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The racing-inspired BMW M3 GTS looks set to take the M3 badge into supercar-rivalling territory. With big tweaks to every component in the M3's technical armoury, the changes make the GTS a true Porsche 911 GT3 RS rival.
The award-winning 4-litre V8 M3 engine has been stretched to 4.4-litres and power increases from 414bhp to a huge 450bhp.
Wearing a bodykit inspired by the WTCC BMW 3-Series racing car, matt black 19-inch alloy wheels and with numerous pieces of trim finished in black, it's certainly got visual attitude. And, unlike the standard M3 there's a jutting chin splitter and raised-level rear wing for maximum downforce.
Great lengths have been taken to reduce weight, including fitting of a carbon fibre roof, binning the rear seats altogether and replacing the front one with slim racing seats and harnesses.
A full roll cage, lighter-than-glass plastic rear windows, titanium exhaust and fire extinguisher mark out its serious intent, but you can still specify air conditioning and a stereo for the journeys to and from the track.
The result is a car weighing 1,490kg - 165kg less than the standard M3 Coupe.
Six-piston front brakes and four-piston rears should be better able to cope with repeated abuse on track. Power is sent to a honed version of the M3's semi-automatic paddle-shift gearbox, with stronger components and a faster shift time.
Expect the BMW M3 GTS to go on sale in May 2010, with a price tag of around £102k.
