BMW M4 GTS: portrait of a super sports coupé

As a track tool with road-approval and a lot of power, the BMW M4 GTS could be described as radical. However, this would not do justice to the 2016 BMW M vehicle, which was limited to 700 units. Instead, the sports coupé should be described as “consistent”. Here, state-of-the-art technology from motorsport has been implemented in a vehicle that excels both on the race track and on the country road with the highest levels of performance – and at the same time being able to stand up to any kind of opponent. But first things first.

5 POWERFUL FACTS:

Max. output 368 kW (500 hp)
Performance-enhancing water injection
Top speed: 305 km/h
Nürburgring lap time: 07:28 minutes
700 units were built

COMMITTED TO TRADITION.

INNOVATIVE ENGINE TECHNOLOGY.

A considerable proportion of the overall performance of the BMW M4 GTS – as should be the case with a BMW M – is down to its engine. The award-winning inline 6-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo engine from the BMW M3 and BMW M4 receives its ultimate refinement in the GTS. Not only have the engine characteristics and response behaviour been optimised – but its use of an innovative water injection system gives the engine a significant performance boost. With 500 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Nm, the BMW M4 GTS can reach 100 km/h in an impressive 3.8 seconds.

It’s about cooling the intake air further down than the turbo’s charge air cooler can.

Franciscus van Meel

CEO of BMW M GmbH

OUTSTANDING POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO.

To get as close as possible to the power to weight ratio of a racing car, the BMW M4 GTS has a large number of carbon elements. The bonnet, boot lid, roof, rear diffuser, adjustable front splitter and adjustable rear wing are made of this particularly lightweight high-tech material. The highlight in the engine compartment is the carbon precision strut, which reinforces the entire front end of the vehicle and thus significantly improves steering precision.

3,0 Kg/hp

is the power to weight ratio of the BMW M4 GTS.

LIGHTWEIGHT INTERIOR.

The developers have not only attached great importance to lightweight construction in the exterior. The interior also had to meet the strict requirements set during the development of the vehicle: carbon bucket seats, a lightweight centre console, the rear bench trim with lightweight luggage compartment partition wall. As well as this, it also includes a special lightweight door and side panels with door pull loops to complete the purist equipment. The M Sport steering wheel, with its ’12 o’clock’ marking, further emphasises the BMW M4 GTS’s motorsport character.

3,8 sec.

is the time the BMW M4 GTS needs to sprint to 100 km/h.

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE …

The 7-speed M dual-clutch gearbox with manual gear selection via paddle shift optimally transfers the power of the engine to the rear wheels at all times. Meanwhile, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres with 265/35 R19 front and 285/30 R20 rear dimensions bite into the asphalt for energetic propulsion. The 3-way M coilover suspension can be individually adjusted and can therefore be optimised for different routes all over the world.

… PERFECTLY STAGED.

With all the technical finesse of the BMW M4 GTS, successful performance shouldn’t fall by the wayside. Its weight-optimised M light-alloy wheels are forged in the exclusive 666 M star spoke styling in acid orange and burn brightly. They also house the powerful M carbon ceramic brakes, which ensure good deceleration even in racing. Another exclusive feature of the model can be found in the tail lights, as its bright OLEDS create a unique light signature and make the BMW M4 GTS appear particularly powerful at night.

HANDS-ON RACING.

When purchasing a BMW M4 GTS, the vehicle was equipped with the optional Clubsport package. In addition to a roll bar in Acid Orange behind the seats, the package also included 6-point belts suitable for racing use and an integrated fire extinguisher. In spring 2016 BMW M came up with another equipment option: the M Carbon Compound wheels. Their innovative material characteristics bring about a significant reduction in unsprung and rotating masses. Even better acceleration and deceleration values were the result.

7:28 Min.: The lap time of the BMW M4 GTS on the Nürburgring‘s Nordschleife.

OUTSTANDING ON THE RING.

With an outstanding time of 7:28 minutes on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife, the BMW M4 GTS attracted a lot of attention shortly after its debut. Hardly surprising, as even super sports cars with significantly more power reach similar times on the approximately 21-kilometre long track. The high-performance vehicle from BMW M has therefore delivered more than just that: intelligent lightweight construction and perfect handling are still an unbeatable combination and made the BMW M4 GTS the fastest production vehicle from BMW M on the ring, at that time.

The BMW M4 GTS on the Nuerburgring Nordschleife

Start video

A SAFETY CAR IN THE DTM.

With such strong performance, the BMW M4 GTS demands an appropriate stage, and in spring 2016, BMW M decided to use the BMW M4 GTS as a safety car in the DTM. With the Clubsport package, the athlete was well-equipped for his job as the lead vehicle. Only the installation of the safety car-specific signal light system with LED roof bars and LED flashers in the strikingly designed front skirt was necessary to lead the field of thundering V8 cars.