BMW M4 GT3.
BMW M MOTORSPORT MEDIA GUIDE.
FOREWORD.
Dear Media Representative,
With this Media Guide, it is a great pleasure for me to present our new
BMW M4 GT3, which, over the past few months, we have been able to
develop to the point at which it is race-ready, despite the adverse
circumstances.
The new BMW M4 Competition (fuel consumption combined:
10.2 – 9.9 l/100 km acc. WLTP, 10.2 l/100 km acc. NEDC; CO2 emissions
combined: 233 – 227 g/km acc. WLTP, 234 g/km acc. NEDC) provides
the perfect basis for the BMW M4 GT3, whose engine was designed
from the outset for use at the racetrack. This underlines how road car
and race car development always go hand in hand at BMW M GmbH.
racing customers with a car, with which they can seamlessly build on
the success they enjoyed with the BMW M6 GT3 – and to impress more
customers and acquire more teams with the BMW M4 GT3.
The new car offers state-of-the-art technology, thanks to our technology
partners. They are among the best in their respective fields, and we
are delighted to have them supporting us on the development of the
BMW M4 GT3 with their specific know-how and areas of expertise.
That is the perfect basis for a successful new race car.
Development work on the BMW M4 GT3 is now on the finishing
straight, and the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is the perfect stage,
on which to present the car in its BMW M Motorsport livery and thus to
herald the final run-in to the first race outings.
We can all hardly wait to see our teams in action at racetracks all over
the world with the BMW M4 GT3 from 2022. We want to provide our
Markus Flasch
CEO BMW M GmbH
This is an interactive brochure.
Click on the tabs below to choose a specific chapter.
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
2
INTRODUCTION.
BIRTH OF A NEW ICON.
At 09:40 on 18th July 2020, the wait was over: the BMW M4 GT3
completed its first kilometres at the roll-out at the BMW Group plant in
Dingolfing. The moment when BMW works driver Augusto Farfus left the
garage for the first time was a very emotional one for everyone involved at
BMW M Motorsport. At the same time, it also represented a milestone and,
at that time, highlight of a development process that began in early 2019 with
CFD computer simulations.
In February, the 590-hp P58 engine hit the test bench. From the middle of the year,
the first tests were performed in the BMW Group wind tunnel, using a 60-percent scale
model of the car. The first test chassis for the BMW M4 GT3 was produced at the start of
2020 at the BMW Group plant in Regensburg. After this, the test car, which was used for
the roll-out, was assembled within about six weeks in the BMW Motorsport workshop. This
was followed in 2020 and 2021 by many test sessions, during which the car was constantly
optimised on its way to being race-ready. The new car already has over 14,000 test kilometres
under its belt – meaning greater driveability and reliability. The goal: to significantly reduce
lifecycle costs and maintenance expenditure compared to its predecessor. Together with
BMW Team RMG, BMW M Motorsport will continue its intensive test work over the course of
the year, adding initial test races to the programme. The BMW M4 GT3 will make its race debut
on 26th June 2021 at round four of this season’s Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). From 2022,
the car will then be in action in the hands of BMW M Motorsport teams in top GT racing series
and endurance races around the world.
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
3
The purchase price of the BMW M4 GT3 begins at € 415,000 net – that is € 4,000
less than the price of its predecessor, the BMW M6 GT3, and similar to that of its
competition. The “Competition Package” is available as an option ex factory for an
additional charge. This includes useful optional features, integrated and tested
specifically for use in endurance races. For example, additional headlights, spring
travel sensors, a rear radar/camera system and a system for measuring tyre
pressure/temperature. As a special extra, the package includes an exclusive training
day in an in-house BMW M4 GT3 simulator.
The close collaboration between BMW M Motorsport and the production developers
at BMW M GmbH also plays an important role in the progress of the BMW M4 GT3:
the cars are assembled directly at BMW M GmbH in Garching, near Munich. The
use of the BMW Group’s test facilities also has key advantages. For example,
various whole-car and component test benches can be used to measure
performance, vibrations, efficiency and roll resistance. The BMW M4 GT3 has
undergone tests on the engine test bench and roller dynamometer. On top of
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
this came intensive work in the wind and climate tunnel, as well as a test in the
acoustic channel, in order to promote the noise measurement set-up and
silencer development with noise emission for the BMW M4 GT3. But this
state-of-the-art channel can do far more. In series production it is used,
among other things, for sound development and to configure driving
and interior noise.
When developing the BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Motorsport can count
on the support of some proven and strong technology partners:
Akrapovič, BMW M Performance Parts, Endless, FANATEC, H&R,
KW Automotive, Schaeffler and Shell. One extraordinary project is
the world’s first steering wheel that can be used in both a real
race car and a race simulator, which was developed together
with FANATEC. It was demonstrated to the public at the end
of 2020 at the BMW SIM Live Event in Munich.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
4
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ICON.
01/20 – 04/20
Drive test bench, production of test chassis,
virtual crash test, wind tunnel
10/20
Endurance test at the
Slovakiaring
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
12/20
Demonstration of steering
wheel at BMW SIM Live
08/20
Tests in Miramas
and Vallelunga
05/20
Assembly of test car
JAN
03/21
Test in Almeria
SEP
OCT
NOV
05/21
Test in
Vallelunga
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
04/21
Test on the
NürburgringNordschleife
02/06/21
Presentation at the
Nürburgring 24 Hours
09/20
Test in Most
18/07/20
Roll-out in Dingolfing
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
11/20
Test at the Lausitzring
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
02/21
Test in Monteblanco
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
26/06/21
First test race
at NLS 4
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
JUN
From 2022
Race outings
in the hands of
BMW M Motorsport
teams
MEDIA CONTACT.
5
CAR DATA.
COMPARISON: BMW M4 GT3 VS. BMW M6 GT3.
DIMENSIONS.
TECHNICAL DATA.
BMW M4 GT3
BMW M6 GT3
Length
5,020 mm
4,975 mm
Width
2,040 mm
2,046 mm
Height
1,308 mm (variable)
1,308 mm (variable)
Wheelbase
2,917 mm
2,901 mm
Wheel size
12.5 x 18 inch, front
13 x 18 inch, front
3 x 18 inch, rear
13 x 18 inch, rear
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M4 GT3
BMW M6 GT3
Engine
P58 3.0l straight six
M TwinPower Turbo
P63 4.4l V8 engine
M TwinPower Turbo
Capacity
2,993 cm3
4,399 cm3
Output
up to 590 hp
up to 580 hp
Specific
Output
197 hp/l
132 hp/l
Transmission
Xtrac 6-speed gearbox
Ricardo 6-speed gearbox
Clutch
Electro-hydraulic
Hydraulic
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
6
FACTS ON
THE BMW M4 GT3.
Already completed more than 14,000
kilometres of testing. Goal by end
of 2021: more than 20,000 test
kilometres – including under race
conditions.
Straight six-cylinder engine roughly
40 kilograms lighter than the V8
engine in the BMW M6 GT3
=> Lighter engine, better weight
distribution.
Significant improvements: driveability,
cost efficiency, operation
Purchase price: from € 415,000 net.
Engine: Modifications compared to
S58 engine in the BMW M4 Competition
in the following areas: installation
angle, dry sump, engine-mounted
oil tank with integrated oil/water
exchanger, intake system with charge
cycle split and two throttle valves,
exhaust system with charge cycle split,
engine mount and attachment adapted
to GT3, rear torsional vibration
dampers.
– Driveability: Driving behaviour
and cockpit equipment more
comfortable, including for amateur
drivers, lower tyre wear, greater
consistency.
– Cost efficiency: Far lower lifecycle
costs than its predecessor,
significantly longer maintenance
intervals for engine and
transmission.
Steering wheel: Adjustment and
activation of essential settings for driver
in race mode, e.g. traction control, radio,
ABS, engine mapping, windscreen
wipers, drink system. Produced in
cooperation with FANATEC for use in
both real car and race simulator.
Transmission: Trans-axle design,
sequential, straight-toothed 6-speed
gearbox, further development of the
gearbox in the BMW M8 GTE with
improvements regarding increased
runtime, cost efficiency and performance.
– Operation: Many basic settings
are possible directly via the steering
wheel, no need to connect a laptop.
Clutch: Electro-hydraulic, thus lower
wear, operated via paddles on steering
wheel, no need for clutch pedal, stall
prevention, partially-automated start up
possible.
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
BMW M Track Cockpit: Allows many
basic configurations of the systems in
the car without connecting a laptop or
special software, e.g. preselection of
charging pressure graph, selection of
series-specific functions, adjustment of
pit speed, selection of fuel type, system
diagnosis, sensor calibration.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
Cockpit: BMW M safety seat in
accordance with latest FIA standard,
new air conditioning concept with cockpit
air circulation for significantly greater
efficiency and vastly improved driver
comfort, air conditioning system easy to
maintain and twice as powerful as in the
BMW M6 GT3, steering wheel, pedals
and centre console can be adjusted,
dimmable illumination of controls,
display and switch arrangement for
best possible ergonomics => maximum
comfort in interior, particularly important
in endurance races.
Tyres: The BMW M4 GT3 has been
tested on tyre types from different
manufacturers, in order to be optimally
prepared for the conditions faced in a
wide range of racing series.
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
7
BMW WORKS DRIVERS
ON THE
BMW M4 GT3.
“The BMW M4 GT3 has retained the strengths of its
predecessor, while at the same time ironing out any
weaknesses. As a driver, you feel right at home in the
BMW M4 GT3 from the word go. It is very easy and
consistent to drive, which obviously has a positive
effect on tyre wear. It is great fun to drive.”
Jens Klingmann
“I felt very comfortable in the BMW M4 GT3 from
the first moment. It is not only easy to drive, but also
very user-friendly. All the buttons in the interior
are exactly where you want them as a driver.”
Philipp Eng
“As someone who has done an awful lot of racing in
the BMW M6 GT3 in recent years, I noticed immediately
what a big step forward the BMW M4 GT3 will be.
The car has been very good on all the tyre makes we
have tested. That gives me a lot of confidence looking
ahead to future races.”
Nick Yelloly
“My first impression of the BMW M4 GT3 was very
positive. The basis is very strong. The compromise
in terms of driveability, on the one hand for us
works drivers and on the other hand for amateurs,
has been achieved very successfully.”
Marco Wittmann
“For me, it is an honour to be so heavily involved in
the development of the BMW M4 GT3. Thank you,
BMW M Motorsport! The BMW M4 GT3 makes a
very good impression. The driving experience is
very good.”
Augusto Farfus
“I like the aggressive look of the BMW M4 GT3
with its big kidney grill. I drove the car relatively
early on in the test phase and even then I noticed
what an excellent basis it has. The balance is very
good and it gives me a very good feeling as a driver. That is incredibly important.”
Bruno Spengler
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
“The balancing act of developing a GT3 car that,
on the one hand, is able to hold its own against the
extremely strong competition in this segment and,
on the other hand, works perfectly for both professional
racing drivers and amateurs, is a huge challenge for
a manufacturer. BMW has a vast wealth of experience
in this regard, which I believe it has brought to play
perfectly in the BMW M4 GT3. Quite simply, the whole
package is good.”
Martin Tomczyk
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
8
DESIGN.
BMW M DESIGNTALK WITH MICHAEL SCULLY
AND ANNE FORSCHNER.
From series production to the race track – and back: In a new video (see QR code),
BMW M GmbH offers insights into the development of the new BMW M4 GT3
racing car and identifies some fascinating similarities between the new flagship
model in the BMW M Motorsport line-up and the BMW M4 Competition
production model.
In the BMW M Design Talk, Anne Forschner, Exterior Designer BMW M4
Competition, and Michael Scully, BMW Group Designworks Global Automotive Director, first talk about the most striking design feature of the
two cars: the BMW kidney grille. “All BMW M cars have a polarising
effect, which means they do not automatically appeal to everyone.
Their impact on people is both physical and emotional,” said
Forschner. “The kidney grille retains the production car’s perimeter
geometry, while their interior surfaces have been opened-up
and celebrate the care and feeding of the race engine’s
enhanced cooling requirements for the M4 GT3”, explained
Scully. At the front of the BMW M4 GT3, he points out more
special details, with which his team was directly oriented
towards the production model.
Viewed from the side, it is clear that the racing car implements the same
c onstellation of design elements as the production car to define the bodyside.
The roof, with its two longitudinal fins, and the heavily raked rear window are
also identical in form on both the BMW M4 Competition and BMW M4 GT3.
These elements enable an ideal flow of air to the racing car’s rear wing.
The greatest differences between the two cars can perhaps be found at the rear.
“The tail of the BMW M4 GT3 is familiar in some areas, but in others it looks very
different,” said Anne Forschner. “The racing car is 75 millimetres wider on each
side, but we have carried over the rear lights from the production car and the
rear contour of the boot lid is also the same,” added Michael Scully.
Forschner points out how the many likenesses between the duo, which already
give the standard model a very sporty appearance and provide an excellent
basis for the race version, clearly reflect how the two cars were developed:
“From the road to the race track and from the race track back to the road.”
Meanwhile, Scully is fulsome in his praise of his colleagues from series
production. “The BMW M4 Competition production model represents a
wonderful basis on which to make a racing car. It has iconic elements and
eometry geared to delivering high performance and efficiency.”
g
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
9
ENGINE.
BMW M ENGINE TALK: BMW M4 MEETS BMW M4 GT3.
In the BMW M4 Engine Talk video (see QR code), Marcus Engelke, Project Manager
Drivetrain BMW M4, and Ulrich Schulz, Head of Drivetrain Design at BMW Motorsport,
highlight fascinating details of the six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo
technology, which was conceived from the outset for both the BMW M4 Competition
and the BMW M4 GT3.
already in place. Engelke and Schulz explore in detail how the engine is positioned and
installed in the different cars, and underline their points with easy-to-understand sketches
on a flipchart. This paints a clear picture of where the specific demands on the
production/racing car engine lie and how BMW M GmbH has risen to the task of meeting
those challenges.
“510 hp, 650 Newton metres (479 lb-ft) – this is the most powerful straight-six engine
we’ve ever fitted in a production car,” said Marcus Engelke to kick off the video. “590 hp,
700 Newton metres (516 lb-ft) – this is the most powerful straight-six engine BMW has
installed in a racing car since the days of the BMW M1 Group 5,” added Ulrich Schulz.
The two engineers go on to describe how incredibly similar the engine in the BMW M4
Competition is to its counterpart at the core of the new flagship model in the BMW M
Motorsport line-up.
As well as presenting the two complete engines, the experts also use the video to delve
into individual components in detail, e.g. the dry sump pan and throttle valves of the
racing engine, and the intercooler in the BMW M4 Competition. They also single out
components which are identical in the two units, such as the connecting rod with pistons
and housing – which was transferred to the racing car in unmodified form.
With components of the power unit in the production M model – including the crankcase,
cylinder head, crankshaft drive, crankshaft and connecting rod – also designed to deliver
maximum performance on the track, the perfect groundwork for the race-spec unit is
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
10
A WORLD’S FIRST: THE
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
FUSION: MOTORSPORT MEETS SIM RACING.
During the digital BMW SIM Live
Event in December 2020, BMW SIM
Racing presented a spectacular
world first, which takes the transfer of
technology between real and virtual motor
racing to a totally new level: the steering
wheel for the BMW M4 GT3, which was
developed jointly by BMW M Motorsport and
sim hardware producer FANATEC. What makes
it so revolutionary? It is the first steering wheel of
its kind that works in both a real car and a
simulator. Made of carbon, it is a motorsport design
with illuminated buttons and magnetic dual-action
shift paddles, also made of carbon.
While the steering wheel is in use at all the tests with the
real BMW M4 GT3 race car, and is permanently being
optimised, it will go on sale to sim racers in the second
quarter of 2021. Parallel to FANATEC commencing sales, a
documentary film on the development of the hybrid steering
wheel, which combines the worlds of real and digital motor racing,
will be released on the Amazon Prime streaming platform.
“The first time I heard of the idea to design the BMW M4 GT3 steering
wheel to be compatible with a simulator, I was flabbergasted – because
I was thrilled by the concept from the word go,” said BMW works driver
Philipp Eng, who demonstrated the steering wheel at BMW SIM Live 2020
and plays a main role in the documentary. “You have to take your hat off to
the pioneering role that BMW Motorsport and Fanatec have taken on here,
and to the courage to implement a project of this kind. I know the people who
were involved in the development at BMW Motorsport and at FANATEC, and
never doubted that they would design a superb steering wheel. Compared to the
steering wheel in the BMW M6 GT3, for example, the new wheel has extremely good
ergonomics. It is very comfortable to hold. You can tell that real professionals have
been at work in every area.”
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
11
PARTNERS.
SIDE BY SIDE.
AKRAPOVIČ.
Akrapovič is the leading manufacturer of
premium exhaust systems for motorcycles
and performance cars. Founded in 1991 by
former motorcycle racer Igor Akrapovič,
the brand has grown to international
prominence through the successful support
of leading racing teams
www.akrapovic.com
BMW M PERFORMANCE PARTS.
With the components and products from
BMW M Performance Parts, the motorsport
DNA from BMW is clearly felt, even off
the racetrack. Developed with motorsport
expertise, perfectly tailored to the respective
model, and combinable to meet individual
requirements – that is the range from
BMW M Performance Parts. The retrofit
components for the drivetrain, chassis,
aerodynamics and cockpit significantly
improve driving dynamics and underline
the sporty tone of both the exterior
appearance and the interior ambience
of the car in question.
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
TIMELINE.
ENDLESS.
Endless Brake Technology Europe AB is
the Endless brand sales and technical
centre for the European market, and
handles all sales and technical support
including dealers and customer teams.
They are also responsible for product
development and product adaptation for
the European market and have a direct
technical and support cooperation with
Endless Advance Co. Ltd.in Japan
producing these top-of-the-line brake
products
www.endless-brake.info
H&R.
H&R Spezialfedern GmbH & Co. KG is one
of the leading manufacturers of high-quality
suspension components for automobiles.
The current range includes parts for a wide
range of models with more than 4,000
applications. H&R stands for intensive
technology transfer from international
motorsport into the development of
innovative suspension components
for road cars.
www.h-r.com
SCHAEFFLER.
As a leading global supplier to the
automotive and industrial sectors,
the Schaeffler Group has been driving
forward groundbreaking inventions
and developments in the fields of
motion and mobility for over 70 years.
We design both rotary and linear motion,
in automobiles, machines, wind turbines,
and many other industrial applications.
www.schaeffler.de
FANATEC.
Realistic simulation hardware, built by
sim racers, for sim racers. While supporting
famous real motorsport and esports
championships, FANATEC is partnered
with BMW Motorsport, developing products
that close the gap between virtual and real
racing, including the Podium Steering
Wheel BMW M4 GT3, the first ever wheel
developed simultaneously for sim hardware
and a real race car.
www.FANATEC.com
KW AUTOMOTIVE.
The right suspension for every demand - the
suspension manufacturer KW automotive is
the market leader and innovator of individual
suspension solutions for road and racing
vehicles. With its immense range of
suspensions, state-of-the-art production
technology, development, and test centre
as well as setup and adjustment services
on the KW 7-post rig, KW has been operating successfully in the motorsport industry
and aftermarket industry for more than
20 years.
www.kwsuspensions.de
SHELL.
Shell Lubricants produces and sells a wide
range of lubricants. We produce lubricants
used in sectors such as consumer
motoring, heavy duty transport, mining,
power generation, general manufacturing.
Our involvement in Motorsport, among
others with BMW Motorsport, provides us
a test bed to bring race quality lubricants
to customers on the road.
www.shell.de
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
12
MEDIA CONTACT.
BMW M MOTORSPORT CONTACTS.
Andrea Schwab
Spokesperson BMW M
Martin Schleypen
Product Communication
BMW M Automobiles
Phone: +49 (0) 151 – 601 60988
E-mail:
[email protected]
Phone: +49 (0) 89 – 382 37889
E-mail:
[email protected]
Media Website.
www.press.bmwgroup.com
FOREWORD.
INTRODUCTION.
Daniela Tadday
Media Relations Manager
BMW M Motorsport
Phone: +49 (0)151 – 601 24 545
E-mail:
[email protected]
Benedikt Torka
Spokesperson BMW Motorsport
Tel.: +49 (0)151 601 32455
E-Mail:
[email protected]
BMW Motorsport on the web.
www.bmw-motorsport.com
TIMELINE.
CAR DATA.
FACTS.
FEEDBACK.
BMW M DESIGNTALK .
BMW M ENGINE TALK.
BMW M4 GT3 STEERING WHEEL.
PARTNERS.
MEDIA CONTACT.
13