BMW M4 Safety Car
[Not a valid template]Clearly a tantalising limited edition-run and a sub-eight second Nürburgring lap time is not enough for BMW with regards the M4 GTS, since said 493bhp weapon will be on safety car during the 2016 DTM season. The Bimmer – of which just 700 have been made – thus joins baby sister M2 on-track, the latter having already been confirmed as the official safety car for this year’s MotoGP season.
Aside from much appreciated (but not necessarily needed) marketing fodder, what purpose does the M4’s new role serve? Well, given that the move marks further investment in the DTM from the reigning manufacturer champions – particularly helpful after a 20-year absence – 493bhp, 442lb ft of torque, and a 3.8 second 0-100kph time might come in handy against M4 DTMs, Audi RS5 DTMs and AMG C 63 DTMs capable of 270kph at full pelt.
Said 3-litre TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in the GTS is mated with the same seven-speed dual clutch automatic found in both the road-going M4 and its M3 Siamese twin, but produce nearly 75bhp more than either. Alongside, the gutsy powertrain, the new M4 GTS is also equipped with LED lightbar, a newly designed front apron, and ‘Acid Orange’ M light alloy wheel clad with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2performance tyres. Plus FIA-mandated safety cell and six-point harness. Change the ‘4’ for a ‘3’, and the GTS safety car certainly wouldn’t look amiss on Donut Media’s ‘Evolution’ video…
