Having a good Thursday morning? It’s about to get even better. What you’re looking at is the BMW M4 GTS. When BMW M announces a new model it’s always a cause for celebration. In the case of the M4 GTS it’s time to stop what you’re doing and pay very close attention.
As you can already see it’s an extreme expression of the M4. Reduce weight, add power, and throw every conceivable aero attachment to it. Sell in limited numbers, mop up the drool from petrolheads around the world. What makes this so important/awesome/drool-worthy is that this is essentially the successor to previous hardcore BMW M3s such as the E92 GTS, E46 CSL (a car I so desperately want), and the E36 GT.
The GTS a track-focused road car. BMW have upped the power from the M4’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo in-line 6 engine to 500bhp/368kW, a signifanct increase from the standard car’s 425bhp/312kW. That brings the GTS in line to the similarly named AMG GT S and is more powerful than the darling of track-road cars, the 911 GT3. Torque is also up, now at 600NM. The engine also gains water-injection – which basically sprays the engine with water to keep things cool.
Surprisingly fuel consumption and CO2 emissions remains the same as the M4. What has changed are the performance figures. 0-100 km/h is now done in 3.8 seconds, three-tenths of a second quicker than the standard car. It will go all the way to a limited top speed of 305 km/h. That makes the GTS the fastest car BMW has ever produced. Insert approving noises here. It can also lap the Nurburgring in 7:28, BMW claims. Which is impressive, if you care about that sort of thing.
Thanks to a generous dosage of CFRP in the bodywork, the M4 GTS weighs in at 1510kg. That’s about 50kg lighter than the standard M4. The bonnet (now with a bigger bulge), roof, front splitter, and boot lid are made from CFRP. The adjustable rear wing is also made from CFRP, which works with the carbon-fibre rear diffuser to manage the airflow. As you can see BMW have used a lot of carbon for the GTS. Good to see their ‘i’ program have taught them more than making eco-cars. The titanium exhaust is 20 percent lighter and is said to produce an “emotionally rich soundtrack”.
In keeping with the carbon theme, the brakes are carbon-ceramics as standard. The only transmission available is a 7-speed DCT, sending power to the rear-wheels. The GTS wears bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, 265/35 R19 at the front and, 285/30 R20 at the back.
Inside, the weight saving is clearly visible. The seats are carbon-fibre, which are said to weight half as much as those in the M4. In an effort to save weight the rear two seats have been thrown out. In their place is a panel made from glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) and carbon-fibre. That panel and most of the interior is trimmed in alacantara. Everything else has been made from “lightweight” materials. There aren’t even any door handles, rather “door loops”.
Production numbers are strictly limited to 700 unit. It’ll go on sale in the first quarter of 2016, in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the M3. It’ll be limited to 700 units so you better get in quick. The M4 GTS will be displayed at this month’s Tokyo Motor Show, which we will be covering. Stay tuned for that.
