BMW M4 GTS Looks Slick as 2016 DTM Safety Car
The BMW M4 GTS has been named the official DTM safety car for the 2016 race season.
Powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, the BMW M4 GTS boasts 500 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque thanks to water-injection technology. The special high-performance sports coupe is limited to 700 units and is capable of sprinting to 62 mph from a standstill in just 3.8 seconds while top speed is pegged at 190 mph.
To separate the DTM safety car from a standard BMW M4 GTS, the German automaker has outfitted it with the mandatory safety features that actually comes in the form of the optional Clubsport Package. That includes an Acid Orange roll bar located behind the front seats, six-point harnesses especially adapted for racing and a fire extinguisher. It was also necessary to install the specific safety car light system with an LED light bar on the roof, LED flashers in the distinctively designed front apron as well as a flash mode function on the LED headlights.
SEE ALSO: 2016 BMW M4 GTS Pricing to Start at $134,200
Also added are clearly visible “DTM Safety Car” decalsand a radio for interference-free communication between the safety car crew. On all four corners are forged and burnished M light alloy wheels in Acid Orange, featuring an exclusive 666 M star spoke styling. The wheels are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires in 265/35/19 front and 285/30/20 rear sizing.
Continuing as the official DTM safety car driver since 2010 will be Jürgen Kastenholz, who has been driving the BMW M4 Coupe DTM safety car for the last two years.
“The BMW M4 excels through neutral handling, fantastic response and enormous power delivery starting at low engine speeds for optimum acceleration out of tight corners,” said Kastenholz. “The new BMW M4 GTS will be even better. So I will have complete trust in the car from the word go – and this is absolutely essential to be able to lead a pack of 24 DTM racing cars quickly around the circuit during the caution periods.”
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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