BMW M4 GTS

So here is surely the BMW M4 we’ve all been waiting for. An M4 that’s fast, agile and engaging, a proper M car (and remember, M stands for Motorsport). A car that’s stand-out special and electrifies the senses. Rather than the current disappointing M4 that is slightly leaden in its responses and a little too anodyne in its driving demeanour.

In many ways the M4 GTS succeeds. It is the fastest production BMW there’s ever been. It is sharp, agile, turns heads and assails the senses rather than assuages them. But it’s far from an unqualified success, as we’ll soon discover.

More power, less weight, more excitement

The recipe is simple. Take an M4. Dial up the power (by almost 70bhp) and the torque (by 37lb ft) – mostly due to water cooling of the engine’s intake manifold. This lowers the intake air temperature and allows for more turbo boosting of the (twin-turbo) 3.0-litre six.

This water-cooled induction is a production-car first (though it’s been used in racing). A small water tank in the boot needs to be topped up, on average, every five or so petrol refills. A pricey (and handsome) new titanium exhaust system also helps boost power. It certainly improves the music, although the enhanced soundtrack is all exhaust, not the lovely howling suck of induction that past M cars have serenaded us with.

Then take out just over 60kg of weight by stripping the interior (out go the back seats and, probably needlessly, the door speakers), and using carbonfibre for the bonnet, front splitter, bucket seats and carbon ceramic brakes.

The suspension is modified to improve handling and driving feedback. It includes adjustable racing-car style dampers, adjustable ride height, thicker anti-roll bars, improved steering feel and a rigid connection between rear axle subframe and body (so no rubber bushings). Plus there are track-like Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

The BMW M4 GTS: head-turning style

Buy a GTS and the world will know you’ve bought a very special M4. Its gold wheels (below), small aeroplane-sized (adjustable) rear wing, deep gold-ringed front spoiler and, on our Clubsport version test car, gold painted roll cage, all advertise that here’s car designed for Silverstone not driving to Sainsbury’s or cruising through South Kensington.

Personally, I find it all too Midlands tuning shop rather than Munich thoroughbred in style, but then I’ve never much liked tarted cars.

The racy exhaust note also advertises its track breeding, complete with bark, snarl, cough and extra loud bellow.

It sounds, and looks, fast.