As with Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance events of the past, BMW has arrived with some highly impressive concept cars. The first is a true design study: the 3.0 CSL Hommage R, but the other appears ready to race off showroom floors, and onto a local track: the M4 GTS.
The BMW M4 GTS Concept is a lightened, more deeply engineered version of the standard M4 with new performance technology for buyers who desire a race-ready, street legal M car. Some notable performance enhancements include a water-injection system for its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic hood (construction that was pioneered with i-Series vehicles), LED taillights, an adjustable front splitter, large rear spoiler, and a re-worked chassis.
I consider the M4 GTS a concept only in name because each of its track-focused improvements will be incorporated into the production M4 GTS due early next year.
“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,” said Frank van Meel, president of BMW’s hallowed M division. “Despite its outstanding track ability, it is still fully road legal.”
Official output is still unclear, but BMW’s M division has previously reported that the water-injection system that cools the air entering the engine will increase power by eight percent over the standard 425 horsepower for approximately 460 HP. The same can be said for the torque readout, which should rise from 406 pound-feet to 438.
Other benefits to the water-injection system besides greater power is a reduction in engine knock, giving the M4 higher boost pressure with earlier fuel injection. As for cooling, BMW added two radiators and gave the intercooler another electric water pump.
The suspension has also been upgraded while the wheels are 19-inches up front, 20-inches in the rear and wrapped in Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires.
All indicators suggest that the M4 GTS will be every bit as good as the 2010 M3 GTS, with the benefit of more power and better cooling.
