In the humble opinion of PistonHeads, BMW is back in the habit of making great looking racing cars. Both
M235i Racing
M6 GT3
are good examples, with the two of them soon set to be joined by another - the M4 GT4.
As the name suggests, the GT4 is a rung down the sportscar racing ladder from GT3. The cars are closer to production spec and run less aggressive aero. In the European GT4 Series, the cars include a Maserati GranTurismo, Aston Vantage, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevron GR8, KTM X-Bow and the Sin R1. The new Cayman GT4 Clubsport is eligible too.
For the new M4, BMW has brought together components from both road and race cars. The powertrain (including electronics) has been carried over wholesale from
the road car
, the carbon bonnet is from the
M4 GTS
and the seats, brakes and pedal box use "solutions" carried over from the M6 GT3. Being a motorsport car, there's an exhaust to make lots of noise, new spoilers for additional downforce and carbon fibre to reduce the weight.
With just one rendering released so far from BMW, we can't be absolutely sure of how the M4 GT4 will look. However, if it's anything like the above image then we're in for a treat! BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt says: "The BMW M4 GT4 is designed perfectly for simple use by privateer teams, who can celebrate successes around the world as ambassadors for BMW Motorsport with this model."
The GT4 will begin testing later this year so that the car will be "technically perfected" before it's delivered in late 2017. Its first event will be the 24 Hours of Dubai in 2018. If you are a budding GT superstar, you can register your interest in a GT4 with BMW now.
[Source: GT4Series]
[Image: LAT photo]