Remember how BMW->ke178 tested the M4 GTS camouflaged as a MotoGP Safety Car before unveiling it in 2015? Well, it turns out that the Germans were just trying to be sneaky. They were working on an actual pace car based on the limited-edition M4.->ke4183 The safety car in question will be used in the 2016 DTM season and was revealed with only a week ahead of the competitions' debut at the Hockenheimring on May 7.

The specially equipped M4 GTS will pace the DTM field during the entire 2016 season, which includes nine events in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Russia, and Hungary. The GTS replaces the standard BMW M4 Coupe used in 2014 and 2015. The new safety car will be driven by Jurgen Kastenholz, the official DTM pace car driver since 2010.

"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 the 48-year old. "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->ke148 quickly around the circuit during the caution periods."

The M4 GTS will lead a pack consisting of race cars based on the Mercedes-AMG C63, Audi RS5, and BMW M4.->ke4183

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M4 GTS Safety Car.

2016 BMW M4 GTS DTM Safety Car

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 BMW M4 GTS DTM Safety Car
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the BMW M4 GTS Safety Car special

To make the M4 GTS suitable for DTM race tracks, BMW installed the specific safety car light system with an LED light bar on the roof, LED flashers in the lower front bumper grille, as well as a flash mode function for the LED headlamps. Finished in Alpine White, one of four exterior colors available for the M4 GTS, the coupe kept its Acid Orange accents, but received "DTM Safety Car" stickers on the doors and engine hood.

While most road-going cars require substantial cabin modifications to become safety cars, BMW had to change very little thanks to the fact that the M4 GTS can be had with a roll cage from the dealer. The safety feature is included in the optional Clubsport Package and also adds six-point seat belts adapted for racing, and a fire extinguisher. As a result, the Germans only needed to add a radio system for interference-free communication between the safety car crew and the race officials.

The drivetrain is identical to the standard road car and brings together a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Output sits at 493 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of twist, an extra 68 horses and 37 pound-feet over the regular M4. The GTS needs only 3.7 seconds to hit 60 mph and tops out at 190 mph, which is more than enough on a race track packed with powerful DTM-spec cars.

Priced from $134,200 in the U.S. and limited to only 700 units worldwide, the M4 GTS is the rarest and most expensive vehicle to pace the DTM series.

BMW M4 GTS

Launched for the 2016 model year, the BMW M4 GTS revived the "GTS" badge after five years. Limited to only 700 units, 300 of which will be shipped to the United States, the M4 GTS features a race-inspired exterior and a modified interior that doesn't have rear seats and can be equipped with a roll-cage and a fire extinguisher. The coupe also comes with an innovative water injection system that pumps water directly into the plenums of the intake manifold, where it is vaporized, resulting in a lower compression temperature in the combustion chamber. The process allows the turbochargers to operate with increased boost pressure and better spark timing, which translates into more horsepower and torque. What's more, the system reduces thermal stress on all performance-related components, prolonging engine life. The M4 GTS is priced from $134,200. The standard M4 coupe retails from $65,700.

Read our full review on the BMW M4 GTS here.