This year will be a huge celebration year and farewell tour for the BMW Z4 GT3 that is heading out the door to make way in 2016 for the BMW M6 GT3. The new car has been spotted testing its wares on the BMW test track in Dingolfing, Germany. With testing begun there seems to be no reason the new M6 version of the GT3 won’t be ready for the track in time for the 2016 season. This will give BMW racing lovers two years to enjoy, one to bid farewell to the Z4 which has performed so well and one to welcome in the new M6 which is expected to be a fantastic performer as well.
The power for the new M6 is expected to come from a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that offers up more than 500 horsepower. The transmission attached will be a six-speed sequential rear wheel-drive model and the overall car weight will be less than 2900 pounds. With these kinds of stats the car is expected to fly around the track and be one mean beast when the green flag drops each week and the M6 takes its start off the line.
On the body of the new M6 race car there are several air scoops and heat extractors to help increase the performance of the engine to suck out every part of the 500 horsepower. The front and rear fenders also have air vents, another way the car is working to improve performance and the huge rear spoiler will help keep this car planted on the track to allow the driver to feel confident pushing the limits of the new and amazing race car from BMW. Other modifications for the M6 include a dry sump oil system and a safety cage that were both developed and built by BMW Motorsport.
While the outgoing Z4 GT3 has had an impressive five year run that started in 2010, and actually offered more horsepower at 528, the new M6 will now have its turn at turning less power into longer runs and more speed with a much lower body weight than the Z4. The BMW racing team seems to be excited by this new venture and with testing begun, will have the entire 2015 racing season to work out all the details of what needs to happen on the track.
BMW racing fans can now enjoy the Z4 GT3 in its final year and marvel at the performance it has put up over the time, but it’s certainly time to forgo the old naturally aspirated 4.4-liter V8 in favor of the new turbocharged M6 that will prowl the track next racing season. It will be interesting to compare the overall performance of the two, once the M6 has had its time to shine, and see which one of the two brought home more trophies for the BMW shelves. With this change I will certainly be watching the racing news very closely over the next couple years to see the overall results.
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