Cape Town - BMW M GmbH (the automaker's performance team) has built the ultra-exclusive M4 GTS to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the BMW M3.
The GTS will make its public debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor show later in October.
The M4 GTS uses the 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 to 368kW/600Nm.
0-100km/h in 3.8 sec
The GTS has been running the hard yards and shed the pounds to weigh in at 1510kg. It also features an adjustable rear wing.
It's capable of reaching 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 305km/h. The GTS lapped the famous Nurburgring-Nordschleife in 7min28 sec.
Watch the M4 GTS on track:
Power is driven to the rear-wheels, and like the standard version it uses a seven-speed double clutch transmission can be selected via gears manually using either shift-paddles on the steering wheel or the selector lever.
The lightweight carbon ceramic brakes make stopping easier. The three-way M coilover suspension specially tuned for the GTS can be adjusted to individual tastes and applications.
Carbon-fibred seats
Its carbon-fibred bucket seats for the driver and passenger weigh around 50% less than the sports seats in the M4 Coupe.
The GTS uses an Alcantara M sports steering wheel and 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-fibred sandwich construction. Both are covered in Alcantara, and together they enable a weight saving of around 40%.
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.
The GTS uses exclusive M light-alloy wheels in an Acid Orange hue. They are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (front: 265/35 R19, rear: 285/30 R20). The GTS also debuts OLED rear lights will make their series-production debut.
Is it coming here?
BMW SA has confirmed that the M4 GTS will be available in South Africa in the second quarter of 2016. The German company will only release information on how many units will be available next year.