BMW M4 GTS revealed

BMW has revealed the production version of the M4 GTS which was previously showcased in conceptual form at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Limited to 700 units only, this track-focussed stripped-down model sees minimal changes in design from the concept displayed.

As seen on the concept, the M4 GTS' 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine comes equipped with a water injection system that injects water vapour into the intake system to cool the air entering the engine. This has allowed engineers to tune the motor to produce 493bhp and 61.25kgm of torque – 68bhp and 5.11kgm more than the standard M4.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with launch control as on the standard M4. The car also comes equipped with mechanically adjustable suspension and carbon-ceramic brakes. Inside, the car has been stripped down to save weight.

The rear bench makes way for a roll cage, while the standard seats of the M4 make way for carbon-fibre bucket seats. It also gets lightweight door panels and a new centre console. The exhaust is now a lightweight titanium sports exhaust.

This, in addition to the carbon ceramic brakes and a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic bonnet has allowed BMW to shed 80kg off of the performance coupé. BMW claims that this reduction in weight has allowed the new M4 GTS to sprint from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds, quicker than the current M4’s 4.3 seconds and its predecessor, the previous-gen M3 GTS’ 4.4 seconds.

The manufacturer also says that the new M4 GTS lapped the Nürburgring in 7 min 28 sec making it 20 seconds faster than the previous-gen M3 GTS. The BMW M4 GTS is slated to go into production internationally by year end, with deliveries expected to start sometime early next year.