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Megatron (engine)
Encyclopedia
The BMW M12/13 turbo 1500 cc 4-cylinder turbocharged Formula One
engine, based on the standard BMW M10
engine introduced in 1961, powered the F1 cars of Brabham, Arrows
and Benetton
and won the world championship in 1983.
As BMW M12, the engine design since the 1960s became one of the most successful engines in racing. Starting with the European Touring Car Championship
, it was also used in Formula 2, expanded to two litre and fitted with four-valve heads, producing over 300 hp. In the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft
, a 1400 cc variant (with a 1.4 handicap factor equal to 2000cc) was turbocharged by Paul Rosche according to FIA Group 5
rules. At well over 350 hp from the beginning, it rendered the normally aspirated engines in the two liter category useless. After some development, power, driveability and reliability improved, especially in the IMSA
car, and BMW began to think about entering F1, where a handicap factor of 2.0 required 1500 cc engines.
In the years 1986 and 1987, the version M12/13/1 was tilted sideways by 72° for use in the extremely low Brabham BT55
. The design was not successful, probably due to cooling issues in the tight compartment. The 1986 engine was said to produce about 1300 hp in qualifying, that being the most powerful figure of all the turbo-charged engines in Formula One.
As BMW announced to pull out officially at the end of 1986, the Arrows
team brokered a deal with support from its primary sponsor, USF&G
, to continue the use of the upright BMW engines under the name of its subsidiary Megatron, Inc., founded by long-time F1 aficionado John J. Schmidt, who coined the phrase "Horse racing may have been the sport of kings, but auto racing is the sport of corporations". The engines were serviced by Heini Mader from Switzerland, the former mechanic of Jo Siffert
.
Rebadged as Megatron, the BMW engines were used by the Arrows
team for the 1987
and 1988
seasons, as well as Ligier for 1987 only.
The Megatron programme ended as a result of a change of Formula 1 engine rules which banned turbocharged engines at the end of 1988. The Arrows team reverted to using 3500 cc Ford-Cosworth V8 normally aspirated powerplants for the 1989
season.
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
engine, based on the standard BMW M10
BMW M10
The BMW M10/M12 was a straight-4 piston engine produced from 1961 to 1987. Displacement ranged from 1499 cc to 1990 cc.The engine was designed by noted engineer and race driver Baron Alex von Falkenhausen. He was asked to design a small-displacement engine, but felt that this would be...
engine introduced in 1961, powered the F1 cars of Brabham, Arrows
Arrows
Arrows Grand Prix International was a British Formula One team active from to . For a period of time, it was also known as Footwork.-Origins :...
and Benetton
Benetton Formula
Benetton Formula Ltd., commonly referred to simply as Benetton, was a Formula One constructor that participated from to . The team was owned by the Benetton family who run a worldwide chain of clothing stores of the same name. In 2000 the team was purchased by Renault, but competed as Benetton for...
and won the world championship in 1983.
As BMW M12, the engine design since the 1960s became one of the most successful engines in racing. Starting with the European Touring Car Championship
European Touring Car Championship
The European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
, it was also used in Formula 2, expanded to two litre and fitted with four-valve heads, producing over 300 hp. In the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft
Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft
Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft or simply DRM as it was known, was a touring car and Sportscar racing series...
, a 1400 cc variant (with a 1.4 handicap factor equal to 2000cc) was turbocharged by Paul Rosche according to FIA Group 5
Group 5 (racing)
Group 5 was an FIA motor racing classification which was applied to four distinct categories during the years 1966 to 1982. Initially Group 5 regulations defined a Special Touring Car category and from 1970 to 1971 the classification was applied to limited production Sports Cars restricted to 5...
rules. At well over 350 hp from the beginning, it rendered the normally aspirated engines in the two liter category useless. After some development, power, driveability and reliability improved, especially in the IMSA
IMSA
IMSA can refer to:* International Management Systems Association, original name of the International Project Management Association * Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a residential magnet school located in Aurora, Illinois...
car, and BMW began to think about entering F1, where a handicap factor of 2.0 required 1500 cc engines.
Brabham BT55
The Brabham BT55 was a Formula One racing car designed by Gordon Murray and David North for the Brabham team owned by Bernie Ecclestone. It used a BMW four-cylinder turbocharged engine tilted over on its side to allow a clear supply of air to the rear wing. The car competed during the 1986 Formula...
. The design was not successful, probably due to cooling issues in the tight compartment. The 1986 engine was said to produce about 1300 hp in qualifying, that being the most powerful figure of all the turbo-charged engines in Formula One.
As BMW announced to pull out officially at the end of 1986, the Arrows
Arrows
Arrows Grand Prix International was a British Formula One team active from to . For a period of time, it was also known as Footwork.-Origins :...
team brokered a deal with support from its primary sponsor, USF&G
USF&G
USF&G was an American insurance company which existed from 1896 until 1998. Originally called United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, the Baltimore, Maryland-based company was organized on March 19, 1896, and commenced business on August 1, 1896...
, to continue the use of the upright BMW engines under the name of its subsidiary Megatron, Inc., founded by long-time F1 aficionado John J. Schmidt, who coined the phrase "Horse racing may have been the sport of kings, but auto racing is the sport of corporations". The engines were serviced by Heini Mader from Switzerland, the former mechanic of Jo Siffert
Jo Siffert
Joseph Siffert was a Swiss racing driver.Affectionately known as "Seppi" to his family and close friends, Siffert was born in Fribourg, Switzerland, the son of a dairy owner...
.
Rebadged as Megatron, the BMW engines were used by the Arrows
Arrows
Arrows Grand Prix International was a British Formula One team active from to . For a period of time, it was also known as Footwork.-Origins :...
team for the 1987
1987 Formula One season
The 1987 Formula One season was the 38th season of Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1987 FIA Formula One World Championship for Drivers and Constructors which commenced on April 12, 1987 and ended on November 15 after sixteen races...
and 1988
1988 Formula One season
The 1988 Formula One season was the 39th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1988 FIA Formula One World Championship which commenced on April 3, 1988 and ended on November 13 after sixteen races...
seasons, as well as Ligier for 1987 only.
The Megatron programme ended as a result of a change of Formula 1 engine rules which banned turbocharged engines at the end of 1988. The Arrows team reverted to using 3500 cc Ford-Cosworth V8 normally aspirated powerplants for the 1989
1989 Formula One season
The 1989 Formula One season was the 40th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1989 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on March 26, 1989 and ended on November 5 after sixteen races...
season.
External links
- http://www.gurneyflap.com/bmwturbof1engine.html
- http://grandprix.com/gpe/eng-megat.html
- http://www.imca-slotracing.com/2008-XMAS3.htm