Spied: Is a more hardcore BMW M4 GTS model / package on the way?

[schnell325]

From some random guy on a Facebook post:


“”””

This M4 GTS, wears the new engine of the new M3 G80 of 2019 with 500 horses. Like all BMW models that are testing in the 'Ring', after the facelift of the current generation has come out, the M4 GTS is also testing the new M3 G80 engine. For this reason it has the above airfoils, so the above air vents and the overhung spoiler on the bonnet. And also for this reason the inflated wings with the big opening on the sides. Because the new engine needs more air.

“"””

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by schnell325

From some random guy on a Facebook post:


“”””

This M4 GTS, wears the new engine of the new M3 G80 of 2019 with 500 horses. Like all BMW models that are testing in the 'Ring', after the facelift of the current generation has come out, the M4 GTS is also testing the new M3 G80 engine. For this reason it has the above airfoils, so the above air vents and the overhung spoiler on the bonnet. And also for this reason the inflated wings with the big opening on the sides. Because the new engine needs more air.

“"””

I call on that. You don't need a full aero package to test a new engine.

[VCP]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I call on that. You don't need a full aero package to test a new engine.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I call on that. You don't need a full aero package to test a new engine.

Correct my mind was screaming this as reading it. So the engine needs a 4m2 of rear spoiler in every application. No way!

[nicksm3]

Originally Posted by adc

Add more rear camber then. And put 315 rears.

In my experience in order to fully make the 275 fronts wear well, you need over 3 degrees of camber, probably around 3.5. That creates all sorts of compromises for a street car, at least for my annual usage pattern.

Fact is that any high performance front engine RWD car with serious track performance can mount a 305 at the front, after all that’s where most of the weight is. GT350, ZL1 can do this. And so could an M3/4 with just minimal rework to the front fenders and geometry.

Put the super wide track wheels for track work, then switch back to the 265’s for daily driving. All I’m asking is for bmw to allow for this possibility in their next design.

Im surprised you didnt get bashed for this, but I agree 10000 % with you. More meat, better suspension settings and you are doing the Ring in 1LE time, just about. Its common sense. Grip!

[YasF80_SLO]

Originally Posted by Brasko

Looks like testing for a bunch of aftermarket aero bits.

on an actual m4 gts... with OLED taillights. that would be extra expensive aftermarket aero testing..

[gnessel]

I'm going to go ahead and say this is not a prototype of anything. It's just a highly modded customer car.

Why would BMW have the M4 GTS badge on a prototype? That's not their style. No Camo. Headlights are pre-LCI LED's. Why would they be testing with an old model car?

Nothing about this video shouts prototype to me.

[Patrik]

Originally Posted by gnessel

I'm going to go ahead and say this is not a prototype of anything. It's just a highly modded customer car.

Why would BMW have the M4 GTS badge on a prototype? That's not their style. No Camo. Headlights are pre-LCI LED's. Why would they be testing with an old model car?

Nothing about this video shouts prototype to me.

Definitely a test vehicle. If the lack of refinement of the aero doesn’t convince you, then why would a European customer have swapped out the Euro passenger seat for a heavier US-spec one?

[jeff@autocouture]

Originally Posted by gnessel

I'm going to go ahead and say this is not a prototype of anything. It's just a highly modded customer car.

Why would BMW have the M4 GTS badge on a prototype? That's not their style. No Camo. Headlights are pre-LCI LED's. Why would they be testing with an old model car?

Nothing about this video shouts prototype to me.

Everything about this shouts prototype car....

unfinished aero is in its own camo,

Bmw is most likely using this to release a aero line, a new model, or its even an old test car we are just seeing for the first time....

[Dackelone]

Misha Charoudin from APEX filmed this prototype a few days ago...


Go to 03:24... & again at 12:28... for some better close up of the bits and bobs...

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by gnessel

I'm going to go ahead and say this is not a prototype of anything. It's just a highly modded customer car.

Why would BMW have the M4 GTS badge on a prototype? That's not their style. No Camo. Headlights are pre-LCI LED's. Why would they be testing with an old model car?

Nothing about this video shouts prototype to me.

Customer cars aren't parked inside the BMW M Test Centre at the Nurburgring...

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Misha Charoudin from APEX filmed this prototype a few days ago...


Go to 03:24... & again at 12:28... for some better close up of the bits and bobs...

Great find! Pretty much confirms it's an official BMW test mule, being that it's coming out of the BMW Test Center.

Remember when this test mule was lapping the Ring a while ago? Maybe the current one is an evolution of this one.



https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1297401

[SeanWRT]

OK, BMW is test something for sure. But it doesn't make sense to be the S58 engine, because they already have G80 to test it.

It could be the GTS LCI. Pre LCI GTS was already a ugly failure no doubt about it. But at the end of day, financially no bad as they're almost sold out, (albeit most dealers just were dumping it) thanks to limited production. There're a few molds and tooling that's GTS specific that BMW want to continue to capitalize on, that other wise would be scrapped. GTS LCI makes sense as a profitable project - doesn't require much R&D and vehicle validation if any at all, plus production cost is low. They probably will sell most if not all of them, provided it's still a limited run.

Of course they need something new to win back the interest, hence the testing on these stupid aeros. New GTS could have the same or even slightly lower price tag.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by exo-shell

Great find! Pretty much confirms it's an official BMW test mule, being that it's coming out of the BMW Test Center.

Remember when this test mule was lapping the Ring a while ago? Maybe the current one is an evolution of this one.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1297401

Yup, that's what I posted in post #126. And IIRC, that was a test mule for the M4 GT4 aero.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Yup, that's what I posted in post #126. And IIRC, that was a test mule for the M4 GT4 aero.

That it was indeed. I don't think this GTS mule has anything to do with the GT4 (it's far beyond what would even be theoretically possible in that class to the point I'd guarantee it isn't). I also doubt it's hiding an S58 under the hood either just by the sound. To me it's either a rough last stage prototype for an F82 M4 CSL, a test bed for G8x underbody active aero, and/or a HEV G8x tester.

What's more interesting is the F82 M4 CS that occasionally appears near by. That car definitely has something different under the hood with all the 3D Printed Active Aero clearly visible...

[drgmt]

Ironically those most likely to be able to afford a car like this would be the least likely to track it.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by drgmt

Ironically those most likely to be able to afford a car like this would be the least likely to track it.

ironically.. I see many of these cars AT the track. do YOU ever go to a track?

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

ironically.. I see many of these cars AT the track.. do YOU ever go to a track?

At over 300K here in oz, these cars hardly get out the garage let alone to a racetrack.

I'm a doctor not a race driver.

If I did decide to be a race driver in the next life, I would drive a proper race car. Not an M4 comp with a tune and water injection.

[dmboone25]

I wonder how long these will sit on dealer lots once they’re released.

I jest, I jest...

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by lemetier

That it was indeed. I don't think this GTS mule has anything to do with the GT4 (it's far beyond what would even be theoretically possible in that class to the point I'd guarantee it isn't). I also doubt it's hiding an S58 under the hood either just by the sound. To me it's either a rough last stage prototype for an F82 M4 CSL, a test bed for G8x underbody active aero, and/or a HEV G8x tester.

What's more interesting is the F82 M4 CS that occasionally appears near by. That car definitely has something different under the hood with all the 3D Printed Active Aero clearly visible...

Looking at pictures from the 2016 aero mule and comparing to this GTS aero mule, it seems this latest iteration is simply an evolution of the previous one, with an added diffuser under the rear muffler, an new front lip and some additional appendages on the side skits. I seriously doubt this is a prototype for a road going car.

Interesting tidbit about the M4CS

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Looking at pictures from the 2016 aero mule and comparing to this GTS aero mule, it seems this latest iteration is simply an evolution of the previous one, with an added diffuser under the rear muffler, an new front lip and some additional appendages on the side skits. I seriously doubt this is a prototype for a road going car.

Interesting tidbit about the M4CS

If it's for homologation, the fenders would point towards GT3/Super GT rather than GT4 as they have to be road car spec. I cannot think of a reason to test the vents the way they are positioned outside of heat dissipation in motion and when stationary (cooling for electric motors at the wheels perhaps)? In the video clip, there are points where the car is accelerating away rapidly but there's a noticeable lack of exhaust we would be accustomed to. This may also be part of the top of range Z4/Supra powertrain. Back when the F90 was in development, a M760 I spent some time with reappeared months later with the V12 exchanged for the M5 engine and drivetrain.

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by lemetier

If it's for homologation, the fenders would point towards GT3/Super GT rather than GT4 as they have to be road car spec. I cannot think of a reason to test the vents the way they are positioned outside of heat dissipation in motion and when stationary (cooling for electric motors at the wheels perhaps)? In the video clip, there are points where the car is accelerating away rapidly but there's a noticeable lack of exhaust we would be accustomed to. This may also be part of the top of range Z4/Supra. Back when the F90 was in development, a M760 i had spent some time with reappeared months later with the B12 exchanged for the M5 engine and drivetrain.

I can only hope this is for GT3 or GTE testing but I seriously doubt that is the case. The M4 is nearing the end of its production cycle and BMW just released the M8 GT3 car.

Also, another obvious give away is the lack of a wider track that GT3 cars are supposed to have. How amazing would a GT3 spec widebody M4 would look! I get hot flashes just thinking about it.

My speculation is that this is indeed going to be a special edition send off for the M4.

Or maybe we're all wrong and this is going to be another BMW race spec series.