BMW/Brabham BT54 Formula 1
The BMW/Brabham BT54 is the successor to the Formula 1 World Championship-winning BMW/Brabham BT52, which carried Nelson Piquet to that title in 1983, the first Formula 1 Championship ever won by a turbocharged engine. This was all the more remarkable because the first race entered with this engine was in January 1982 and 630 days later, it had captured the world championship.
Another noteworthy detail is that this engine, unlike all others in Formula 1, was developed beginning with the stock block of BMW's four-cylinder production engine, under the direction of BMW engine wizard Paul Rosche. The success of this engine with Brabham was such that other Formula 1 teams including ATS, Arrows and Benneton also opted for BMW power in their cars.
In July 1985, the BMW/Brabham BT54 carried Nelson Piquet to victory in the French Grand Prix.
Engine: 4-cylinder, turbocharged M12/13
Valve linkage: DOHC
Displacement: 1499 cc
Bore x stroke: 89.2 mm x 60 mm
Power output: 800 horsepower at 10,500 rpm
Gearbox: 5- or 6-speed
Suspension: Front: Double wishbones, pushrods
Rear: Double wishbones, pushrods
Brakes: SEP/Brabham/Girling
Tires: Pirelli
Wheels: Front: 13 x 12-inch
Rear: 13 x 16.5-inch
Wheelbase: 119 in.
Weight: 931 lbs.
Year of
construction: 1985