BMW M Motorsport have announced that their new M4 GT3 has clocked up 12,000 kilometres in 2021 already, as they test their latest development in Spain.
The car is expected to be on competitive GT grids from 2022, and several factory drivers have put it through its paces in Monteblanco and Almeria.
The focus of these tests has been “drivability and reliability“, as BMW want to reduce the running and maintenance costs associated with the previous model.
Some of GT racing’s household names including Martin Tomczyk, Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler, Nick Yelloly and Sheldon van der Linde have been taking the car on race stints and endurance runs, racking up around 60 hours of on-track testing.
Part of their Almeria test was geared towards gauging the car’s behaviour with various tyre compounds from different manufacturers, as they assess the car’s compatibility for different series’ in its current trim.
BMW claim to be delighted with the ease of changing the car’s setup on-track. In their statement issued on Wednesday, they said,
It is possible to change most electronic settings in the car, without having to connect it to a laptop. Last-minute changes to control systems or sensors can be made via the multifunction steering wheel, making it much quicker and easier to make changes.
Jens Klingmann said after the Almeria test, “There was a really good atmosphere among us drivers during the last test drives because we were able to complete a lot of laps and we all agree that the BMW M4 GT3 is a lot of fun.
“It is very easy and consistent to drive, which has a positive effect on tyre wear and we made progress with the development of lots of systems.
“Naturally, there are still lots of things to sort out, but the question marks are consistently being replaced with exclamation marks.”
Tomczyk agreed,“Since I had only driven the car in the wet once before, the Almeria test was like a first for me. We were really well prepared, and everything went fantastically with very few exceptions. I also really enjoy driving the car. I’m feeling very positive.”
BMW Group is testing various components of the car “to measure performance, vibrations, efficiency and roll resistance“, as well as conducting engine tests and “intensive” wind tunnel testing.
Testing will continue throughout April and May as BMW further develop the M4 GT3 for a 2022 debut.
