The BMW Z4 GT3 has already notched up two race wins in the ADAC GT Masters during the 2015 season, but the successor to the compact supercar with its 4.4-litre V8 engine is now in an advanced stage of preparation. The M6 GT3, the new flagship BMW based on the 6 Series Coupé will compete for victories and titles in GT racing in national and international race series like the ADAC GT Masters, starting in 2016.
The BMW M6 GT3 promises more performance and better drivability for pro and Gentlemen drivers with lower operating costs. Interested customer teams can purchase the car as of 15th September 2015 for a net price of 379,000 Euros. On this day, the BMW M6 GT3 will be presented for the first time in a BMW Motorsport racing design, without camouflage livery, at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main (DE). The BMW M6 GT3 has incorporated many findings from BMW Motorsport's works projects - while at the same time ensuring reasonable costs for customers.
"Confirmation of the price of the BMW M6 GT3, and the announcement of the official sales launch on 15th September are further important steps on the road to the first race outing next year," said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. "We remain completely on schedule with the development of our new figurehead on the GT racing scene. The basic work of the past few months is now followed by a period of fine-tuning. After all, our approach is to provide our customers with a competitive car from the word go. Presenting the BMW M6 GT3 in a racing design for the first time at the IAA in Frankfurt will be a special moment."
The 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, which has only been slightly modified compared to the production engine, generates up to 585 hp, depending on the classification. The entire car, including its self-supporting steel chassis, the welded FIA-approved safety cell, the carbon fibre crash structure at the front and carbon fibre reinforced plastic crash element at the rear, weighs less than 1,300 kilograms. The BMW M6 GT3 also sets new benchmarks when it comes to driveability, ergonomics and safety. It already goes beyond the GT3 regulations for 2016.
The BMW M6 GT3 is also the most economic GT sports car that BMW has ever built. For example, the running costs for the power train on the new car will be roughly 30 per cent lower than those of the BMW Z4 GT3. As early as when it was being developed, great importance was placed on ensuring that also the spare parts offer good value for money.
"At the recent tests I was really impressed with the driveability of the BMW M6 GT3," said Andy Priaulx (GB), one of the BMW works drivers who continuously optimised the car out on the test track. "It's really a big step forward compared to the BMW Z4 GT3 - and we have recently seen in Spa that this car is already operating at a very high level. The rate of development of the BMW M6 GT3 has been amazing. Most of all, the reliability of the car already looks more than promising. The BMW M6 GT3 has real potential - and I simply cannot wait to race it."