Benjamin M. Monroe Blog: BMW M4 GT4 Makes North American Debut at Watkins Glen International During Sahlen’s Six Hours Of The Glen

Friday, June 30, 2017

BMW M4 GT4 Makes North American Debut at Watkins Glen International During Sahlen’s Six Hours Of The Glen

The BMW M4 GT4, BMW Motorsport’s latest customer racing offering, will make its North American debut at Watkins Glen International during the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen this weekend. Completing the BMW Motorsport product portfolio in between the BMW M235i Racing and the BMW M6 GT3, European sales phase of the BMW M4 GT4 opened on May 26th. BMW of North America wanted to ensure the car could be seen at the next available racing weekend in the States and begin the next phase of sales. In the US, the BMW M4 GT4 will be available through select BMW Motorsport Dealers at a retail price of $196,000.

“BMW of North America has received great amount of interest in the M4 GT4 from our customer racing teams,” said Victor Leleu, BMW of North America Motorsport Manager. “We wanted to show the car in the States at the earliest possible opportunity. The M4 GT4 was designed and constructed to allow BMW customer racing teams to successfully compete in an increasing number of series that have embraced the GT4 specification, among them the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.”

The BMW M4 GT4 has carbon- fiber doors, motorsport-specific front splitters and rear wings, and a racing exhaust system. The seat, brakes and pedal box make use of solutions that are also included in the top model in customer racing, the BMW M6 GT3. The interior concept is designed entirely for the comfort of the driver, so that he or she can focus fully on driving.

The BMW engineers went in a totally new direction in terms of engine control software. The BMW M4 GT4 is the first BMW Motorsport car to be fitted with power sticks, which come pre-programmed by BMW Motorsport with different engine performance levels. Thanks to the system, which has been approved by the SRO Motorsports Group and is well protected against manipulation, Plug-and-Play gives BMW Motorsport customers the ability to react quickly and flexibly to changes to the Balance of Performance in various races.

In recent months, the BMW M4 GT4 has been tested by many BMW works drivers, BMW Juniors and customer racing drivers at various racetracks, with different tire types and in a wide range of external conditions. The purpose of this testing was to adapt all the technical applications, such as the DSC stability system and ABS, to meet the demands of motor racing in as much detail as possible. The car has already proven its reliability and performance in races on the Nordschleife and at the 24 Hours of Dubai (UAE).

Technical Data of the BMW M4 GT4:

Dimensions

Length excl. splitter: 4,671 mm
Length incl. splitter: 4,750 mm
Width excl. mirrors: 1,877 mm
Width incl. mirrors: 2,014 mm
Height: 1,369 mm variable
Wheelbase: 2,812 mm

Engine

Type: Six-cylinder in-line, four valves
Technology: M TwinPower turbo technology, direct injection, Valvetronic
Capacity: 2,979 cc
Output: More than 425 hp (depending on balance of performance)
Engine management: Production engine electronics – output via power stick can be adjusted according to defined BoP
Exhaust system: Motorsport-specific lightweight exhaust system

Tank

FT3 fuel cell
Capacity: 125 liters (depending on regulations)

Chassis

Chassis with DMSB-certified welded safety roll cage (compliant with FIA regulations), manufactured by BMW Motorsport
Roof, doors and hood made from CFRP
Makrolon® discs (heated front disc)
Motorsport front splitters made from CFRP
Motorsport rear wing made from CFRP, customizable
Motorsport dive plane made from CFRP
Air jack system
Hood and trunk lid quick-release lock
Lightweight motorsport wiring harness

Suspension

Motorsport-specific control connections
Adjustable motorsport stabilizers front and rear
Specially adapted motorsport shock absorbers (Öhlins) front and rear
Springs, each with three spring rates for the front and rear axle available

Transmission

7-gear dual clutch transmission with motorsport software
Mechanical differential lock with separate cooling
Purpose-built output shafts with wheel bearings adapted for motorsport (rear axle)

Drivers Aids