The evolution of Turbo engines at BMW in competition

BMW celebrates 50 years of its turbocharged engines in competition, from the BMW 2002 TI of 1969 to the current engine in the BMW M4 DTM.

Five decades of turbo engines in competition. We review the history of the most relevant racing cars from BMW that have used turbocharged engines, from the first BMW 2002 TI of 1969 to the new M4 DTM, without forgetting the brand’s participation as an engine supplier in Formula 1.

BMW 2002 TI of 1969: the M121 engine

It was the first of a long history of successes. The BMW 2002 TI with which Austrian Dieter Quester won the European Touring Car Championship was equipped with a 2-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 280 CV at 6,500 rpm. The turbocharger was capable of delivering a boost pressure of almost 1.8 bar, but it was limited to 0.98 to ensure reliability.

BMW 2002 engine

BMW 3.0 CSL of 1976: M49/4 engine

The engineers at BMW Motorsport needed weeks to assemble the car that would debut at Silverstone. And in 1976, the BMW 3.0 CSL with a 3.2-litre turbo engine producing 750 CV at 9,000 rpm already competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1976.

BMW 320 Group 5 of 1977: M12/12 engine

BMW was already achieving 400 CV from a 4-cylinder engine with the M12/12, the powerplant fitted to the BMW 320 Group 5 of Schnitzer Motorsport in 1977. Subsequently, a development of this engine by Paul Rosche and his team reached 500 CV by 1979.

BMW M1 Group 5 of 1979: M88/2 engine

The spectacular BMW M1 reached a power output of 1,000 CV in 1979, in its Group 5 racing version. In reality, the car’s homologation was delayed until 1981, and during those years the M1 Procar Group 4 used the M88/1 engine in its naturally aspirated version. Already with Group 5 specifications, the M1 driven by Hans Stuck took victory at Norisring in 1981.

BMW M1

Brabham BMW (1981-1987): M12/13 engine

Using the base of the BMW 320 Group 5 engine, Paul Rosche developed one of the most impressive engines in Formula 1 history. The 1.5-litre powerplant, which produced 560 CV in race trim on its debut in 1981, almost tripled its power in a very short time. In 1982 it scored its first F1 victory with Nelson Piquet. A year later, the Brabham BMW BT52 became the world champion car in F1.

Brabham BT52

In this car, the M12/13/1 engine reached 640 CV in the race and, with a turbo boost pressure of 2.9 bar, its qualifying specification reached 1,400 CV, making it the most powerful engine used in Formula 1 up to that date.

MINI WRC and BMW 320 TC WTCC (2011-2012): P14 and P13 engines

BMW ended its Formula 1 period in 2011. Shortly before, the motorsport department developed a new turbo engine, based on the four-cylinder production unit of the Mini Cooper S. Under the internal designation P14, this engine was used in the Mini Countryman WRC, and in the BMW 320 TC of the World Touring Car Championship WTCC as the P13. With a displacement of just 1.6 litres, the production engine block received the necessary modifications to withstand a power increase, which eventually generated up to 320 CV.

BMW M6 GT3 of 2016: P63 engine

Another racing engine based on the production powerplant, in this case the P63. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, developed by BMW Motorsport, delivered 585 CV. This engine, combined with the bodywork of the M6 GT2, continues to achieve success, such as victory at the 24 Hours of Spa.

BMW M6 GT3

BMW M8 GTE of 2018: P63/1 engine

To comply with the regulations of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the M6 GT3 engine evolved into the P63/1, with its displacement reduced to 4 litres. Of the total 2,300 parts that make up the engine, 181 are exclusive and 770 were developed specifically for this powerplant, which delivers between 500 and 600 CV depending on the category. It is the most efficient racing engine ever produced by BMW Motorsport. Among its major successes, victory in the GTLM class at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019.

BMW M8 GTE

BMW M4 DTM of 2019: P48 engine

Exactly 50 years after its first racing turbo engine, the DTM is once again using turbocharged engines this season. And BMW returns to its roots with the BMW M4 DTM, with a powerful 4-cylinder turbo engine. Now, five decades later, power exceeds 600 CV, with turbocharger boost pressures of up to 2.5 bar. An engine that is not only more powerful than the one previously used by BMW in the DTM. It is also much lighter and consumes less fuel.

BMW M4 DTM