VIDEO: BMW M4 GTS at the Nurburgring

BMW M has released a video to prove that its M4 GTS is as quick, or even faster around Germany’s Nurburgring than both the recently replaced Ferrari 458 Italia and McLaren 12C.

Recording a time of 7:27.88, the M4 GTS’ record drive was driven by BMW M engineer and race driver, Joerg Weidinger.

Setting the fastest time BMW has ever recorded (for a road car) around the ‘Ring, the GTS comes standard with some nifty extra kit to extract the lap time.

First off, the GTS gets an uprated 368kW/600Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six — that’s 51kW/50Nm more than the regular coupe. This is enough to launch it, from standstill, to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and onto a speed limiter that’s been raised from 250km/h to 306km/h - handy on the long straights.

To help liberate extra power from the standard car’s engine is a new motorsport-inspired water-injection system.

The trick new tech injects a fine spray into the intake manifold plenum chamber where it evaporates quickly, lowering the temperature of the intake air. The reduced temperature in the combustion chamber reduces the risk of unburnt fuel and engine knock. This, in turn, allows engineers to turn up the boost and use earlier spark timing. The result? More power, torque and even efficiency over the standard set-up.

There’s just one catch, the system needs a five-litre tank that needs topping up at every refill, if driven hard.

Also helping boost power is a new titanium quad-pipe exhaust that has a wider 80mm diameter over the standard M4’s pipes.

Only available with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, when you’re not in the mood to set hot laps the M4 GTS can average a very respectable 8.3l/100km and emit 199g/km of CO2.

Weight-saving has been a crucial part of increasing the GTS’ on-track performance. The GTS gets standard carbon-fibre bucket seats that weigh 50 per cent less, a lighter centre console, lightweight door cards and, even, fabric door pulls. Finally, the rear seats have been junked.

Externally, the bonnet, roof and front splitter are all made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastics.

Despite all the painstaking attention to detail the M4 GTS adds weight back in with standard sat-nav, air-conditioning, adaptive LED headlights and, even, parking sensors. The result is a less than impressive-sounding kerbweight of 1510kg — only a 62kg saving over the coupe.

For added high-speed stability, there’s a huge rear adjustable spoiler that has three different settings. Under the rear of the car there’s also a carbon-fibre diffuser that’s been optimised for downforce.

To cement its track day tool credentials, the GTS is also available with a no-cost Clubsport package that adds a roll cage (painted in Acid Orange), six-point race harnesses and a fire extinguisher.

In some markets a Carbon Fibre Interior Performance Pack can be added that introduces an Alcantara steering wheel, an OLED race display which includes LED shift lights. The race display also includes a g-meter and stop watch and has the ability to store up to 50 lap times, top speed and lateral and forward acceleration.

BMW’s previous record for its road cars was set by the previous M3 CSL (E46) that recorded a 7:50 time. The standard M4 coupe, meanwhile, is claimed to lap the Nurburgring in 7:52.