BMW M4 GTS Uses Water-Injection System to Make Track-Day Power

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.

 

Posted by George Kennedy 

                               

 

BMW has a long history of making incredible cars that bridge the gap between road and racing cars. From the iconic 3.0 CSL to the M3 CSL, this notion of street-legal track toy is something that BMW holds dear (even if while it continues to water down the brand with vehicles like the X4 M40i).

The latest example of this is

The BMW M4 GTS is a car designed for track and road use, bearing the curvaceous looks of the road-going version of the M4 but with cutting performance technology.

At the heart of the M4 GTS is the same stellar turbocharged inline-6 engine from the road-going M3/M4, but it adds something pretty novel–a water-injection system that is able to significantly boost power of the 3.0-liter engine. Basically water is injected into the intake manifold, where it is instantly heated up by the engine and turned into a mist. This brings down the temperature of the air in the intake, which brings down final compression and thus allows the turbochargers to work harder.

 

 

 

The result of this process is an output of 493 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, put to the rear wheels through a seven-speed M dual clutch transmission. That’s an improvement of 68 horsepower and 36 pound feet of torque over the standard M3/M4.

 That added power is made even more effective by the M4 going on a diet in GTS form. The widespread use of carbon fiber, removal of rear seats and other nips and tucks all help bring curb weight down to 3,329, which is a reduction of 200 pounds. At this time is it unclear if that represents the U.S. or international curb weight.

The M4 GTS also gets an impressive three-way coil-over suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, and staggered wheels. The wheels measure 19-inches in the front and 20 inches in the back, and are fitted in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

 BMW did not release pricing information, but it was quick to boast another number–the 7:28 lap time it put up at the famed Nurburgring. Another important number is 300–the portion of the 700-car production run slated for the U.S. market!