What's all this about?

Here's a serious piece of kit for privateer race outfits - it's the BMW M6 GT3, ready for competition use in 2016 and replacing the trusty Z4 GT3 that has gone before it.

Let's not beat around the proverbial - what are the specs?

It uses a version of the road car's 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo M-developed V8 engine, while the M6 GT3 weighs less than 1,300kg. That stonking motor drives the rear wheels through a sequential six-speed gearbox and the M6 has been fine-tuned in the BMW wind tunnel to be as aerodynamically optimised as possible. No word on output figures but it should prove to be very, very fast.

Which series is the M6 GT3 eligible for?

Aside from GT3, obviously? Any running to GT3 spec, and it will also be part of the BMW Sports Trophy.

Can you give me an idea of price?

Well, if you're a private racing type, you'll need to find a net price of €379,000 (around £278,000) for an M6 GT3. BMW does promise it to be 'significantly improved' in the handling characteristics compared to the Z4 GT3, as it has a longer wheelbase and a centrally-mounted driver's seat.

Do I get anything else for my quarter of a million quid?

BMW M6 GT3 customers will benefit from the service of BMW Motorsport support engineers and a trackside supply of spare parts. And if you do decide to splash out on one of these things, go for the livery it was revealed in at the Frankfurt Motor Show - white with M colours is just the perfect Beemer war paint.