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First Look: 2016 BMW M4 GTS by Henny Hemmes +VIDEO


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2016 BMW M4 GTS

New High Performance Model for the Road and Track

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
THE AUTO CHANNEL


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2016 BMW M4 GTS

THE HAGUE - October 6, 2015: BMW presented a disguised M4 GTS prototype at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance and has now released pictures and details. Let’s look at the super sporty Bimmer that will be one of the models to add pizzazz to the BMW’s Centennial celebrations in 2016 and will arrive in the showrooms – indeed also in the US – in spring 2016.

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2016 BMW M4 GTS

Because of the new nomenclature, the fastest, track-ready M-model of BMW’s compact Series does not have the number 3 in its name, but the number 4. Remember the 3 is for the sedan and the coupe/convertible carry the number 4. But whatever the name is, the M4 GTS is continuing the tradition of special models from M GmbH, of which the 2010 M3 GTS and the M3 CRT (2011) was the last ones. (GmbH is German for "Company with Limited liability).

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2016 BMW M4 GTS

The very first details of the upcoming model were released when BMW presented the M4 MotoGP safety car earlier this year. In August, visitors of the Pebble Beach event have seen the disguised M4 GTS, the car was also spotted testing at the Nürburgring. In the meantime BMW presented its water injection technology, which debuted in the engine of the M4 safety car.

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2016 BMW M4 GTS

In the M4 GTS the technology is combined with the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 368 kW/500 hp with 600 Nm/442 pound-feet of torque.




With the use of CFRP, carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, for the bonnet, front splitter, roof, rear spoiler, instrument panel bracing tube and rear diffuser, the M4 GTS has a curb weight of only 1,510 kg/ 3,329 pounds, resulting in a power -to-power ratio of 4.1 kg per kilowatt, or 3.0 kg/hp. The M4 GTS speeds from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a limited top speed of 305 km/h/189.5 mph.

And, speaking of the Nürburgring, BMW says that the new GTS lapped the Nordschleife in 7.28 minutes!

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2016 BMW M4 GTS

Furthermore, the new M-car marks the world premiere of OLED, Organic Light Emitting Diodes, in a production car. With this technology, BMW snatches the world premiere of the first production car, remaining a step ahead of Audi, which presented OLED on its e-tron Coupe Concept that debuted at the IAA auto show in Frankfurt three weeks ago. The benefit of OLED is that this type of lighting uses less energy and offers the possibility to dim variably.

The BMW M4 GTS will undoubtedly offer a fantastic and pretty exclusive driving experience for just 700 customers worldwide, as this is the number of cars that will be built. We cannot wait to head to one of the race tracks and get into the M4 GTS for the first drive! Please stay tuned.