The Maybach VL I was an Otto cycle V-12 engine, made from 1924 in Germany.

The airship LZ 126 was powered by five VL I engines which emphasised reliability and low fuel consumption.

The VL I was a V-12 liquid-cooled four-stroke Otto cycle engine, with individual grey cast iron cylinders, with a cylinder bore of 140 mm (5.5 in), piston stroke of 180 mm (7.1 in), and displacement of 33.255 L (2,029.3 cu in).

The crankshaft was supported in roller-bearings and was fitted with a vibration damper for smooth operation.

Compressed air was used to start the engine; two tanks with a volume of 25 m3 (880 cu ft) at 29 bar (420 psi) supplied compressed air directly to each cylinder to start the engine.