BMW has confirmed that the M4 GTS 'concept' will become reality.
It takes the regular M4 Coupé as a basis, ditches the rear seats, adds a water injection system, adjustable suspension, lightweight components and trick aerodynamics to create an M4 even better suited for continuous track use. It's limited to 700 units and goes on sale in early 2016.
Exterior
There'll be no mistaking the M4 GTS for any other BMW M car thanks to 'Acid Orange' detailing on the bespoke alloy wheels and a huge rear wing. Those rims measure 9.5J x 19-inch up front and 10.5J x 10-inch at the back and are shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (front: 265/35 R19, rear: 285/30 R20). That rear spoiler is made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and is delicately mounted on gorgeous CNC-machined aluminium struts. It's manually adjustable to three different levels. Complementing it, in aerodynamic terms, is a carbon fibre diffuser below the bumper and the signature quad exhaust system - this time with 80mm diameter pipes and a laser-engraved M logo.
Up front, there's more aerodynamic trickery. The Acid Orange splitter is hard to miss and it's manually adjustable between two settings. Naturally, it's made of CFRP. As is the new bonnet, which features a massive racing-inspired air outlet, assisting with engine bay cooling and aerodynamics. The final touch is a restyled set of kidney grilles, finished in high-gloss black. Unlike its predecessor (the orange-only M3 GTS), BMW will offer buyers a choice of four colours for the M4 GTS: Frozen Dark Grey (pictured), Sapphire Black, Mineral Grey or Alpine White.
Interior
Gorgeous bucket seats set the tone of the highly modified cabin. They're carbon fibre in structure and trimmed in Merino leather with contrast stitching in anthracite-coloured Alcantara and M stripes in the backrests. There are more M stripes in the seat belts. Alcantara also trims the lovely three-spoke steering wheel (with an orange '12 o'clock' marker), a section of the dashboard and new lightweight centre console. Even the door panels are all new and much simpler in design to reinforce the 'racer for the road' image. They feature pull loops instead of handles.
Weight reduction continues in the rear of the cabin, where the back seats are removed and replaced by a CFRP shelf and panel, though the M4 GTS pictured here features the optional (at no extra cost) Clubsport Package. It includes an Acid Orange roll bar and six-point harnesses, plus a 2kg fire extinguisher. In spite of the focus on low weight and driving thrills, the M4 GTS doesn't want for equipment. It comes as standard with satnav, air conditioning and parking sensors all-round.
Mechanicals
At the heart of the M4 GTS is the standard M4's twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol engine and seven-speed M DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, thanks to the adoption of the M4 MotoGP Safety Car's water injection system, BMW has been able to turn up the wick. Peak power is now 500hp at 6,250rpm (up from 431hp) and torque has jumped from 550- to 600Nm, available from 4,000- to 5,500rpm. BMW quotes 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds (previously 4.1 seconds) and a 'limited' top speed of 305km/h. The official figures also peg fuel consumption at 8.3 litres/100km (34mpg) and emissions at 194g/km.
Detail changes have been made to the chassis, including the fitment of three-way adjustable coilover suspension with manually variable compression and rebound settings. The anti-roll bars and support mounts are also beefed up to suit track work, as is the steering system, allowing the adoption of wider front wheels. At the back, the electronically controlled Active M Differential has also been updated, while BMW fits carbon-ceramic brakes as standard to the M4 GTS.
Anything else?
The launch of the BMW M4 GTS marks the world debut in a 'series-produced vehicle' for OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) lighting. They're used in the back lights and the key difference between OLEDs and normal LEDs is that the latter emit their light from single points, whereas OLEDs light up a full surface. They're also incredibly thin. The rear light signature of the M4 GTS should, like the rest of the car, be quite distinctive.