BMW Unveils Facelifted M4 GT3 Evo Ahead of Nurburgring 24-Hour Enduro
In a move that is set to shake up the GT3 racing landscape, BMW took the wraps off its updated M4 GT3 Evo at the Nurburgring on Wednesday night, just days before the iconic circuit hosts its annual 24-hour enduro on 1-2 June. The facelifted version of the GT3 challenger arrives only three years after the original M4 GT3 was introduced in 2022 as a successor to the M6, defying the typical four-year cycle for GT3 updates.
Collaboration and Testing
BMW collaborated with former DTM squad RMG to develop and test the evo package, with factory drivers Jens Klingmann, Bruno Spengler, and Augusto Farfus all playing a crucial role in putting the car through its paces. The Bavarian marque emphasized that the evo version of the M4 GT3 focuses on more than just performance improvements, with drivability, efficiency, and reliability also receiving significant attention.
Aerodynamic and Technical Upgrades
The updates include smaller rear-view mirrors, larger air outlets on the front-wheel arches, and an altered adjustment range on the rear wing to enhance aero efficiency. Additionally, the M4 GT3 Evo features new anti-roll bars on front and rear axles, larger rear brake discs, and an easier-to-adjust differential to reduce tyre and brake wear. The headlights and tail lamps have also been revamped as part of the new package. To save weight, dark areas of the livery have been left unpainted and left as raw carbon fibre.
Pricing and Availability
The retail price of the BMW M4 GT3 Evo has been set at 578,000 euros, a significant investment for customer teams looking to stay competitive in the GT3 arena. BMW customer teams will continue to race with the original version of the M4 GT3 in the remainder of the 2024 season, with the new update only being made available to customers from 2025 onwards.
Motorsport Boss’ Comments
Speaking about the updated M4, BMW motorsport boss Andreas Roos said:
“The BMW M4 GT3 has achieved more than 70 victories and countless major successes since its introduction. I particularly remember the DTM titles in 2022, the victory at the 24h Spa-Francorchamps in 2023, and the title wins in the North American IMSA series. I am convinced that the EVO model of the BMW M4 GT3, as well as that of the BMW M4 GT4, will contribute to playing in the first league of GT racing in the coming years and celebrating many more great victories. I thank everyone involved in the development of the cars.”
Nurburgring 24 Hours and Future Prospects
BMW is eyeing victory in this weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours at the Nordschleife after a Rowe Racing-entered M4 GT3 finished second to Frikadelli Racing Team’s new Ferrari 296 GT3 last year. As the GT3 landscape continues to evolve, the updated M4 GT3 Evo is poised to play a significant role in the world of endurance racing, including the WEC 2024 and WEC 2023 calendars. With its focus on drivability, efficiency, and reliability, the BMW M4 GT3 Evo is set to be a force to be reckoned with in the FIA WEC and beyond.
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