Engine analysis - BMW P86 20 November 2006
With the 2006 introduction of the 2.4 litre V8 rule, this engine was built from scratch, with its development then phased into three steps over the season. The aim was to start with a solid foundation and then gradually raise the revs. Specific figures for peak power and revs were not revealed, but the P86 was certainly very capable of high rpm. By the end of the year was generally considered the third most powerful engine, just behind Renault and Ferrari. The 20,000 rpm barrier was certainly broken, the optimum probably closer to 21,000.
