As any true petrolhead can tell you, there are cars that transport you from point A to point B – and then there are cars that ignite the soul. The BMW M4 GTS is firmly in the latter category.
A car designed not only to transport its owners in style to the race circuit, but also set some searing laps times before driving home again, the limited-edition, motorsport-bred masterpiece represents the pinnacle of what BMW’s M division can engineer when performance, innovation and legacy collide.
Limited to only 700 units worldwide, this rare beast not only celebrated 30 years of the legendary BMW M3, but also marked a bold chapter in BMW’s century-long journey of automotive excellence.
The Legacy of BMW M: A history of performance perfection
To truly understand the M4 GTS, one must first appreciate the impeccable pedigree of BMW M GmbH. Originally founded in 1972 as BMW Motorsport GmbH, the M division, headed by former racing driver Jochen Neerpasch, began with a focus on dominating race tracks before turning its attention to the road.
As well as being responsible for motoring icons such as the M1, a mid-engine supercar that blurred the line between racetrack and road, BMW’s M division is also responsible for developing the first turbocharged engine to power a car to the Formula One World Championship title, and turning the Group A BMW M3 into the world’s most successful touring car to date.
But it was the homologation version of the BMW M3 (E30), launched in 1986, that forever redefined what a road-going sports saloon could be. Light, agile, and track-ready out of the box, the M3 became the benchmark for performance coupes, cementing itself in motoring folklore.
As the years passed, the groundbreaking formula remained, with BMW following its iconic original with revered special editions for each new generation as the model evolved. Models like the E36 M3 GT, E46 M3 CSL, E92 M3 GTS and E92 M3 CRT – each taking the concept to new extremes. With the release of the BMW M4 GTS in 2016, this rich tradition of M performance excellence continued, with this stunningly engineered halo model sitting atop a lineage of precision-engineered performance heroes.
Track-Bred Engineering: A closer look at the M4 GTS
Distinguished by its exclusive Frozen Dark Grey Metallic paint punctuated with lurid Acid Orange accents, the BMW M4 GTS is no mere cosmetic upgrade over the standard M4 – it’s an entirely different animal, built with one goal in mind: absolute performance. Based on the already potent M4 Coupe, the GTS takes the formula to the edge of legality and well into motorsport territory.
At its heart is a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, familiar from the standard M4, but now enhanced with innovative water injection technology – a first in a production BMW. This innovative system sprays a fine mist of water into the intake manifold plenum chamber, where it evaporates, absorbing heat energy from the surrounding air and significantly cooling the intake charge by around 25° C. This in turn reduces the final compression temperature, improving oxygen density and allowing higher boost pressure and advanced spark timing to be run without the risk of incurring engine damaging detonation. The result? An output of 500bhp and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque, a leap of over 16% from the standard M4’s 425bhp, all while reducing thermal stress on performance related components and prolonging engine life.
This advanced powertrain catapults the M4 GTS from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.8 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 189.5 mph. Yet, astonishingly, it maintains fuel economy and emissions figures on a par with the standard M4 – 33 mpg imp and CO2 of 199 g/km – an astounding achievement that is testament to BMW’s engineering prowess.
But performance isn’t just about raw power; it’s about how you apply it. The M4 GTS is dripping in intelligent lightweight construction techniques, combining to tip the scales at just 1,510kg (3,329 lbs). This gives it a stellar power-to-weight ratio of 3.0kg/hp, enabling razor-sharp responsiveness.
The use of lightweight carbon-fibre is widespread: the bonnet, roof, adjustable front splitter, rear wing, diffuser, strut brace and propshaft, and even internal structural components like the instrument panel bracing tube, all use the exotic composite material, while the ultra light titanium exhaust system with quad 80mm tailpipes saves an additional 20% in weight and emits a guttural, motorsport-inspired roar that’s pure M.
Inside, the Alcantara-clad cabin is a spartan yet premium place to be. The all carbon-fibre bucket seats – that are exceptionally strong yet 50% lighter than standard M4 sports seats – provide unmatched lateral support for both driver and a lucky passenger. Unfortunately, only two occupants can experience the thrill of this focussed machine at any one time, because, unlike the standard M4, instead of a rear bench seat, the GTS has been equipped with a GFRP shelf and carbon-fibre rear bulkhead, underscoring the car’s commitment to performance over practicality. Other interior details like door pull loops, lightweight door cards, a 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel, and a ClubSport package (with roll bar and six-point harness) reinforce its race-readiness.
Underpinning the M4 GTS is unique suspension system equipped with lightweight forged aluminium control arms, wheel carriers and subframes. Connected to the three-way adjustable M coilover suspension, tailor-made for the rigors of track use but adaptable for various circuits and personal preferences, these allow the precise geometry to be retained under the most extreme cornering conditions. Reigning in the speed is a set of ultra-high-performance M carbon-ceramic brakes providing an extended service life along with fade-resistant stopping power and a precise pedal feel, even during intense high-speed track sessions.
The exclusive forged, machine-polished 666 M star-spoke alloy wheels – painted on their inside edges in a striking Acid Orange – are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres developed specifically for this car, providing phenomenal grip and feedback. With this setup, the M4 GTS achieved a blistering 7m28s lap time at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, shaving a full 24 seconds off the time of the standard M4, and putting it squarely in the territory of genuine supercars.
Visually, the M4 GTS leaves no doubt about its intent. Aggressively sculpted aero elements like the adjustable carbon-fibre splitter and high-level rear wing serve both form and function, adding visual aggression and tangible downforce at speed. The rear end is distinguished by OLED tail lights, a world-first in series production. These ultra-thin, uniformly lit organic diodes not only enhance night-time visibility but also add a futuristic aesthetic edge.
While the standard M4 is a brilliant all-rounder, capable of both daily driving and track thrills, the GTS is unapologetically focused, shedding comfort for cornering precision and practicality for power. It’s a true track weapon, homologated for the road.
Investing in a future classic
Beyond the numbers, the BMW M4 GTS is certainly a car for the discerning enthusiast or collector – someone who values driving purity and appreciates engineering innovation. It sits among the most coveted BMW M specials, following in the hallowed footsteps of the original E30 M3, the E46 M3 CSL and E92 M3 GTS.
It’s a historically significant model too: a celebration of 30 years of the M3/M4, and a showcase of how far BMW’s M division has evolved in terms of performance, materials science, and motorsport technology transfer – all attributes that combine to make the M4 GTS an enticing investment opportunity too.
In a world of increasingly digitalized and sanitized performance cars, the M4 GTS stands as a raw, visceral, analog experience wrapped in cutting-edge tech. It’s not just a car – it’s a statement, a coveted collectible, and a conduit connecting driver to machine with nothing lost in translation.
For those lucky enough to own one of the 700 examples, the BMW M4 GTS is not just the sharpest M4 ever made – it’s a rolling piece of BMW M history.
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