BMW M4 GT4 MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT WATKINS GLEN DURING SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN WEEKEND
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.
“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
- Stability systems specifically adapted for BMW Motorsport (DSC/ABS)
Wheels/Tires
- 11 x 18 inch alloy wheels
- Tire dimensions: 300/660 R18* as delivered (*depending on manufacturer)
Brakes
- 6-piston, fixed caliper front, AP Racing
- Diameter of brake disks: 390 mm
- 4-piston, fixed caliper rear, AP Racing
- Diameter of brake disks: 355 mm
- Balance beams for adjusting the brake balance at the front and rear
- Double-suction brake air cooling
Source. BMW
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