It differed from the Valenta with a 90-degree cylinder bank angle, rather than a 60-degree vee to reduce its height, unit pump injectors eliminating two camshafts, side by side connecting rods to reduce manufacturing costs, higher firing pressures; increased power output, improved fuel consumption and emissions performance.
[1] Beginning in 1994, a small number of British Rail Class 43 (HST) power cars were fitted with Paxman VP185 engines, however the majority retained Valentas into the 21st century.
[4][5][6] East Midlands Trains, who already was the largest operator with 14, opted to standardise on VP185s, ultimately having 26 examples.
[12][13] In 2014, Paxman's successor, MAN Diesel & Turbo UK, sold the first of 60 VP185 diesel engines to the Ching Fu Shipbuilding Company for use in 28 fast patrol vessels for the Taiwanese coastguard service; the remainder were to be supplied over a six-year period.
[14] Production of the VP185 ceased in 2020, coinciding with the closure of MAN Diesel & Turbo UK's factory at Colchester.