Each week our team of experienced senior road testers pick out a new model from the world of innovative, premium and performance badges, and put it through its paces.
JUL 11th 2016
The Goodwood Test: BMW M4 GTS – Hardcore?
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Heritage
OK, since the arrival of the 4 Series this is not actually an M3 any more. But BMW isn't shy about drawing from its lineage of M3 special editions as inspiration for this latest GTS. We're talking cars like the E30 M3 Sport Evolution, the E36 M3 GT, E46 M3 CSL and the previous M3 GTS here – limited run specials aimed squarely at the most passionate of M fanatics and, accordingly, much sought-after by collectors. With prices to match. The previous M3 GTS was a very rare car, with just 150 built. This new one is the first M special to be sold officially in the States, meaning production has been increased to 700 with expectation a significant proportion will go to US BMW fans. The UK is expected to get 30 or so, the £121,280 starting price sealing its exclusivity.
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Design
If you were to ditch the somewhat tacky wing and, arguably, even tackier 'Acid Orange' wheels the M4 GTS would simply appear a more aggressive looking M4. More of the bodywork is made of carbon, including that vented bonnet, and the rear seats have been replaced by a roll cage. As it stands though there's a hint of aftermarket in the GTS's looks that won't be to all tastes, especially at this price point. The cabin isn't as pared back as the last GTS though, retaining a few creature comforts and tastefully trimmed in a minimalist, motorsport influenced style. Don't kid yourself though - unlike earlier M3 specials this isn't a true homologation special. As a consequence you could write it off as a bit of a poser mobile.
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Performance
Well, you could if you never drove it. Because BMW has gone to town on the underpinnings to add real substance to that wild style. Argue the relevance to everyday driving as much as you like but this car's 7min 28sec Nurburgring lap puts it among serious supercars, 911 GT3s and the rest. It's also at least 30 seconds quicker than the standard M4. From suspension hardware to the calibration of stability control and other systems nothing has been left untweaked, the most interesting feature being a water injection system that cools the air coming out of the turbos, permits more boost and delivers 493bhp (500PS) from a 3.0-litre six. It might look a little daft but this is a very, very serious motor car.
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Passion
You'd hope so given it costs twice as much but the M4 GTS is night and day different to drive from the standard M4. There's so much more precision in the control weights, the race style suspension is far more composed and the grip levels on the wider Cup 2 tyres so much higher you can really, really wring its neck without any fear of it defaulting to lurid oversteer like the standard car. True, you only really access its magic in the upper reaches of the performance envelope. And it's arguably a little too much to appreciate on the road. But on the track it's a totally different ball game. In this context £120K for a BMW 4 Series capable of embarrassing far more exotic supercars sounds like a price well worth paying.
Price tag of our car: £123,670 including £2,390 of options
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