The car was unveiled at Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences

BMW, which previously powered Williams, bought Sauber last year and is aiming to win races within three years.

"I think it could be possible but in the end it's a sport," said team boss Mario Theissen.

"I don't promise you podium finishes or victories this year but we'll make our mark and put everything in place to close the gap to the top teams."

Sauber have failed to win a race in the 13 years they have been in F1 and Theissen warned people not to expect too much too soon.

"The target is to move up the ladder as quickly as possible and we are very confident that we have put everything in place.

"The resources are there but it takes time. It won't happen overnight," he said.

Canada's former world champion Jacques Villeneuve and Germany's Nick Heidfeld are the two race drivers for 2006 with Polish newcomer Robert Kubica the tester.

Villeneuve had a troubled last season at Sauber, with regular speculation that he would be dropped, and this season could still be his last in F1.

"It will be better than last year," the 1997 champion predicted when asked how he saw the season unfolding.

"But it is impossible to know exactly where we stand right now."