Watch BMW’s water-injected M4 GTS lap the Nurburgring with Ferrari-beating quickness

By Andrew Hard December 24, 2015

BMW M4 GTS Fast Lap Nuerburgring Nordschleife.

Now that’s what I call high-quality H2O.

BMW’s M4 GTS, the first Bimmer to ever feature water injection, is officially the quickest production vehicle the company has ever made. Like the standard M4, the sculpted two-door boasts a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter straight-six, but the hardcore track monster boasts some unique tech that pushes its performance to the next level.

The GTS’ water injection system is actually fairly simple. It consists of a 1.3-gallon frost-proof tank, a water pump, a few valves, and a bevy of of sensors, all of which work together to spray a fine mist of dihydrogen monoxide into the engine’s collector before it enters the combustion chamber. The result is lower intake temperature, increased density, improved fuel efficiency, and higher performance, which makes sense given similar systems have been used in racing for years.

This time around, water injection boosts the 3.0-liter’s output from 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque all the way up to 493 hp and 442 lb-ft. Combined with its 200-pound weight savings and improved suspension, the limited-edition M4 is quite the capable track car, further evidenced by its exclusive front splitter, rear spoiler, and roll cage.

1 of 6

BMW M4 GTS — Image used with permission by copyright holder

BMW M4 GTS — Image used with permission by copyright holder

BMW M4 GTS — Image used with permission by copyright holder

BMW M4 GTS — Image used with permission by copyright holder

BMW M4 GTS — Image used with permission by copyright holder

BMW M4 GTS — Image used with permission by copyright holder

BMW has released a video of the car lapping the famed Nurburgring, and it accomplishes the feat in just 7:27.88. Not only is that the fastest time for a production BMW to ever lap the ‘Ring, it bests the likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche Carrera GT, and the McLaren MP4-12C, albeit by a hair’s breadth.

Check out the gorgeous HD video of the stunt above, which features racing driver and BMW chassis development guru Joerg Weidinger behind the wheel. As a bonus, Weidinger gives helpful narration on how to properly navigate each of the Nurburgring’s corners, which should come in handy for your next trip to Germany.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Mobile

The 6 best car phone holders in 2024

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger with an iPhone 14 Pro.

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Installing a car phone mount in your vehicle is the best way to make sure that you have easy access to your smartphone when behind the wheel. While you shouldn't be using your phone while driving, having it mounted on your windshield, dashboard, vent, or anywhere else will let you take a quick glance when you're using a navigation app, or to change your playlist when you stop for a traffic light, for example. Instead of having to pick up your device, it will be easier and faster to get these done while it's on a car phone mount for less time of having your eyes off the road.

Cars

Should you buy a used EV? Maybe, but it’s complicated

Electric cars are slowly but surely getting cheaper. Over the past year or so, Ford and Tesla have been discounting their most popular electric cars while other brands, like Rivian, are laying the groundwork for all-new cheaper models.

But you'd still be hard-pressed to call electric cars cheap, and buying a completely new car in the first place is a hurdle in and of itself for many potential buyers. According to Statista, used car sales represented around 74% of all car sales in 2022, and while this figure is likely to change as electric cars get cheaper, the fact remains that most car buyers would prefer to save cash and buy used rather than buy something new.
Buying a new car ain't what it used to be
Buying a car with an electric powertrain doesn't necessarily need to be all that different from buying an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. But there's a little more to it than that.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?

Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.