
Via AMG

Tweaking the 6-liter V12 twin-turbo to produce 661hp is only part of the story, as adding more power wasn't enough. AMG, turning their attention to weight, stripped away the bodywork, replacing every panel save for the door in carbon-fiber items, saving 427lbs in the process. Not that any gearheads care about the details, just how fast it goes, hitting 60mph in 3.6-seconds.

1 Best Avoided - Hongqi Red Flag L5

Hongqi Red Flag L5
Via Inf.news

We have to wonder why with Chinese manufacturing prowess why Hongqi didn't simply copy a western luxury sedan instead of building this awkward-looking limousine. Thankfully Hongqi hasn't had much success in exporting the Red Flag L5, making it even easier to avoid.

Hongqi Red Flgag L5
Via Inf.news

Being of Chinese origin you would think this V12 limo would be at the cheaper end of the scale compared to western bands, but you would be wrong, with a list price of $800k putting it right up there with Bentley's best offerings.

NEXT: These Are The Best V12-Engined Cars Ever