GT4 is quickly gearing up to become the next battleground for automakers, with an increasing array of manufacturers coming out with barely modified versions of their road-going performance machinery to compete in the same class. And soon BMW will be counted among them.
After announcing its intentions earlier this past summer, BMW Motorsport brought the new M4 GT4 to its year-end Season Review event in Munich – but kept it under wraps as development is still ongoing.
Set to replace the outgoing M3 GT4, the new M4 will slot in between the M6 GT3 and M235i Racing in the German carmaker’s customer racing lineup. It will be closely production-based, but fitted with carbon-fiber bodywork (for select panels), a new exhaust, and upgraded aero.
Once complete, the M4 GT4 will be evaluated by the FIA to determine how its performance capabilities will be balanced against those of its competitors. Then it will be eligible for privateer teams to enter in a growing array of international, regional, and local racing series – including the GT4 European Series, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT Championship, and Continental SportsCar Challenge.
Several test races are in store for the 2017 season before it will be made available to customers in time for 2018. The new M4 will have its work cut out for it, though, as it’ll have to compete with the likes of the McLaren 570S GT4, Aston Martin Vantage GT4, Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, and the forthcoming Mercedes-AMG GT4.
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