BMW has revealed a powered-up, stripped-down, tracked-focused version of its M4 performance coupé at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the form of the M4 GTS concept.
The M4 GTS concept features aerodynamic modifications in the form of a new carbon-fibre reinforced plastic bonnet, a prominent adjustable front splitter, large rear wing and a modified rear diffuser. The bonnet gets a centrally located scoop to assist with cooling along with a prominent power bulge. The rear tail-lamps have been tweaked and are now OLED units.
The engine powering the M4 GTS concept is based on the M4 MotoGP safety car. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder unit gets the addition of a water injection system that injects water vapour into the intake manifold to cool the air entering the engine. No additional information has been revealed about the engine, except that it is likely to develop about eight percent more power. This means that the engine output is expected to be around 460bhp as compared to the 425bhp of the standard M4. To keep the engine cool, BMW has added two more radiators along with a revised intercooler and a water pump. The car’s chassis and suspension have also been modified.
There are no details about the interiors, though, BMW is expected to strip the production car of all unnecessary features to keep the car as light as possible keeping in mind its track-focused image.
BMW is expected to launch the production M4 GTS internationally, sometime in 2016. The model will continue in the brand’s tradition of developing special M division models which currently include the M3 Sport Evolution (1990), BMW M3 GT (1995), BMW M3 CLS (2003), M3 GTS (2010) and M3 CRT (2011).