Spied: BMW M4 GTS production prototype bares its GTS goodies [updated w/ VIDEO]

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by esquire

Agree - this does look much better in white. Makes the car actually look good. But I'm having a hard time identifying why I would buy the GTS instead of getting my own water injection cooler, buying the cf hood and other aero from IND, choosing any aftermarket wing and wheels I want - all presumably for MUCH less than the difference in price between a GTS and an M4.

The problem here is the modifications to the engine aren't significant enough. Obviously I have to reserve judgement for the final product (who knows how much weight reduction they manage to eek out) but so far in not seeing the cost benefit calculus (even taking into consideration the value from the rarity of the car).

You forgot the words of wisdom of Herr Gerhard Richter.
When you take a BMW M product aftermarket it is no longer a BMW M.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Those wheels are hideous. Hope it changes.

[SCOTT26]

Fascinating reading some of the updates here.
The M4 GTS addresses issues some of you want in an M4 but yet a minority of you do not like the execution when for a conceptual production model it certainly shows the extent of BMW M and the road to the future.

Its lighter, innovative,more focused and has more performance without sacrificing precision.
The entire top section of the car is fabricated from CFRP from the bonnet,roof,boot lid and spoiler. No one else is at this level of CFRP pioneering.

You probably won't like the M4 CSL either.

[///Matthew]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

when did bmw start manufacturing diving boards and wheels for volkswagen?

Yeah, really...

[MPNGAO_M4]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Fascinating reading some of the updates here.
The M4 GTS addresses issues some of you want in an M4 but yet a minority of you do not like the execution when for a conceptual production model it certainly shows the extent of BMW M and the road to the future.

Its lighter, innovative,more focused and has more performance without sacrificing precision.
The entire top section of the car is fabricated from CFRP from the bonnet,roof,boot lid and spoiler. No one else is at this level of CFRP pioneering.

You probably won't like the M4 CSL either.

Wait did you just drop an M4 CSL hint!!!!

[adc]

Originally Posted by esquire

But I'm having a hard time identifying why I would buy the GTS instead of getting my own water injection cooler, buying the cf hood and other aero from IND, choosing any aftermarket wing and wheels I want - all presumably for MUCH less than the difference in price between a GTS and an M4.

Your CF hood and other aero from IND will probably make you slower on track, since not one of them has been near a wind tunnel.

The aftermarket wing will look similar and perform similarly to the OEM, when properly chosen and installed - so it's a draw.

Your cobbled together water injection system may work or not, and may harm the engine or not.

For all these troubles, you will end up with a slower, modified M4 without a warranty, and in unsaleable condition. Have fun.

[Bokke]

The car looks better in person.

Can't wait to see it in jet black!

Here is a close up pick of the wing settings I took.

[SickFinga]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

You probably won't like the M4 CSL either.

Originally Posted by ///Matthew

Yeah, really...

He did say diving boards though

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by blefevre

Well they fixed one part - the overplayed/outdated Frozen color!

Why they didn't make a bespoke front with the lip more integrated is beyond me. You can't possibly tell me that the M4 front bumper is already 100% perfect aerodynamically and it just so happens that by putting a big lip on it is the best solution for a track car. They made an all new hood, why not a purpose built front? Less tacked on lip...more M4 DTM style!

And it doesn't even look like the diffuser is functional. The overall package isn't very "purpose built". Don't fool yourself in believing the ugliness is because racecar.

Cost and homologation for street legality.

Creating a brand new front end would be cost prohibitive due to crash testing requirements and rehomologation. Adding a carbon fibre element with an extractable lip makes pedestrian protection testing etc much simpler AFAIK.

And they actually need to have that large lip to create enough downforce in my understanding. Problem is that there is legislation prohibiting bodywork protruding in front of the cars defined front point (the front bumper basically). That's why the lip has to be pushed in during street driving and can only be in it's extracted position on the track.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by MasterC17

I'm sorry, but BMW dropped the ball HARD here. This thing is hideous. I loved the E46 CSL, loved the E92 GTS, but this is just gross. The wheels are awful. The front lip is awful. The rear wing is awful. I would much prefer a regular F82 w/ full M Performance Aero, JB4, and a set of the MPSC2's. And guess what, it would probably be faster too

Really disappointing is all I can say.

Rear wing looks allmost exactly like the one on the E92 GTS...

And good luck with a JB4 piggyback outperforming the GTS lap after lap on a track. This is not just a few dyno runs or one pass down the drag strip performance... Not to mention lacking the downforce of the GTS aero vs the LIFT on the std M4 aero...

Yeah, sure the JB4 M4 will be faster...

[Peertwelve]

Originally Posted by AW BMW

I like it better in alpine white.

Yes and such a rare color!

[SickFinga]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Cost and homologation for street legality.

Creating a brand new front end would be cost prohibitive due to crash testing requirements and rehomologation. Adding a carbon fibre element with an extractable lip makes pedestrian protection testing etc much simpler AFAIK.

And they actually need to have that large lip to create enough downforce in my understanding. Problem is that there is legislation prohibiting bodywork protruding in front of the cars defined front point (the front bumper basically). That's why the lip has to be pushed in during street driving and can only be in it's extracted position on the track.

I'm not sure why people bitch about the lip. First of all, M3 CRT has a red accent on the lip as well. Second of all, it is extendable. M3 GT lip wasn't exactly the best looking feature either when extended.



Thirdly, M3 GTS has the exact same wing, so I'm not sure what people expected here.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by esquire

Agree - this does look much better in white. Makes the car actually look good. But I'm having a hard time identifying why I would buy the GTS instead of getting my own water injection cooler, buying the cf hood and other aero from IND, choosing any aftermarket wing and wheels I want - all presumably for MUCH less than the difference in price between a GTS and an M4.

The problem here is the modifications to the engine aren't significant enough. Obviously I have to reserve judgement for the final product (who knows how much weight reduction they manage to eek out) but so far in not seeing the cost benefit calculus (even taking into consideration the value from the rarity of the car).

Just to clarify. You say "water injection cooler". The water injection system is not a cooling system for the interccoler, but a system that injects a mist of water into the intake air going to the engine. To have any advantage from the water injection you also need the software mapping that adapts ignition timing and boost levels to create more power allowed by the water injection. Higher knock resistance allows for more aggressive ignition timing and boost.

Aftermarket, or tuner, aero are developed for looks, not for downforce. Most tuners know that their exterior products are chosen for looks and not to add downforce. They simply design them to look good and doesn't bother about expensive aero tunnel work. "Tuner aero" can actually do the opposite of what you want and generate more lift instead of downforce. Or it can create undesired turbulence that disturbs cooling, air intake or drag resistance.

For a street car, tuner aero is just fine cause it's just for looks. For a track car, not so much...

[Adem1534]

I think it looks downright amazing. Especially the wheels. They look so good on Alpine white.

[bmellion]

Originally Posted by EndBosS

Damn, so bad looking...

The wheels are horrendous!!

[bmellion]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

Those wheels are hideous. Hope it changes.

Agreed...

[Stacks13]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Just to clarify. You say "water injection cooler". The water injection system is not a cooling system for the interccoler, but a system that injects a mist of water into the intake air going to the engine. To have any advantage from the water injection you also need the software mapping that adapts ignition timing and boost levels to create more power allowed by the water injection. Higher knock resistance allows for more aggressive ignition timing and boost.

Aftermarket, or tuner, aero are developed for looks, not for downforce. Most tuners know that their exterior products are chosen for looks and not to add downforce. They simply design them to look good and doesn't bother about expensive aero tunnel work. "Tuner aero" can actually do the opposite of what you want and generate more lift instead of downforce. Or it can create undesired turbulence that disturbs cooling, air intake or drag resistance.

For a street car, tuner aero is just fine cause it's just for looks. For a track car, not so much...

I'm pretty sure he meant he would buy the OEM hood and lip, not aftermarket or tuner aero.

[inFamousKicks]

Looks better in white, for sure. BMW should just trash the orange accents tho.

[M3 n X5M]

The Competition pkg wheels of the e90 and e92 are beautiful. These new wheels are not attractive.

The car looks like a ricer 435i.

[rzm3]

I hope BMW will at least have 19" rims available instead of the 20" rears shown on the concept...

[technik330]

Not today Toretto.

In other news, 99% of women will think this is a modified 435i.

[raysspl]

That rear wing will forever look out of place, regardless of functionality.