BMW M3 GTS

BMW has released more details on the M3 GTS - the stripped-out, lightweight, beefed-up successor to the M3 CSL.

They are good details. We shall present them to you... now.

The GTS gets a revised version of the M3's 4.0-litre V8, stroked out to 4.4 litres and developing a hairy 450bhp at 8300rpm. That's 36bhp more than the normal M3, and there's more torque, too - 324lb ft of the stuff from 3700rpm.

In a car weighing 1,530kg - 70kg less than the standard M3 - that means a power-to-weight ratio of 294bhp per tonne.

The GTS is good for a 0-62mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 183mph. Perhaps most impressively, it'll nail the standing kilometre in 22.5 seconds.

Other good bits? The GTS is lowered by 16mm at the front and 12mm at the rear, and gets bigger brakes and a revised version of BMW's dynamic stability control system.

There's a new front apron and rear wing, and the GTS is supplied with six-point safety harnesses and a roll cage extension. This is a serious piece of kit, in other words.

Better still, BMW has released a video of test engineer Gunter Sillinger whanging the GTS around the Nurburgring.

OK, it gets a bit boring after a minute or so, but it's worth watching for the lairy launch at 20 seconds and that distinctly committed exit to a right-hander around the 30 second mark. Watch and enjoy...

Sam Philip