tech question (V12 crankshafts)

[Tom239]

A reviewer at the NYTimes thinks a Ferrari V12 has a flat-plane crankshaft.

Conventional V-12 engines are renowned for soothing, buttery power, but the FF’s flat-plane crankshaft imbues the exhaust note with a hard-edge malevolent bark.

The reasons I've heard of for using flat-plane in a V8 don't apply in a V12.
It seems like it would just be perverse to build a V12 with a flat-plane crankshaft.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I seriously doubt that the FF or any other
production V12 has a flat-plane crank.

 

[JohnJW]

you'd think a flat plane would be longer? also nowhere as smooth as a cross plane.

 

[Miner]

Flat crannks work well when the harmonics balance out etc. I would have to Rothschild math.
miner

 

[e.pie]

Yeah I don't think a flat plane v12 crank makes any technical sense, as a v12 is essentially two inline 6 engines put together.

 

[Tom239]

Yeah I don't think a flat plane v12 crank makes any technical sense, as a v12 is essentially two inline 6 engines put together.

I agree.

A flat plane crank can allow firing at 0°, 180°, 360°, and 540°
in one bank. No other options are possible if all the pins
are in one plane. It makes sense for four cylinders per bank
(flat-plane V8) but no sense at all for six cylinders per bank.

I think it's a case of a reviewer not knowing what they're talking about.