It's no big secret that BMW has never been high on my list of cars to own, in fact the only BMW product I have ever owned was a 1974 BMW 2002. For me BMW is synonymous with overpriced, overrated, and other than the Z series of cars... plain to look at. But then the 4 Series came out, it was the right size, the performance numbers were impressive and it didn't look like a Toyota Camry with a body kit. I had the chance to drive a friends M4 a few weeks ago and was completely smitten with the car's handling and performance and I could see why he had made his choice over the F-type from Jaguar (I still love the looks of a F-Type Coupe over the BMW).
Limited to just 700 units worldwide and just 300 for the USA the M4 GTS uses an innovative water injection system to push 493 bHP through the race tuned chassis. Everything on the GTS is designed to make it the ultimate version of the M4.
“Special Edition models sharpen the character of the BMW M brand and embody an emotionally rich and exclusive driving experience. We’ve taken a radical route with the set-up of the BMW M4 GTS to create a sports machine for the race track that delivers top-end dynamics and inspirational performance. It allows us to demonstrate what is possible today with a road-legal car. Owners can drive their BMW M4 GTS to circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps, the Nürburgring or Laguna Seca – for clubsport events, for example – and then set lap times there that raise the bar to extremely high levels for road-legal cars.” says Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH.
The BMW M division’s engineers developed a water injector system in the intake plenum chamber where each supply water to two of the straight-6 engine’s cylinders. Hidden in the floor of the trunk is a 1.3 gallon water tank, the water pump, sensors and valves. Even in highway driving, the water tank only needs topping up at every fifth refueling interval. Otherwise the system is maintenance-free meaning you can drive your GTS everyday.
BMW M4 GTS features three-way adjustable coilover suspension with mechanically adjustable compression and rebound settings, working in conjunction with M designed anti-roll bars the car can be set up for various tracks with minimal effort. Lightweight aluminum control arms, wheel carriers and axle subframes reduce unsprung weight on all four corners. Carbon fiber is also used extensively throughout the M4 GTS to make it as light as possible, such as the roof panel which saves 13lbs. Everything that could be lighter is lighter from the carbon fiber strut brace to the titanium exhaust components no part of the car was left untouched. All of this trimming means the GTS is just over 200lbs lighter than a standard M4 Coupe. The car does get additional aero including a boy racer spoiler.
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