Review of the new BMW M3 GTS

Motorsport makes demands on a car that are quite different to those associated with everyday driving. Even a focused performance model like the iconic BMW M3 makes real compromises to keep comfort, refinement and practicality acceptable for road use. If motorway cruising, urban traffic jams, supermarket shopping trips and family outings were dropped much lower down the M3's list of priorities, it could get a whole lot faster around any race circuit you care to mention. A faster M3 is quite a prospect and just so nobody has to strain the old grey matter trying to imagine it, BMW built the M3 GTS.

The GTS version of the M3 is road legal but it's hard to see anyone buying one who didn't intend to use it extensively on track. It's only away from the public roads that this comprehensively modified version of the standard 420bhp V8-engined M3 could conceivably be pushed close to its full potential.

This is no software-based performance boost for the M3. The key components and systems that make the standard M3 one of the fastest coupes on sale have been thoroughly revised for the GTS, starting with the engine. Capacity of the mighty V8 is up from 4.0-litres to 4.4 litres with a longer cylinder stroke and an enlarged combustion chamber helping it achieve a 450bhp maximum power output. That's 30bhp up on the M3. Peak torque is increased by 40Nm to 440Nm and this helps the car record a 0-62mph time of only 4.4s. Keep your foot planted and the top speed is 190mph.

A specialist racing exhaust system has been developed for the GTS with titanium rear silencers designed to provide optimum exhaust flow and an engine note to get the juices of everyone in the vicinity flowing. Doing the shifting is a version of the M Dual Clutch seven-speed automatic gearbox with modifications made to its gearchange characteristics. The braking system uses six piston callipers acting on discs that are 18mm larger in diameter at the front and four pot callipers with discs expanded by 30mm at the rear.

"If you thought that the BMW M3 couldn't get any more hardcore, think again"

There's little chance of any M3 GTS owner managing to keep a low profile but just to make absolutely sure, the car is only available in bright orange. More important to its primary goal of going very fast indeed, the GTS also weighs 70kg less than the standard M3 Coupe on which it is based. The weight reduction is achieved by dispensing completely with the rear seats and swapping the glass in the rear screen and side windows for polycarbonate. The roof is made of Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Plastic as on the standard M3 but the GTS also uses that lightweight material for its centre console and door panels.

Owners have the option of adjusting numerous aspects of the set-up on the M3 GTS from its aerodynamics to its suspension. The front apron and rear wing are designed to have their geometry varied in order to give the right amount of downforce. The rear wing is actually modelled on the one from BMW's World Touring Car Championship racecar. The suspension can be lowered by up to 16mm at the front and 12mm at the rear. It includes adjustable dampers and owners who know what they're doing can also alter the camber on the front and rear axels to their requirements.

The motorsport focus of the M3 GTS is clear to see in its specification. A roll bar behind the B pillars, six-point safety harnesses for both seats and a fire extinguisher all come as standard. The cabin isn't exactly the last word in luxury with racing bucket seats replacing the cosseting leather sports seating in the standard M3 and Alcantara covering most of the available surfaces including the fat-rimmed steering wheel.

M3 GTS owners are unlikely to rack-up significant mileages on the road, so fuel consumption will be less of an issue than with some less focused sports cars. The specialist components are designed for hard track use so it's safe to expect high levels of reliability and residual values for this highly specialised M3 should hold firm.

If you thought that the BMW M3 couldn't get any more hardcore, think again. The German manufacturer's fabled M Division has been working overtime to create the M3 GTS. Modifications to the engine, gearbox, brakes, suspension and aerodynamics edge this M3 closer than any before it to a pure race specification. With the rear seats on the skip and power up to an astonishing 450bhp, this is a road legal M3 created for track use and built to win.

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