BMW
showcased a thinly disguised concept version of its upcoming M4 GTS at
the Pebble Beach Concours, and now the car has been spotted testing
by Greg Kable
20 August 2015
The
upcoming BMW M4 GTS has been spotted testing in production-ready form
for the first time, just days after the thinly veiled conceptual version
was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours.
Designed to
be a powered-up and pared-down track-focused variant of the M4, the GTS
is due to go on sale early in 2016. This first test mule is disguised
in the form of the M4 MotoGP safety car, which also previewed the new
model.
One of the chief developments for the M4 GTS is
an innovative water-injection system for its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre
in-line six-cylinder petrol engine. Also included is a
carbonfibre-reinforced plastic bonnet, OLED tail-lights, altered
aerodynamics in the form of an adjustable front splitter and prominent
boot deck-mounted rear wing as well as an upgraded chassis.
Speaking
at the unveiling of the Concept M4 GTS, BMW M boss Frank van Meel said:
“While the M4 embodies the ideal combination of motorsport genes and
unrestricted everyday usability, the Concept M4 GTS previews an
exclusive new model with a keen focus on the race track. Despite its
outstanding track ability, it is still fully road legal.”
BMW
did not revealed a power figure for the Concept M4 GTS, although M
division engineers have revealed that the new water injection system,
which injects water vapour into the intake manifold to cool the air
entering the engine, brings an 8% increase over the 425bhp of the M4’s
standard engine, indicating a new peak of around 460bhp for the upcoming
M4 GTS. A similar increase in torque is also anticipated.
Already
tested by Autocar on a smaller turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder
engine, the water-injection system serves to reduce knock, enabling the
M4 to use higher boost pressure with earlier injection timing. To keep
temperatures in check, BMW has reworked the cooling system with two
additional radiators and a revised intercooler assisted by an additional
electric water pump.
The Concept M4 GTS also received a
carbonfibre-reinforced bonnet, which is claimed to lower its weight and
centre of gravity over the standard M4 for even sharper performance and
agility.
In keeping with its track-focused nature,
BMW provided the Concept M4 GTS with a carbonfibre front splitter and
rear wing, allowing the driver to adjust downforce accordingly. Further
modifications were centred around the suspension, with 9.5 Jx19in wheels
up front and 10.5Jx20in rims at the rear. They were shod with 265/35
R19 and 285/30 R20 Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres respectively.
When
it goes into production in 2016, the M4 GTS will continue a tradition
of special models from BMW M division, including the M3 Sport Evolution
(1990), BMW M3 GT (1995), BMW M3 CLS (2003), M3 GTS (2010) and M3 CRT
(2011).