Australian site carsales is reporting that BMW is planning a lightweight, track-focused, GTS version of its M4 coupe as part of the company’s 100th birthday celebrations in 2016.
While an increase in power from the twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine looks likely the focus of the GTS model – much like the legendary CSL of old – will be on weight savings.
With the forthcoming M4, scheduled to be unveiled at the Detroit motor show, already weighing in at less than 1 500 kilograms, M division engineers are reported to be looking at shredding a further 100 kilograms off of this curb weight.
Expect the hardcore version of the M4 to feature a manual transmission and have items like rear seats deleted from the specifications list. The use of Carbon-fibre is likely to be stretched from the existing roof and and boot lid treatment on the M4 onto the bonnet and front wings of the new model. There’s even talk of the current steel doors being replaced with aluminium examples.
“For what we are planning, look more to the M3 GTS than the CSL. We have concepts for a special model and this (the M4) will be the homologation basis.”
“It’s difficult for a CSL today. Major steps that we would have considered, like thinner glass, lighter seats and wheels, and less sound deadening, have already been taken in the production M4.”
What’s more, BMW’s M division is insisting that contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have lessons to learn from the carbon-fibre heavy construction of cars such as the BMW i3 and i8 sportscar.
“We know they are saying that, but look around those cars. A lot of stuff we can see in an i3 came from M, not the other way around.”
Source: carsales
