Great M4 GTS & CS review, beautiful pics by motor.es - updated with video -

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Original article here: http://www.motor.es/pruebas-coches/p...201632499.html

Poetically written with amazing photography! translated by yours truly, so pardon my mistakes ;-)

Javier GómaraJavier Gómara
DECEMBER 14, 2016 - 18:00 IST

Test BMW M4 GTS, looking for redemption

Today I am behind the wheel of one of those cars that will leave a big impression: the BMW M4 GTS. The Bavarians have asked for our forgiveness, leaving us clear that they have not forgotten to make great sports cars.

BMW is one of those brands that have something special. Their cars are better than average, and, being German, they have always put a special affection in all their productions. However, the weight of sales figures has forced them to forgo such character until they are convinced by hard numbers: sales volume. That is why we now see SUVs, minivans and three-cylinder engines. But now Munich are asking for our forgiveness with the epic BMW M4 GTS .

The GTS does not pretend to be discreet and its aesthetic is as disrutive as its behavior. It had been a long time since we'd seen something like that leave the BMW plants. The last time that acronym was used the car had the M3 denomination, not M4. The M3 GTS represented the culmination of a legendary generation. But this time they have gone beyond, have gone to a new dimension, and for that we have relied on a technology which, while not new, have revolutionized the concept of sports cars.

The water injection technology is not new. The world of aviation has been using it since the dawn of jet engines. We also saw it in competition a few years ago in Groub B Rally in the 80's. It was then banned because the performance of those cars were so high, they were deemed too dangerous. But the BMW engineers have rescued water injection from the archives and have brought it into a new, extreme package.

And the package of the BMW M4 GTS is as threatening as you would expect. Its matte paint, its carbon fiber wheels, modified nose and hood, its oranges details and especially its wing. They make us see that this car is not a standard BMW. And this car is not intended, nor does it want to be normal. It is designed for one thing: take you to the extreme of your driving skills. A special mention to their OLED rear lights: a technological innovation that will soon be seen in other models of the firm.

The exterior is for the onlookers, but the interior is for you. For your use and enjoyment. The race atmosphere is sensationally evoked through an interior completely redone for the occasion. BMW has sought to lose all possible weight, and to do so have disposed of the rear seats, door panels and much of the center console. Then they have incorporated a safety cage, some racing bits, and a lot of carbon fiber. Although some details that are less sporty have been left alone along the way. And that is not well understood why the BMW M4 GTS does not get rid of everything superfluous. The person who buys the GTS is looking looks for that racing feeling. For my taste, the slimming diet should have been stricter, and BMW should have deleted elements such as the iDrive, sat nav and even the radio, as it did the M3 CSL. This car already has a built-in soundtrack and you do not need anything to disturb it.

But, leaving aside the issue of design and interior, the GTS should draw your attention to something more than its aesthetics: its performance and technology. We are facing such exceptional and unique car. The BMW M4 is already one of the most special cars you can buy these days, but it is nothing compared to his beast brother. It is impressive what can be achieved by adding a little water to the cooling.

The water injection is not new, but BMW has managed to make it functional for the real world. An internal combustion engine is limited by several factors. One is the temperature in the combustion chambers. Excessive levels can cause the appearance of so called engine knocking or self-detonation, causing a loss of performance . This evil affects all cars, but it is the high performance ones that suffer the biggest consequences. Something that is aggravated if turbos are used, because they use part of the exhaust gases, already very hot by themselves. How to solve this problem? Well, the BMW guys have installed a small 5-liter water tank in the trunk. From there the liquid is pushed to the cooling system. Three micro-injectors are responsible for pulverizing the amount necessary to reduce the air temperature to 25 degrees . The necessary thing so that the combustion chambers always operate in perfect conditions. Thanks to it, which seems simple, but it is not, the engine of the M4 GTS is able to work at a greater capacity for longer. How much? Then until the liquid element is finished. BMW estimates that in normal driving will be completed by the water every three or four refueling of gasoline, but if we get into a track day, we need to fill the water tank in a day or less. When the water is depleted, the engine cuts its power into a 431 horses, like in the regular M4..

Now, how is all this technology translated? If we talk about performance, with the water injection, the engine develops 16% more power than a standard M4, reaching 500 hp . The torque increases by 10%, reaching 600 Nm. In terms of performance, the GTS is able to achieve the 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, two tenths less than the M4, and shows a top speed of 305 km/h. It is logical that its Nürburgring lap time is comparable to that of a 911 GT3 or McLaren MP4-12C. Big names indeed.

But we are not here to talk about data or values ​​that alone do not define a car. We are here to find out how good the M4 GTS is. And even better, how it is compared to his "civilized" brother. Luckily during the test I had the occasion to compare both models. Specifically with the most Spanish of the M4, the BMW M4 CS . As you know the Competition Sport is even more powerful than a normal M4 with 450 horses, plus a number of improvements, such as carbon ceramic brakes. Shall we start?

I must say that at first I did not think to find great differences between the two cars. The M4 has always struck me as a difficult beast to tame. In fact, I consider that it is at certain excessive. But believe me when I say that compared to the GTS the M4 CS is like a kitten, a little angel. Now I'll explain why.

I had the luck - or the misfortune - to collect the M4 GTS on a rainy day, with water on the asphalt and with conditions that were extreme for normal driving, so, imagine in a car like the GTS. Wet ground, cold tires ... threatening first miles. I am not going to fool you, I needed some adaptation time. The GTS and I became acquainted with one another by making it very clear to me from the outset that if I mistreated it, I would suffer the consequences. There something that has surprised me is his behavior in normal driving. It is a car, which despite its racing setup, is not overly cumbersome or difficult to drive. Of course, the baquets impede height adjustment, so if you are not very tall, you can have front visibility problems. But despite this it is a manageable car, with its sat-nav, air conditioning, its radio, it has everything you need for your day to day life.

But BMW has not spent many months tuning the GTS to use it for grocery shopping. This car has soul and racing spirit: it's made to clear straightaways, link corners, and enjoy the the smell of burned rubber and gasoline. Its place is the circuit, and not take it there would squander an exceptional car. This is where you really feel it. Forget routine driving, fuel consumption or efficiency, The GTS is a car of sensations, and few cars transmit the same as it does. Just downshift, depress the accelerator pedal fully and get ready for a huge shake accompanied by a glorious sound that envelops you and transports you to another world. One where you and the car are alone.

The M4 GTS is not a car for day to day errands. It wants and needs to runon the track, is its natural environment. And having tamed the car under normal conditions, I enter into the circuit to find my enthusiasm once again dampened by a dense fog that covers everything but at the same time can make the experience more unforgettable, more epic. That's when I discover that BMW developers have not forgotten to make cars as temperamental as they are unique. The GTS is the proof of this.

On the track, the GTS reveals itself and although it is radical, lets you play with it. Despite the wet ground, the 500 horsepower engine, the thunderous sound, the truth is that the GTS is a very fun car. With safety nets activated , you find a good sports car, but I have not come this far to leave them on: I want to face the machine without its electronic nannies. And I tell you that the fight is as glorious as it is unrepeatable.

At the time of doing so, I quickly discover that such a flashy and small wing serves no purpose at all. At every turn the car tends to get his rear end loose. The power delivery is huge, without any interruption. Always ready to tear your head and smile, the GTS is still manageable at high speeds with its steering as precise as it is direct. If you want learn to play more with the car, you have to put it in Comfort mode so you don't have to be quick in correcting it when it oversteers.

This car devours curves as if they are nothing. Its passage through the apex is brutal. And I just needed a couple of corners to know that the GTS leaves behind any touring character of the M4. In the CS you can not keep upwith the GTS at all. Although one derives from the other, the difference in performance is from another planet. As I said, I did not expect so much difference. But there is, and there lies the logic of buying the GTS. That and the exclusivity.

BMW has decided that this jewel is limited. And they have set a high price and a limited number of units . All 700 are sold-out. Each had a starting price of 166,900 euros in Spain, 75,000 euros more than a normal M4, and not counting a set of optional carbon wheels that add 12,000 euros more to final bill. These wheels represent the price of an average small car. But is it really worth paying extra for the GTS?

Conclusion
You have already proven that I have fallen in love with the BMW M4 GTS. It is one of those cars that leaves a mark and you will always remember it. However I must say that the previous question is stupid. Anyone who can buy the GTS will not think about whether or not it is worth the extra price. Simply you have the whim and will buy it. In addition, the GTS is a collector's item and will be used in many cases for speculation. Yes, sadly in a few years we will find units barely used at an exorbitant price. But that's another story. So the exact question is: Is it really worth that 75,000 euros more? Yes, emphatically yes. Just its technology and development are worth it, without forgetting its exclusivity. It is a car of sensations. It is as impressive to drive as to see. BMW has earned everyone's forgiveness. Thanks to these SUVs, minivans and three cylinders engines, the Germans have the possibility to make cars like the GTS. We all look forward to the BMW M4 GT4, the GTS' racing brother.


What we like
- Performance
- Features
- Sound
- Technology

What we liked less
- Interior too well equipped

Assessment
Behavior: 10
Features: 10
Performance: 10
Comfort: 6
Consumption: 8
Safety: 8
Global note: 8.8

For English subtitles click on the subtitles icon and choose English

[VCP]

Thank you sir!

[VCP]

A thought after reading so many threads. The GTS was built for few reasons. Showcase how far M can take a base M coupe and get it as close to track car as possible. Focus on one competitor for most part( we all know who that is ). Develop the GTS for Nurburgring fast time. This is a collector car in every aspect. Sure track it, daily it, whatever, but M set out to achieve goals and they met them. This may hurt some Americans egos but the GTS was not built for the American. They were kind enough to go through painstaking effort to have it comply to North American transport laws so we were able to attain one. Sebring, VIR, drag races, all meaningless to the real focus of this car. It is like having KTM build a outdoor European GP motocross bike and send it over and it gets used on US supercross tracks. Suddenly it's the worst bike ever. You will be lucky to see a GTS and more lucky to ever own one. I can truly relate to the fanboyism that Captain GT4 has been labeled with. It just does it to you. Cheers and happy holidays all

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by VCP

A thought after reading so many threads. The GTS was built for few reasons. Showcase how far M can take a base M coupe and get it as close to track car as possible. Focus on one competitor for most part( we all know who that is ). Develop the GTS for Nurburgring fast time. This is a collector car in every aspect. Sure track it, daily it, whatever, but M set out to achieve goals and they met them. This may hurt some Americans egos but the GTS was not built for the American. They were kind enough to go through painstaking effort to have it comply to North American transport laws so we were able to attain one. Sebring, VIR, drag races, all meaningless to the real focus of this car. It is like having KTM build a outdoor European GP motocross bike and send it over and it gets used on US supercross tracks. Suddenly it's the worst bike ever. You will be lucky to see a GTS and more lucky to ever own one. I can truly relate to the fanboyism that Captain GT4 has been labeled with. It just does it to you. Cheers and happy holidays all

Maybe it has enough adjustments in its suspension and wing settings to make it work for some US tracks, but BMW want you to find them for yourselves ;-). Anyay, I agree with you that the GTS was develop primarily to beat the 911 GT3 at the Nordschleife... What's disappointng is that BMW did not ship the GTS to the US with all its goodies because of the lawyers...

[fatih.aloglu]

Great article;

In Spain, 9 example M4 GTS were imported. The photos of GTS wheels, "M Hybrid wheels Style 681M" only 2 example import in Spain.

[Captain Unknown GT4]

Great pics. Its so clear to me and many that this cars is special. Very much in how it will preforme or not as its so depending on set up, manually thats is. Hence many who drive it will not feel the real GTS.
Even a great read. No where do we know if they drive the Max out lowdown racecar grippy GTS.

I can fully understand most will not as it is deliverd to them in street legal street setup.

At BMW press held launch test(portimao?) where mag guys was invited we saw all but god result as BMW then see to cars was Max out set for GP track. When later on arriving test no one do this. All cars are sold so in the end BMW M dont care.

I drive many cars, at track very much Porsche, so I am not only in to GTS(but hell yes i like very much), so all I say is my mission is to tell some here on this forum that GTS is No turn key car that will do well out of Box. It seems the most eager internet warriors here dont know this.

That this car is more than other cars depending on setup and will diliver from that. What many internet warriors here dont understand is that in aero street setting GTS diliver hardly no downforce at all. But Max aero its give very much and you feel that for real. Dry and very much wet gripp is very depending on this, also laptimes, but most importent the added downforce give you trust and you dare to use care more(vs no downforce)
I would say car will go well on any GP track in the world, but not in high street chassie setting and street aero(close to zero downforce)

[KKSigs]

Thanks for sharing

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by Captain Unknown GT4

Great pics. Its so clear to me and many that this cars is special. Very much in how it will preforme or not as its so depending on set up, manually thats is. Hence many who drive it will not feel the real GTS.
Even a great read. No where do we know if they drive the Max out lowdown racecar grippy GTS.

I can fully understand most will not as it is deliverd to them in street legal street setup.

At BMW press held launch test(portimao?) where mag guys was invited we saw all but god result as BMW then see to cars was Max out set for GP track. When later on arriving test no one do this. All cars are sold so in the end BMW M dont care.

I drive many cars, at track very much Porsche, so I am not only in to GTS(but hell yes i like very much), so all I say is my mission is to tell some here on this forum that GTS is No turn key car that will do well out of Box. It seems the most eager internet warriors here dont know this.

That this car is more than other cars depending on setup and will diliver from that. What many internet warriors here dont understand is that in aero street setting GTS diliver hardly no downforce at all. But Max aero its give very much and you feel that for real. Dry and very much wet gripp is very depending on this, also laptimes, but most importent the added downforce give you trust and you dare to use care more(vs no downforce)
I would say car will go well on any GP track in the world, but not in high street chassie setting and street aero(close to zero downforce)

if you look at the detailed pics, you can see the rear wing is in the middle position and the front spoiler is not extended hence the comment about no downforce from The rear end from the author...

[Captain Unknown GT4]

Yes I did see that, but Do they really tell how they drive it? Still I like the article, thank you very much.

It would not balance out car very well if someone drive that way on track as we see it in pic, front splitter put fully In=(no downforce mode) and rear nr. 1 track aero. That rear give downforce but It would be very strange to set it like that. Front and rear must work togheter. So to match that rear setting in pic front splitter must pull out to match.

Do he drive lowdown GP track setting, We dont know but from pic its high street setting. That would be most logical also to deliver car to tester if there is any street driving involved, hence drive on street to track? Also logical that front splitter is fullly put in no aero mode as fully out not allowed on street. Not that any police would know, but thats the case.


It also very importent to set rear wing in Max attack if wet, at nr. 2. That accually provide real difference in wet. After 1,5 days on a wet and cold SPA i come to realize this.

[Dackelone]

A very nice job!

[filet.M2c]

Good read, but as I've mentioned before the wing on the CS does not flow with the design of the car at all.

[tom @ eas]

Amazing opening post and pics! Well done, Sir.

[MachinesWithSouls]

Does anyone know the name of that amazing blue?

[desertfox73]

Small detail, but why can BMW figure out how to do individually numbered plates on the CS but not on the M5 or M3 Jahre, 1M, etc.??

[SYT_Shadow]

wonderful pics!

Last time I was home (Barcelona) I saw a CS but do not remember it having the rear wing!

[cbertels]

That blue!!

[Daft]

Originally Posted by cbertels

That blue!!

Looks to be San Marino Blue. Love it as well!

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Captain Unknown GT4

Yes I did see that, but Do they really tell how they drive it? Still I like the article, thank you very much.

It would not balance out car very well if someone drive that way on track as we see it in pic, front splitter put fully In=(no downforce mode) and rear nr. 1 track aero. That rear give downforce but It would be very strange to set it like that. Front and rear must work togheter. So to match that rear setting in pic front splitter must pull out to match.

Do he drive lowdown GP track setting, We dont know but from pic its high street setting. That would be most logical also to deliver car to tester if there is any street driving involved, hence drive on street to track? Also logical that front splitter is fullly put in no aero mode as fully out not allowed on street. Not that any police would know, but thats the case.


It also very importent to set rear wing in Max attack if wet, at nr. 2. That accually provide real difference in wet. After 1,5 days on a wet and cold SPA i come to realize this.

So what your saying is that the adjustable wing, front splitter, and water injection are worth more at least the $50k premium over an M4 with comp pkg?


*I'm joking, kinda*

[DL3]

Originally Posted by SoManyBlueCars

Does anyone know the name of that amazing blue?

Guessing "San Marino" Spectacular shade of blue.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

Small detail, but why can BMW figure out how to do individually numbered plates on the CS but not on the M5 or M3 Jahre, 1M, etc.??

The 1M for the U.K did have numbered plates (1 of 400 ) whereas it did not for most other countries. The plates were not individually numbered however.

I'm gonna have to imagine that this detail is paid for the by the local auto group and not BMW AG

[VCP]

Always one...

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

So what your saying is that the adjustable wing, front splitter, and water injection are worth more at least the $50k premium over an M4 with comp pkg?


*I'm joking, kinda*

[Sedan_Clan]

I was hoping for more details about the CS.