2021 BMW M4 GT3 racer shown in official pictures

The new BMW M4 GT3 racer has been partially revealed alongside its disguised road-going sibling ahead of a full launch in September. The model will replace the current M6 GT3 that first hit the track in 2016, and has since achieved a number of impressive results. 

This new racer has been developed in parallel with the road-going M4 Coupe, a car of which not only donates its basic chassis and platform, but also the S58 turbocharged straight-six engine. Although final outputs have yet to be confirmed, they will need to adhere to the appropriate GT3 engine regulations, likely matching the road car’s 503bhp power figure.

> New 2020 BMW M4 partially revealed alongside GT3 racer

Though still hidden under a thin layer of disguise, the latest images reveal the use of the same controversial grille as its road-going counterpart, only sporting a more free-flowing design for optimised cooling. 

While the underlying construction of the M4 GT3 will share plenty with the road car, the competition car is significantly wider and lower, with a full FIA-approved crash structure built within the sleek new coupe body, not to mention the usual mix of race-specific components around the drivetrain, transmission and differential.

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BMW won’t race the new M4 GT3 in a full year’s competition in 2021 either, instead using selected races in that season as a rolling test bed before factory and customer teams launch with a full assault on GT3 classes around the world in 2022.

While it’s important for manufacturers to be seen to be investing in new-tech-style racing series such as Formula E or the new hybrid-entry WRC, the continued participation in traditional racing classes – especially for cars such as these with such a close connection to their road-going stablemates – is as crucial as ever for performance brands such as BMW M GmbH as they continue to diversify in the constant hunt for lucrative market share.