In 1980 BMW took the plunge into Formula 1. The team of expert engineers under “engine pope” Paul Rosche conjured an astonishing 580 – 600 hp from just 1.5 litres. 16 valves, turbochargers and electronics made the miracle possible. In 1983 that output figure mushroomed to a now legendary 900 – 1,200 hp, and Brazil’s Nelson Piquet drove a Brabham BMW to the World Championship title. You really couldn’t ask for much more.