The BMW P86 engine

Revolution, not evolution: the Formula One World Championship will not just be welcoming new regulations to the fray in 2006, but a whole new generation of engines. Thanks to a change on the regulations, the new V8 units with 2.4-litre displacement replace the 3.0-litre V10 powerplants which ruled the roost last year.

This switch calls for totally new concepts. Heinz Paschen, the Munich-based Technical Director responsible for the entire powertrain of the new F1 car, gives us a glimpse of what to expect: “The new V8 engines are shorter and, with displacement reduced by 600 cc, have lower output and fuel consumption.”

Director of BMW Motorsports, Dr. Mario Theissen notes, “Lap time will go up by around one to two seconds, though spectators will hardly notice it. The drivers, on the other hand, need to adapt their driving style. To put it simply, they will have to attack corners less sharply to get the most out of the power available.”

The different firing sequences and intervals compared to the V10 have led to a completely new situation in terms of vibrations. With a speed range that exceeded 19,000rpm, the V10 hit a critical zone between 12,000 and 14,000rpm. However, the engine spent little time in this problematic band and smoothed itself out again as the revs were stepped up. But it is precisely here that the V8 encounters problems.

Its vibration curve enters challenging territory later than the V10, starting at around 16,000rpm and becoming more critical from there, which can impact the stability of vehicle components. And like its predecessor with two extra cylinders, the BMW P86 V8 engine will also have to last for two grand prix weekends.