To the Bat-cave, Robin!
Hold on, let's not break out the Adam West impressions just yet - BMW isn't supplying the wheels for Ben Affleck's new Batman. What we meant was that BMW has a spiritual successor to those glorious 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' racers of the seventies ready to roll. Welcome, world, to the BMW M6 GT3.
So, it's not got rocket launchers, an atomic turbine or Bat-shark-repellent spray then?
Erm, no. The original CSL 'Batmobile' was so called because it had massive wings and spoilers. The new M6 GT3, shown here in sketch form, sadly won't look quite so outrageous, but with that massive front air dam and towering rear wing, covered in M Sport blue, red and violet, it's still pretty frikkin' awesome.
It replaces the Z4 GT3 racer and is designed for customer teams to buy and race, which they'll be able to do from early next year. The engine is based on the road-going M6's 4.4-litre twin-turbo unit because, let's face it, if your production engine already has 560hp, why would you need to make a bespoke racing version? Expect the M6 to be stripped to the bone to save weight and be astonishing around corners thanks to suspension witchcraft currently being crafted by BMW Motorsport in Munich. That team is also developing racing-spec versions of the road car's seven-speed gearbox, its anti-lock brakes and electronic systems.
Hilariously, BMW is also looking at keeping the car's running costs under control, so that more teams can afford to buy and run one.
"For me, as BMW Motorsport Director, there are few things more exciting than the development of a completely new car like the BMW M6 GT3," said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. "This car's properties make it predestined to succeed the BMW Z4 GT3. The BMW Z4 GT3 has enjoyed success around the world in recent years, and is very popular among our customers. We obviously want to follow on from this success with the BMW M6 GT3. After all, the target we have set ourselves is to provide our customers with the best possible material. We also want to demonstrate the high product substance of BMW M cars in motorsport with the BMW M6 GT3. We are all very excited to see it in action at the initial tests. One thing is certain from the first design sketches: this car is going to have the wow factor. It goes without saying that we will continue to offer BMW Z4 GT3 customers our full support, just as they have come to expect from us."
But can it catch The Joker?
Look, you really haven't been paying attention have you?
Neil Briscoe - 16 Oct 2014