Hot on the heels of Audi’s announcement regarding their new 2.0-liter TFSI engine, parent company Volkswagen released a treasure trove of information regarding the company’s revamped 6.0-liter W12 gasoline engine that will power a range of the company’s premium vehicles in the Audi, Bentley, and Volkswagen brands.

According to VW’s head of Powertain Development, Friedrich Eichler, the new engine combines two different fuel-injection designs: Bentley’s TMPI multi-point injection and Audi’s FSI direct injection.

The dual fuel-injection system offers high-pressure direct injection (FSI) and low-pressure manifold injection (TMPI) combined with twin-scroll twin-turbo forced induction and individual cylinder bank deactivation. The lubrication system has been enhanced with a switchable oil pump that will improve off-road capability.

An overview of the rotating assembly and valvetrain – neat stuff here!

Also on tap in the powerplant are air-plasma-sprayed coated cylinder bores to reduce weight and friction, a new cooling system configuration, and an idle-stop (instant-start) function to help reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

The end result of these improvements allow the engine to produce 600 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 664 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. Expected performance will be 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds and top speed above 186 mph.

Initial indications are that the new W12 engine will power the Bentley Continental, next-gen Audi A8, and potentially the VW Phaeton and Bentley Bentayga, the company’s new SUV.

According to Eichler, the new engine has the highest technology density of any engine in the world, and will be the most economical 12-cylinder engine in the luxury car segment.