If the E92 M3 was more than enough for most people, and the E92 M3 GTS is a hardcore version of that, then one has to wonder what insane levels of performance do the 2016 M4 GTS offer? A car based on a “normal” F82 M3, already one step ahead of the E92 platform. And who in the right mind is capable of driving one to the limit.
2016 BMW M4 GTS Review
Well, let’s start with BMW’s statement. They’re claiming this is their most agile and most powerful M4 they’ve ever created. With 493 horsepower under the hood, no one doubts that. As ridiculous as that sounds, the fact that they’ve managed to lose an additional 200 pounds over the standard M4 is what’s crazy. If you didn’t before, after reading this, you probably want one. Well, with only 700 of them in existence, 300 of which in the US, it will be pretty difficult to find one.
Oh, did we mention the looks? It looks as good as it drives. With a new paint scheme in the traditional GTS colors of gray and orange, except this time it will offer orange wheels and the gray body, it certainly looks like it means business. The wheels are brand new custom made for the GTS and so is the rear wing, which some people seem to like while others would gladly see it removed. Either way, the fact that this car has a presence and will be easily noticed is undeniable.
Digging down deeper into the 2016 BMW M4 GTS’ skin and layers we find the really important upgrades that have been done to it. For starters, there’s a new water injection system. The first time such a system has been fitted to a legal road going vehicle. What it does and the way in which it does it is nothing short of genius.
Water is absorbed from the surrounding air and is then sprayed into the M4’s intake manifold in the form of very small drops (mist). This causes it to evaporate, lowering the intake air’s temperature in the process. Now obviously if you have a lower temperature, you can push the limit of the engine and the turbochargers even further, just because that safe zone between normal operating temperature and maximum allowed temperature has been raised.
The result is the above mentioned 493 horsepower and 442 foot-pounds of torque. The engine hasn’t been fundamentally changed in any way, any yet that’s an increase of 68 horsepower and 36 foot-pounds of torque. Needless to say, the lower temperature allowed the turbochargers more boost and a better spark timing, giving the insane increase over a stock system that we find in the GTS.
As with every BMW, power is welcomed, but it’s the suspension that’s the heart of the vehicle. And this new M4 GTS is no exception. It features a three-way adjustable M suspension, giving the car the perfect compromise for street and race track use, although we guess the race track is probably where it wants to be.
In the front, we find 19-inch wheels sitting on 235 section Michelin Pilot Sports Cup 2 tires and the back is even more ridiculous with 20-inch 285 section combined with same tires. Add all of this together, along with the engine and the 7-speed DCT it’s mated to, and what you get is a result of 7 minutes and 28 seconds of lap time around the Nurburgring Nordschleife, truly impressive.
Another thing making a debut on this car is the BMW Organic Lights with OLED technology. OLEDs have an edge over LED lights when it comes to adjustability and actual visibility. Rather than having the light shoot out at points like on LEDs, OLEDs distribute light evenly and homogeneously, illuminating more while keeping or surpassing the actual visible light quality. They can also be triggered individually, allowing for a unique lighting style on the taillights.
To reach the 200-pound weight loss, the 2016 BMW M4 GTS had to lose the rear seats, and it’s not like anyone owning this car would ever need them or use them. The front ones have been replaced with carbon fiber bucket seats, weighing in about half as much as the standard seats. The door panels have had a decent diet too and are now minimalistic to say the best.
Carbon fiber can be found on the new vented bonnet which is now 25% lighter when compared to an aluminum equivalent, thanks to the carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The front and rear aero additions are also made of carbon-fiber, meaning that both the front splitter and the rear wing together weigh less than a normal aluminum wing. As we’ve grown accustomed to everything from BMW, the fact that the roof is also CFRP doesn’t come as a surprise anymore and is to be expected.
Speaking of expectations, here’s one not a lot of people saw coming. The new M4 GTS comes in just three color options: Sapphire Black metallic, Frozen Dark Grey Metallic and Alpine White. The Acid Orange, the last GTS, was painted with can be found all over the car, including the wheels, splitter and even the interior stitching which is a nice touch.
We should mention that there is a Clubsport package (this one is really for hardcore fanatics) suited for anyone who’s planning on taking the car to the track regularly. This gives you an orange roll cage, six-point harnesses, and even a fire extinguisher. If ever there was a car destined for the track, it’s the 2016 M4 GTS with the optional Clubsport package.
The Conclusion
The 2016 BMW M4 GTS is a hardcore version of the normal M4 which will terrify most people. If you’re one of the lucky people who own one, we salute you. If you’re feeling brave and would like to buy one, good luck. Because so few will be offered, it’s difficult to find one, and the fact that they’re so rare means they won’t be cheap. You can look at it this way, however. Not only will you get to enjoy driving it, but if you manage not to crash it for a few years, its price will probably go up significantly. Win-win.
