Next BMW M4 GTS spotted

BMW's hardcore M4 GTS has been spied testing ahead of its launch in 2022 and is set to offer more power, motorsport-inspired aerodynamics and a track-bred driving experience.

Caught driving on public roads in Germany, Instagram user actu.auto-fr posted the first image of what's almost certain to be the fastest BMW M4 ever produced.

Despite only snapping one image of the flagship M car, the single rear view is revealing as it shows how the BMW M4 GTS will feature numerous detailed changes over the standard M4 coupe that have been introduced to ensure it has what it takes to battle the Porsche 911 GT3 and Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.

Featuring a larger adjustable rear spoiler, the M4 GTS picture shows a redesigned rear bumper that incorporates not only a larger diffuser but subtle aero blades towards the leading edge of the bumper.

This hints at a huge overhaul of the standard M4's aerodynamics to boost stability at speeds in excess of 300km/h.

The new aero could explain the unusual centrally-mounted staggered rear exhaust pipes on the M4 GTS that are thought to have been moved towards the centre of the car to help package an underbody air management system.

Other changes, confirmed from the new pic, include a wider track that hints at a bespoke suspension set-up that's likely to include adjustable dampers.

Under the bonnet, the fastest M4 GTS is set to share the regular BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe's updated version of the S58 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder that in the standard car produces around 353kW.

Since the more powerful Competition version pumps out 374kW of power and 600Nm of torque, the M4 GTS could come with as much as 400kW and 650Nm.

Controversially, with that amount of power and torque, what almost certainly will be the fastest M car ever could come with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

It's rumoured a rear-drive manual transmission will only be offered on the lower-powered entry-level M3 and M4 and ruled out for the GTS.

Helping maximise performance, BMW M is expected to offer the M4 GTS with plenty of weight-saving composite materials for the body panels, roof and wheels.

Against the clock, 0-100km/h is expected to be devoured in around 3.0 seconds and top speed should be close to 320km/h, which would make the incoming M4 GTS around 0.8sec quicker to 100km/h and 15km/h faster than the model it replaces.

There's no word yet on when the M4 GTS is scheduled to make its debut but early 2022 is a safe bet – less than a year after the core M3/M4 range arrives.

Pricing should match the last-gen M4 GTS that sold Down Under for $294,715 plus on-road costs.