The BMW M4 GTS gives BMW M GmbH a new and exclusive technological showpiece which elevates the potential of the BMW M4 Coupe to another impressive new level. With its powerful, motor sport-inspired looks and high-performance technology, the BMW M4 GTS has its sights set squarely on the race track. A lap time of 7.28 minutes around the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the world’s most exacting race circuit, is a clear statement of this special-edition model’s exceptional abilities. At the same time, the sharpest BMW M4 of all – like its BMW M stablemates – can also hold its own on public roads. BMW M GmbH is launching the BMW M4 GTS in a special edition limited to 700 units to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the BMW M3, which has been in production since 1986. In so doing, it is highlighting the innovative flair of the BMW M engineers in developing trailblazing M technologies on the powertrain, chassis and lightweight construction front. The first high-performance special edition in the M3/M4 model range will also be available for the first time in the important North American market.

“Special-edition models like the BMW M3 GT, BMW M3 CSL, BMW M3 GTS and BMW M3 CRT have a decades-long tradition in our mid-size line-up – and that continues with the BMW M4,” says Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “They sharpen the character of the BMW M brand and embody an emotionally rich and exclusive driving experience. We’ve taken a radical route with the set-up of the BMW M4 GTS to create a sports machine for the race track that delivers top-end dynamics and inspirational performance. It allows us to demonstrate what is possible today with a road-legal car. Owners can drive their BMW M4 GTS to circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps, the Nürburgring or Laguna Seca – for clubsport events, for example – and then set lap times there that raise the bar to extremely high levels for road-legal cars.”

Performance boost courtesy of innovative water injection.

At the heart of each and every BMW M model is its engine. The BMW M4 GTS uses the multi-award-winning six-cylinder in-line turbo engine from the BMW M3/M4, but adds innovative water injection technology to give the 3.0-litre unit a substantial power boost. The water injection system raises the engine’s output significantly – to 368 kW/500 hp – and increases torque to 600 Nm (442 lb-ft), yet still keeps fuel economy and CO2 emissions at the level of the BMW M4 Coupe (8.3 litres per 100 km* [34 mpg imp], 194 g/km*). This makes the BMW M4 GTS the most agile, radical and dynamically potent model in the range. It races from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 3.8 seconds and hits a limited top speed of 305 km/h (189.5 mph).

Lightweight design extends into the details.

Intelligent lightweight construction allows the BMW M engineers to limit the car’s DIN kerb weight to 1,510 kilograms (ECE kerb weight: 1,585 kg). Its outstanding weight-to-power ratio of 3.0 kg/hp provides the perfect platform for a highly dynamic driving experience. The rigorous weight-saving measures extend through both the interior and exterior of the car. Inside, carbon-fibre bucket seats, a lightweight centre console, the lightweight construction of the rear seat panelling and boot area partition, and special lightweight door and side panel trim, including door pull loops in place of solid door handles, are clearly visible indications of the designers’ commitment to weight-saving. The rigorous application of lightweight design can also be seen in details that are out of view. The instrument panel bracing tube is made from lightweight carbon fibre. And on the outside of the car, the newly designed bonnet, roof and adjustable front splitter are also constructed from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The adjustable rear wing, too, is cut from this light but extremely durable high-tech material. It rests on intricate, CNC-machined aluminium mounts fixed to the CFRP boot lid which likewise demonstrate how every detail, no matter how small, has been honed to minimise weight. Teaming up with the diffuser – again, made from carbon fibre – below the rear bumper, the rear wing optimises the flow of air and reduces lift at the rear axle. The exhaust system has a titanium muffler, which allows a weight saving of 20 per cent. Its emotionally rich soundtrack fits the M profile perfectly and envelops the inside and outside of the car in the ambience of the race track.

Performance-maximising equipment features.

The standard-fitted seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) selects the optimum ratio for every driving situation with no interruption in the flow of power as it makes its way to the rear wheels. The driver can also select gears manually using either shift paddles on the steering wheel or the selector lever. The Drivelogic shift programs and Launch Control have been retuned to the engine’s increased output. The weight-minimised, exclusive M light-alloy wheels in star-spoke 666 M Styling are forged and polished, and come in Acid Orange. They are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (front: 265/35 R19, rear: 285/30 R20) which are adapted specifically to the BMW M4 GTS and therefore play a role in the car’s outstanding mechanical traction and feedback through corners.

The three-way M coilover suspension specially tuned for the BMW M4 GTS can be adjusted to individual tastes and therefore also to the demands of different race circuits. The lightweight M carbon ceramic brakes offer a well-defined pressure point and ensure outstanding deceleration even under sustained heavy loads, such as at the limit on the race track.

World-exclusive OLED technology, brilliant LED light.

The familiar two sets of twin circular headlights with four corona rings ensure the best possible illumination of the road surface. They combine cutting-edge LED (light-emitting diode) technology with BMW Selective Beam (dazzle-free high beam assistant) and Adaptive Headlights.

The L-shaped rear lights are just as distinctive as the design of the headlights. Indeed, innovative OLED rear lights will make their series-production debut in the BMW M4 GTS. OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) are a new kind of light source that light up over their full surface with a very homogeneous effect – unlike LED units, which emit their light in the form of points. The flat design of OLEDs (they measure just 1.4 millimetres in height) and the ability to trigger individual light modules separately open up fresh possibilities for lighting concepts and exudes the presence of exceptional precision. As such, the tail lights underline the width of the rear end, lend the car an even more eye-catching and powerful appearance and ensure it cuts a stand-out figure in both the light and dark.

The interior – focused, exclusive and committed to motor sport.

The carbon-fibre M bucket seats for the driver and passenger stick firmly with the lightweight construction theme inside the pure-bred, exclusive interior. They weigh around 50 per cent less than the sports seats in the BMW M4 Coupe, enable an ideal seating position and offer compelling long-distance comfort to go with their unbeatable levels of support. The exclusive Alcantara/Merino leather seat covering along with M stripes in the backrests, three-point seat belts and door pull loops highlight the profile of the BMW M4 GTS as a high-performance sports machine as well as the car’s standalone character. The M4 GTS is fitted with different bucket-style M sports seats (including lightweight backrests with cut-outs) for the North American market, in line with local registration requirements.

The exclusive material Alcantara is also used for the M sports steering wheel, whose “12 o’clock” marker underlines the racing character of the BMW M4 GTS. In place of a rear seat bench, the BMW M4 GTS features a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) shelf and a rear panel in carbon-fibre sandwich construction. Both are covered in Alcantara, and together they enable a weight saving of around 40 per cent.

The optional Clubsport Package can further enhance the affinity of the BMW M4 GTS with the race track. It includes a roll bar in Acid Orange behind the front seats, a race-specification six-point harness** and a fire extinguisher.

BMW's M division rolled out the latest variation of the 4 Series, the new M4 CS, this week at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show. Slotting between the M4 with the Competition Package and the hardcore M4 GTS, the new CS takes bits from both cars and distills them into a fast but not totally track-focused machine. Even better news, the M4 CS will be making its way to the US. BMW says this new model fills out the lineup and provides a template for future models: base M car, M with Competition Package, M CS, and a range-topping M GTS.

In the M4 CS, BMW's 3.0-liter inline-six gets a 10-horsepower bump over the Competition Package for a total output of 460 horsepower. The engine features two single-scroll turbochargers, a charge air cooler, and both variable valve timing and double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. The only available transmission is BMW's seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, or M DCT. The M4 CS hits 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, just behind the rated time for the M4 GTS. For those that care, the Nürburgring lap time is 7 minutes and 38 seconds, 10 seconds off the M4 GTS and right on top of cars from Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari.

The suspension on the M4 CS is generally the same as that found on the M4 Competition Package. There is extensive use of aluminum for both rigidity and weight savings. The M4 CS comes standard with BMW's Adaptive M suspension, allowing it to be tuned for both the road and the track. The M4 CS also gets M Dynamic Mode and the Active M Differential, though the tuning has been modified for the CS. A staggered wheel setup - 19x9-inch up front, 20x10-inch out back - is paired with Michelin Sport Cup 2 summer tires, though a less aggressive Michelin compound can be optioned for no extra charge.

The interior and exterior of the M4 CS are a mix of parts from both the Competition package and the GTS. Like with the suspension, there has been a focus on both increasing rigidity and reducing weight. The hood and roof are made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic while door lightweight door panels are made from compacted natural fibers. Door handles are dropped in favor of pull straps that feature the three M division stripes. The thin, lightweight seats are trimmed with leather and Alcantara. Unlike the GTS, the M4 CS still has a back seat.

The CS gets a few trim pieces that are exclusive to this package. There is an exposed carbon-fiber front splitter up front and Gurney flap out back. The carbon fiber rear diffuser is borrowed from the M4 GTS, as are the new LED tail lights. Overall it's a handsome design that's far more subtle than the big-winged M4 GTS.

Pricing for the US hasn't been announced, but expect it to sit around the $100,000 mark, far less than the $133,205 base price of the M4 GTS. Look for final pricing and US specific details some time in the next few months.

The new BMW 4 Series.

Endowed with an aesthetic appeal and dynamic flair all of its own, the BMW 4 Series has stood out with its supremely assured and stylish air ever since its launch. A total of nearly 400,000 sales worldwide (up to the end of 2016) is testimony to the tremendous allure of the BMW 4 Series, whose story began in 2013 with the arrival of the BMW 4 Series Coupe. The following year, it was joined by the BMW 4 Series Convertible and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe to create a complete model family. The cars are manufactured in Munich (BMW 4 Series Coupe), Regensburg (BMW 4 Series Convertible) and Dingolfing (BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe).

The new BMW 4 Series models write the next chapter in this success story with even sharper styling and revised suspension.

Accentuating the sporty character.

Restyled LED headlights take the place of the outgoing cars’ xenon units. And all models in the range are equipped with LED front foglamps as standard. The LED rear lights fitted on the BMW 4 Series for the first time give extra impact to the car’s powerful looks. Modified air intakes, line-specific applications and the new rear apron add further striking touches.

Moving inside, the new electroplated detailing, chrome applications and centre console in high-gloss black reinforce the exclusive, high-quality feel. Another visual highlight is the double stitching on the instrument panel, while three new upholstery colours together with three new interior trim strips provide even greater choice when it comes to personalising the interior’s design.

The two new exterior paint finishes Snapper Rocks Blue and Sunset Orange are available exclusively for the new BMW 4 Series models, and there is also one new model-specific wheel design each for the Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport equipment lines. An abundance of additional equipment options offers ample scope for tailoring the car to individual tastes.

Revised suspension.

The new BMW 4 Series Coupe and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe now come with a stiffer suspension set-up delivering even sportier handling without any loss of ride comfort. Both the lateral and longitudinal dynamics have been improved, regardless of the load on board. This applies not only to the standard suspension, but also to the M Sport suspension and the Adaptive suspension. All new BMW 4 Series models now boast even more assured straight-line stability and more communicative steering.

31 model and powertrain variants.

All of the petrol engines and the four-cylinder diesel units fitted in the new BMW 4 Series range stem from the latest BMW EfficientDynamics family of engines and are equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. There are three petrol engines (BMW 420i, BMW 430i and BMW 440i) and three diesel options (BMW 420d, BMW 430d, BMW 435d xDrive) available for all of the new BMW 4 Series models.

The power output of the petrol-engined BMW 4 Series model variants ranges from 135 kW / 184 hp in the BMW 420i up to 240 kW / 326 hp in the BMW 440i (fuel consumption combined: 7.9 – 5.5 l/100 km [35.8 – 51.4 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 185 – 127 g/km). When it comes to the diesel line-up, meanwhile, the power spectrum extends from 140 kW / 190 hp in the BMW 420d up to the 230 kW / 313 hp of the BMW 435d xDrive (fuel consumption combined: 5.9 – 4.0 l/100 km [47.9 – 70.6 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 155 – 106 g/km).

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is available in a further diesel variant – the BMW 418d with an output of 110 kW / 150 hp (fuel consumption combined: 4.5 – 4.1 l/100 km [62.8 – 68.9 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 118 – 107 g/km).

A total of twelve model variants are available with the option of BMW xDrive, while the BMW 435d xDrive comes with the intelligent all-wheel-drive system as standard – in Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe guise.

New navigation and instrumentation displays.

The optional Navigation system Professional for the new BMW 4 Series now features an interface with large tile-style control pads that is even easier to use. The control pads can be arranged as desired and display a constantly updated version of the linked menu content, making operation even more intuitive for users.

The BMW 4 Series range can be optionally fitted with the Multifunctional Instrument Display, giving the driver the choice of different visualisation options for all displays depending on the driving experience mode selected.

Sharper design for the BMW M4, too.

The BMW M4 Coupe and BMW M4 Convertible now come as standard with the adaptive full-LED headlights. And the newly designed full-LED rear lights again freshen up appearances and inject technical appeal. Besides this, a number of styling touches have been added to give the cabin of the sportiest BMW 4 Series variants an even more sophisticated air. And the two M4 models likewise feature the updated version of the Navigation system Professional and other ConnectedDrive features.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: “Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen” (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publicat...nsumption.html. LeitfadenCO2 (GuidelineCO2) (PDF ‒ 2.7 MB)