What's new from BMW?
It's the M4 GTS, the most hardcore road-going M4 money can buy. Its aerodynamic enhancements are obvious, as are its fancy OLED rear lights, but underneath there's a lot more going on.
Such as?
Water injection for the engine for a start, allowing more power and torque to be safely extracted from the twin-turbo straight-six while being more efficient at full throttle. There's a considerable jump in output too, power up from 431hp in the regular M4 to 500hp in the GTS, while torque increases from 550- to 600Nm. The net result is a 3.8-second 0-62mph dash (0.3 seconds faster than the standard M4 equipped with the same M DCT dual-clutch transmission) and a 'limited' top speed of 189mph.
Nice! But how soon does it run out of water?
Well, there's a five-litre tank in the boot supplying water to three injectors in the intake plenum at about 10-bar pressure. The injection quantities are controlled according to engine speed, load and temperature and there's a failsafe mechanism in case the tank runs dry unexpectedly. However, BMW claims that, even with hard use on track, the water tank would only need to be topped up when the car is refuelled. In fast motorway use it's only ever fifth time it's refuelled.
Any chassis updates to handle the extra power?
Carbon ceramic brakes are standard, as hinted at by the gold-painted callipers, but there has been a lot of detail work done too to make the car even sharper and better suited to a lot of track time. The steering system has been overhauled (and I don't mean a software upgrade), the Active M Differential at the rear has had a few modifications and the anti-roll bars are thicker. On top of all that BMW fits adjustable coilover suspension to all four corners of the GTS, allowing particularly experienced owners to adjust the compression and rebound for themselves.
It's beginning to sound a little senior...
Indeed it is. Owners can adjust the aerodynamics too, with a two-position front splitter and three-mode rear spoiler.
I had noticed that.
You can't miss it, but it is worth a closer look. The aero element itself is made from carbon fibre, but it's held in place above the boot lid by exquisitely detailed aluminium support struts. Actually, the car is bristling with details to pore over. The exhaust tips are now 80mm in diameter, for example, and the bonnet, featuring a deep air outlet, is made of carbon fibre. Less obvious is the high-gloss black finish for the kidney grilles and side gills. Topping it all off is a set of bespoke alloy wheels with an 'Acid Orange' finish. They measure 9.5x19-inch up front and 10.5x20-inch at the rear and are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
Is that more orange inside?
Yes, the M4 GTS in the images features the optional (at no extra cost) Clubsport Package, which includes an Acid Orange roll cage, fire extinguisher and six-point harnesses. All examples do without rear seats and have lush leather-lined carbon fibre bucket seats up front. In spite of such niceties as satnav, air conditioning and parking sensors as standard, BMW has gone to a lot of effort to differentiate the cabin of the GTS from other M4s. Alcantara is used on the gorgeous steering wheel, on the dashboard and simplified centre console. Meanwhile, the door panels have been redesigned and look more like something you'd see on a racer with numbers on the outsides of those doors. Even the regular pull handles are ditched in favour of lightweight fabric loops.
Fabulous. When can I get one?
You'd better be quick, as BMW will only produce 700 examples of the M4 GTS and only 30 are earmarked for the UK. It goes on sale in March at £120,770 on-the-road.
Shane O' Donoghue - 6 Oct 2015