BMW has unveiled the most powerful M4 yet – the 2016 M4 GTS. The M4 GTS is the ultimate M4 for the track thanks to its new innovative water injection system that boosts power to 493 horsepower and its track ready chassis.
BMW has unveiled the most powerful M4 yet – the 2016 M4 GTS. The M4 GTS is the ultimate M4 for the track thanks to its new innovative water injection system that boosts power to 493 horsepower and its track ready chassis. BMW says that the M4 GTS recently recorded a lap time of 7 minutes 28 seconds around the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
The M4 GTS is powered by a 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine with 485 horsepower, 16 percent more than the standard M4. Peak torque has been increased by 10 percent to 442 lb-ft. The six-cylinder is mated to a 7-speed M double-clutch transmission. The M4 GTS only takes 3.7 seconds to reach 60 mph, on the way to a governed top speed of 189.5 mph.
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The 3.0L engine is fitted with a unique water injection system that is being offered for the first time ever on a production car. How does it work? Water is injected as a fine spray into the intake manifold plenum chamber where it evaporates (phase change), significantly lowering the temperature of the intake air. This action reduces the final compression temperature in the combustion chamber, minimizes the risk of knock and allows the turbocharged engine to operate with higher boost pressure and advanced spark timing. The result is increased power and torque, and a substantial improvement in efficiency.
Thanks to several weight saving techniques the M4 GTS weights in at only 3,329 pounds, which gives it a weight to power ratio of roughly 6.5 lbs/hp. Some of the ways that BMW cut the weight is by removing the rear seats, using aluminum for the control arms and axle subframes, carbon fiber reinforced plastic for the hood and roof, ceramic brakes and a titanium exhaust system.
Another first for a production car are the rear lights that feature BMW Organic Light with OLED technology. OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) generate their light using wafer-thin layers of semi-conducting organic materials. Unlike LEDs, which emit their light in the form of points, OLEDs light up over their full surface with a homogeneous effect.
BMW is only going to produce 700 units of the M4 GTS, with 300 of those destined for the U.S.
Source: BMW
