Aston Martin Vanquish vs Bentley Continental GT vs Ferrari 812: V12-powered drag race

The V12 engine may not be as popular in 2025 as it was a few years ago, but I still love a screaming 12-cylinder sports car.

I’ve gathered together three of the best – the Aston Martin Vanquish, Bentley Continental GT and the Ferrari 812 – to see which is quickest in a quarter-mile drag race.

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Aston Martin Vanquish

I’m driving the Aston Martin Vanquish in today’s race. Under the bonnet is a 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine with 835hp and 1,000Nm of torque.

This is sent to the rear wheels only via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and the car weighs in at 1,835kg. The Vanquish will set you back an eye-watering £334,000.

Ferrari 812

The Ferrari 812 has an even bigger 6.5-litre V12 engine with no turbos in sight, and it puts out 800hp and 718Nm of torque.

It’s also rear-wheel drive and has a seven-speed automatic gearbox, and the 812 tips the scales at 1,630kg. When it was new, this car cost from £253,000.

Bentley Continental GT

The slightly more regal Bentley Continental GT uses a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine, and it puts out 635hp and 900Nm of torque.

It’s the only car here which has all-wheel drive, with power going to the ground via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s the heaviest of the three by far though, coming in at 2,169kg. When new, this Bentley cost £230,000.

So on paper, these cars are all pretty evenly matched. The Aston is the most powerful, but the Ferrari is the lightest. And while the Bentley weighs several hundred kilos more than the other two, it’s the only car with all-wheel drive traction to get it off the line.

Which car will come out on top? You’ll have to watch the video to find out.

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