Photos – BMW Z4 GT3 and BMW M3 GT4

Ekris Motorsport and BMW Group Netherlands held an event where a small number of journalists were invited. The event featured no less than the new BMW 1M Coupe, M3 GTS, M3 GT4 and Z4 GT3 — such a unique and exciting line-up of powerful M cars.

In 2010, BMW Motorsport began to offer private teams a new addition to the BMW fleet: the Z4 GT3 built on the current generation E89 model. This sports car gave the opportunity for drivers and teams to compete in international and national championships in accordance with GT3 regulations – such as the FIA GT3 European Championship, International GT Open and the ADAC GT Masters – as well as in 24-hour endurance races.

The Z4 GT3 has a 4.0 liter V8 engine found in the current M3 under its hood, delivering 480 horsepower. The engine is controlled by the modern ECU 408, while the Power400 control unit is responsible for operating all actuators. The engine is matted to a sequential, six-speed gearbox.

Ekris Motorsport and Racing Team Holland, Dutch GT4 Championship teams, will join forces for the 2011 season. The new team will race a pair of BMW M3 GT4 in the Dutch GT4 Championship, one car will also run in the GT4 European Cup.

Here is a description of the M3 GT4 offerings by BMW:

The concept behind the GT4 category, for which the BMW M3 GT4 was developed by BMW Motorsport, is a simple one: The racing cars should have as much as possible in common with production cars, with only minor modifications allowed. Against this background, the production model of the BMW M3 has once again proven to be godsend for the engineers in Munich. The car, which epitomises sportiness from the word go, was enhanced with the safety features required for use on the race track. Then the competitive GT4 racing car was ready for action.

A safety cell made of extremely rigid, precision steel tubing is welded to the steel body required for usage in motorsport at the BMW Plant Regensburg. Thanks to numerous measures designed to reduce weight – such as the use CFRP for the doors or the use of the special plastic Makrolon for the side and rear windows – the BMW M3 GT4 weighs just 1,430 kilograms. The fact that the production model of the BMW M3 already has a CFRP roof was a great help to the engineers when lowering the car’s centre of gravity.

Furthermore, the racing car was given a 100-litre FT3 safety tank and a quick-release, multi-functional steering wheel. The 420 bhp engine remained largely untouched. The exhaust system is entirely made of titan and boasts catalytic converters for specific use in racing. The power transmission is handled by the mechanical six-speed gearbox, which is also used in the production model. The only alterations are the use of an adjustable differential lock and additional cooling for the rear axle differential. Adjustable racing shock absorbers allow the BMW M3 GT4 to be optimally adjusted to the characteristics of the circuit.

Some important adjustments were made to the brakes, in order to cope with the strains of the race track and offer drivers maximum safety: six-piston brake callipers with 378 mm brake discs are used on the front axle. The rear axle features four-piston brake callipers with 355 mm brake discs. In addition, the drivers are supported in difficult situations by a race ABS and DTC with specific mappings.

Source: Ekris Motorsport

For more information on BMW M, contact:

Munich Automobiles Singapore
30 Teban Gardens Crescent Singapore 608927
Showroom: 6899 6996 Service center: 6566 7666
http://www.munichauto.com.sg