The BMW M6 GT3, which will start racing in 2016 and will replace the Z4 GT3, made its public debut on Friday at the Nürburgring.
BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt has explained that a key improvement of the M6 GT3 over the Z4 GT3 is the powertrain. It will feature a 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, producing over 500 bhp. According to BMW, this engine is almost identical to the road-going engine, with the exception of some intake modifications.
Of course, another difference to the Z4 GT3 is the car’s length. The Z4 GT3 is comparatively short, and BMW believe that the longer wheelbase will help the M6 GT3 when competing against other larger cars such as the Audi R8 LMS Ultra and Bentley Continental GT3. It also aids ‘packaging issues’, and makes the cockpit safer due to the extra space for crash structures.
The M6 GT3’s development program began in February, and a second test car has just been built. There are small chances of a race appearance at the end of 2015, but it is more likely that BMW will hold off its debut until 2016.
The M6 GT3 with Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director, Mareen Braun and Frank van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH. (Credit: BMW AG)
