By: IOL Motoring Staff
Pebble Beach - BMW's new Concept M4 GTS is the M Division's way of telling us that there's an even beastlier version of the M4 on the horizon.
While the standard coupé is already pretty hardcore in its own right, and one that seeks the best balance between road and track use, the GTS is more focused on circuit driving although it remains road-legal.
Following in the tyre tracks of ancestors such as the 1988 M3 Evolution, 2003 M3 CSL and 2010 M3 GTS, there's every reason to believe that the M4 GTS production model will be faster, lighter and even more agile than the standard M4. We use the word production with some caution though as the special model will almost certainly be built in limited numbers.
BMW won't entertain us with any performance or power figures for now, yet given that the M3 GTS had a 23kW advantage over its standard sibling, the new GTS is certain to offer a decent power hike over the M4's 317kW.
BMW has already divulged that its turbo-charged straight-six will poach the M4 MotoGP Safety Car's water injection system that reduces the engine's tendency to knock, thus allowing for a higher boost pressure and earlier injection timing.
Engineers have also paid meticulous attention to aerodynamic detail with add-ons like the manually adjustable front splitter, wide front air intake and a rear wing that will also come in handy for ironing clothes.
A carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic bonnet is just one of many track-focused solutions that, in this case, helps reduce both weight and centre of gravity.
But do you really want BMW to keep those orange wheels?